Scholarships

Creative Writing majors at Emory may apply for one of two Grace Abernethy Scholarships:

1. The Grace Abernethy Scholarship (non-genre specific), recognizing achievements in any of the genres taught in Creative Writing except nonfiction
2. The Grace Abernethy Scholarship (nonfiction), recognizing achievement specifically in the nonfiction genre

The Grace Abernethy Scholarships are financial awards from the Grace K.J. Abernethy Fund. The funds are dispersed through the Hawai'i Community Foundation. Any Creative Writing major may receive the scholarships, but majors from Hawai'i receive preference. 

The scholarship amounts are to be determined when awarded. If you are receiving financial aid, the scholarship will be applied to your aid package.

To apply for either scholarship, your Creative Writing major declaration must be finalized; you may be at any stage of completing the requirements. 

Submit the following, as ONE DOCUMENT IN EITHER WORD OR PDF FORMAT, to nora.lewis@emory.edu with "scholarship" in the subject line:

1. A cover sheet with the following information:

• Your name
• The scholarship for which you're applying (non-genre specific or nonfiction)
• Your student ID number
• Your NETID
• Your phone number and Emory email address
• Your class status and expected semester and year of graduation
• Classes you've taken so far to fulfill the major, including the semester and instructor's name (i.e., Creative Writing workshops and upper-level English literature classes), in the following format:
  • Spring 2024, ENGCW 272W-1 Introduction to Fiction Writing, Tiphanie Yanique

2. A sample of your work in nonfiction OR any other genre, or a mixture of genres, but no more than 20 pages total; this may include several pieces. Pages must be numbered. Prose should be double-spaced; poetry may be single-spaced. Playwriting and screenwriting submissions should be in the correct format for each genre.

If you receive need-based financial aid, this award can be applied to replace federal work study. The total amount of any merit and need-based aid, including this scholarship, may not exceed a student’s eligibility or the total cost of attendance; in such cases, the value of the award may be adjusted.

To be eligible for the Tom-Chris Allen Scholarship in Nonfiction, you must be either a Creative Writing major or have taken an Emory Creative Writing Program nonfiction class within the past three years.

(This scholarship is for 2025-26, so graduating seniors are not eligible.)

The Creative Writing Program, at its discretion, may divide the Tom-Chris Allen Scholarship in Nonfiction among two winners.

Submit the following, as ONE DOCUMENT IN EITHER WORD OR PDF FORMAT, to nora.lewis@emory.edu with "scholarship" in the subject line:

1. A cover sheet with the following information:

• Your name
• Your student ID number
• Your NETID
• Your phone number and Emory email address
• Your class status and expected semester and year of graduation
• A list of the courses you’ve taken in Creative Writing, in the following format:
  • Spring 2024, ENGCW 376RW-1 Nonfiction Magazine and Long-form Writing, Hank Klibanoff

2. A 250-word statement that lays out your commitment to nonfiction, the role it has played in your education, and any larger role you’ve played in advancing writing excellence in the larger College.

3. A nonfiction writing sample (up to 20 pages; may include several pieces). Pages should be typed, double-spaced, and numbered.

A transcript is also required. Academic Department Administrator Nora Lewis will obtain the transcript from OPUS separately and add it to your application.

The Tom-Chris Allen Scholarship is valued at up to $6000 and is posted as part of a student’s financial aid award. If you receive need-based financial aid, this award can be applied to replace federal work study. The total amount of any merit and need-based aid, including this scholarship, may not exceed a student’s eligibility or the total cost of attendance; in such cases, the value of the award may be adjusted.