Columbia Central

Friends of American Writers Scholarship

for continuing graduate students

The Friends of American Writers Scholarship was established by the Friends of American Writers Foundation to encourage and financially support gifted writers enrolled in an English and Creative Writing graduate (Creative Writing, MFA students) program at Columbia College Chicago.

• How to be Considered

  No separate application is required for the Friends of American Writers Scholarship.

  • Students are nominated by English and Creative Writing faculty.
• About Friends of American Writers

  Friends of American Writers (FAW) was established in 1922 to study American literature, to encourage high standards, and to promote literary ideals among American writers. Members are invited to attend the luncheons, serve on committees that help run the organization or participate in the selection of the award-winning authors.

  Over the years, after an annual lengthy screening process, FAW has honored Midwestern authors or those whose novels or nonfiction are set in the Midwest, by recognition and monetary awards. Those honored are invited to address the FAW membership at the Awards Luncheon.

  Among the many emerging adult authors recognized over the years are Sara Paretsky, Jane Smiley, Toni Morrison, Harry Mark Petrakis, Carl Sandburg, Kevin Fenton, Kalisha Buckhanon, Chad Harbach, Gillian Flynn, and Sara Gruen. Recent award winners include Ethan Rutherford, Celeste Ng, and George Hodgman.

  In 1960, FAW introduced awards for Juvenile Literature authors. Clifford Hicks won the first award for "First Boy on the Moon". Recent winners include Brynne Barnes delightful picture book and Delia Ray's book for young readers.

  Additionally, through the FAW Foundation Fund, students at local universities, recommended by their writing professors, are given recognition and cash awards.

• Scholarship Terms
  • Amount of this scholarship is a stipend up to $3,000;
  • Recipient and an English and Creative Writing Department representative will attend a Friends of American Writers luncheon in November 2025. Recipient will be notified once Columbia receives the exact date of the luncheon;
  • Recipient will receive the stipend in Fall 2025 after they attend the Friends of American Writers luncheon;
  • Recipient must maintain full-time enrollment during the Fall 2025 semester;
  • Graduate studnets enrolled in a 0 credit hour thesis continuance course are not eligible to receive award;
  • The rules and regulations governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply;
  • Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to withhold the scholarship in any year in which, at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee, suitable candidates cannot be found.

IMPORTANT DATES

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