Finding Scholarships Scholarship Spotlight: Ursinus College Creative Writing Award Written by Shannon Vasconceloson July 15th, 2019 I came to College Coach with close to 10 years of experience in college financial aid offices. I began my career at Boston University, where I counseled students and their parents on the financial aid process and reviewed undergraduate financial aid applications. At Tufts University, where I served as assistant director of financial aid, I developed expertise in the field of health professions financial aid. I was responsible for financial aid application review, grant awarding and loan processing, and college financing and debt management counseling for both pre- and post-doctoral dental students. I have also served as an active member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, coordinating early college awareness activities for middle school students; as a trainer for the Department of Education’s National Training for Counselors and Mentors, educating high school guidance counselors on the financial aid process; and as a volunteer for FAFSA Day Massachusetts, aiding students and parents with the completion of online financial aid applications. Learn More About Shannon scholarship search, scholarships, There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. Every student has some skill, interest, experience, or characteristic that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another. And while we often refer to scholarships as “free money,” scholarships don’t actually come for free. It takes work to thoughtfully consider your strengths and research the scholarships that might be most appropriate for you. While the effort that goes into finding and winning scholarships may be akin to a part-time job, we at College Coach want to make your job a little easier. This on-going scholarship series highlights a new scholarship each week. Check out the below, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover a funding resource that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier. Many high school students identify with the teenage angst embodied in Holden Caulfield, the fictional protagonist of J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece, The Catcher in the Rye, but do you identify with the “quirky brilliance” of Salinger himself? If so, Ursinus College may have a scholarship for you. Scholarship: Creative Writing Award Awarding Organization: Ursinus College Amount: $40,000 annually, renewable for four years. Winner also gets to live in the dorm room once occupied by Ursinus alumnus, J.D. Salinger. Number of Scholarships Awarded: One per year Eligible Students: “Creative writers of outstanding originality and potential.” The major selection criterion is the demonstration of a unique voice in a writing sample. Though less important, markers of academic achievement, such as grades and class rank, are also considered. Eligible College(s): Ursinus College How to Apply: Submit the short Creative Writing Award Application and 10 pages of creative writing, which may include fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, or some combination of genres. Deadline: January 1st Website: https://www.ursinus.edu/offices/scholarships-and-financial-aid/grants-scholarships-loans/creative-writing-award/ Best of luck, and please see the awarding organization’s website for full scholarship details and requirements. Related Resources Read | Posted on May 28th, 2025 Unlocking Your Global Journey: A Guide to Funding Study Abroad Read | Posted on April 28th, 2025 Identity-Based Scholarship Series: Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students Read | Posted on April 7th, 2025 Identity-Based Scholarship Series: Scholarships for Asian American Students
