The Maggie Anderson Endowment Fund aims to assist talented writing students at Kent State University with writing-related travel expenses. Funds may be used to offset the costs of writers’ conferences, workshops, and travel.

Guidelines:

• You must be a current Kent State University student.
• You must not have received a Maggie Anderson Endowment scholarship in the past.
• Submissions must include 10 pages (or poems) of a creative writing sample.
• All entries must be original and may be simultaneously submitted to other publications.
• Submissions must begin with a cover letter explaining why and how a scholarship would assist you and your writing-related travel. The cover letter should include a detailed budget for how you would use the funds (up to $1,000). Funds may be used for airfare, lodging, conference registration, and other related costs. 
• WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN MAY, 2026.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for the best poem submitted by a Kent State University Honors student. 

• This award is nonrenewable. Undergraduates may reapply.
• The competition is open to any Honors undergraduate currently enrolled at Kent State University.
• Kent State University honors students may submit to this contest and the undergraduate poetry contest as long as different poems are submitted. You may not submit the same poem to both contests.
• All entries must be original and unpublished.
• Each entrant may submit one poem only.
• The poem should be no more than 100 lines long.
• The poet’s name should not appear on the poem.  
• Entries must be submitted between November 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026. 
• WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN MAY, 2026.
  
   

A total of $3,000 in scholarships will be awarded for the best poetry submitted by Kent State University undergraduates.

   1st Place - $1,500

   2nd Place - $1,000

   3rd Place - $500
 

• These awards are nonrenewable. Undergraduates may reapply.
• The competition is open to any undergraduate currently enrolled at Kent State University.
• The scholarship awards are to Kent State University only. 
• Kent State University honors students may submit to this contest and the honors poetry contest as long as different poems are submitted. You may not submit the same poem to both contests. 
• All entries must be original and unpublished.
• Each entrant may submit one poem only.
• The poem should be no more than 100 lines long.
• The poet’s name should not appear on the poem. 
• Entries must be submitted between November 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026. 
• WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN MAY, 2025.
  
  
  
  
  
   

Thomas Michael Freeman was a graduate of Kent State University. His grandfather, Tom Freeman Sr., and family have established an endowed scholarship in Tom's honor to support Kent State University students. The Thomas and Mimi Freeman Family Endowed Scholarship supports students who share Tom's love of nature, dedication to others, belief in the goodness of people and sense of gratitude for all life has to offer. This will be an annual, one-time award granted to one or more students

This $1,000 scholarship will support a writing project for one or two students each year. 

GUIDELINES

1. All Kent State University undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least part-time and in good standing at the university are eligible to apply. 
2. Your submission should include 5 pages of original poetry and a two-page essay in which you describe your personal writing philosophy in relationship to nature, environmental advocacy, or a similar theme. Please upload the poetry and essay as one file.
3. Applications open on November 1 and close on April 1 of each year.
4. Scholarship winner will be notified in May.
    

Maj Ragain (1940-2018) was a beloved creative writing professor and mentor. In memory of his many years serving the Kent community, his family has established the Maj Ragain Poetry Scholarship. 

This $1,000 award will support one or more students in leading five 1-hour community poetry workshops at the Wick Poetry Center (or other approved location) and organizing a culminating poetry reading at Last Exit Books in downtown Kent, Ohio. The workshops and final reading must take place during the academic year following receipt of the award (August 2026-May 2027), though the exact schedule will be determined by the recipient(s). If multiple recipients are selected, each will lead five workshops, and the culminating reading will be a joint event with guidance from Wick Poetry Center staff. 

GUIDELINES

1. All Kent State University undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least part-time and in good standing at the university are eligible to apply. 
2. Submit 5 pages of original poetry and a detailed plan outlining how you would design and lead the five community poetry workshops. The proposal (contained within one single submission) should reflect an understanding of poetry’s value within a community and include a general overview of each workshop. Though not required, you may also describe relevant qualifications such as coursework, prior teaching or workshop experience, or mentors you plan to consult.
3. Applications open on November 1 and close on April 1 of each year.
4. The scholarship winner will be notified in May.