Undergraduate Scholarships and Prizes
If you are thinking about applying for a scholarship either through the Department of English or elsewhere you may want to read “Becoming a Good Scholarship Candidate".
Where to Find Scholarship Opportunities
There are a wide variety of scholarships and writing competitions available to undergraduate students. Visit Scholarships@UW-Madison to learn more.
English Department Awards
Numerous awards, varying from year to year in number and amount are awarded to students majoring in English who have distinguished themselves through their academic achievements and also through service to the college or community.
The Department also holds writing contests each year that are open to all students who are enrolled in courses in the Department of English.
Scholarships
All scholarship applicants must:
- Be declared as an English major (any of the three tracks)
- Have junior or senior standing (a level of 3 or 4 which equates to 54 credits or more)
- Have completed at least 4 courses in the major (4 courses in ENGLISH numbered 215 or higher)
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Have a GPA in the English major of 3.5 or higher
Vivian Mowry English Scholarships
These scholarships are funded through a trust that was established in 1963 by Vivian Mowry, who graduated with a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1910. Awards are made on the basis of "scholastic proficiency and active participation in campus activities."
Mary Brabyn Wackman Scholarships
These scholarships were established by Charline M. Wackman in 1961. Charline was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin; the awards are named for her mother, Mary Brabyn Wackman. Mrs. Wackman was the authoress of many poems, three volumes of which have been published under the titles, "Lilacs by the Roadside," "Primroses on the Hedges," and "Hollyhocks Are Sentinels". Many of her poems appeared in the Rambler, a column in the Wisconsin State Journal in the early 20th century. Awards are made to English majors who are "bonafide Wisconsin residents specializing in literature”.
Helen Black Bennett Memorial Scholarship
This fund was established by the donor, Penelope G. Sticha, in honor of her mother. The fund was established in 1994.
Lila Hicks Furber Scholarship
These scholarships were established in 1995 by Lila Hicks Fruber who graduated with a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin in 1926. After graduation, Lila became a teacher.
Helen C. White Award
Established by Ineva Baldwin, this award is presented to senior women majoring in the humanities who exemplify the sterling character of Helen C. White, a great teacher and scholar in the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin. Each recipient must exhibit high academic standing and a deep interest in the life of the community. Donor Ineva Baldwin indicated recipients should have demonstrated their interest in sharing their humanistic culture with their families and their community.
Scholarship Application Process
Information will be available soon.
Writing Prizes
The Lewis and Vilas prizes are prizes are awarded each spring for exceptional writing accomplishments by students. These awards are given for expository papers of any length and on any subject. Works of fiction and poetry are not eligible for these prizes and only one paper can be submitted by any student. Each submission should have a cover page that includes your name, year in school, title of the paper, instructor's name, and the course for which the paper was written. A brief description of each award is given below.
James T. Lewis Prizes
Established in 1968 and awarded annually for the two best essays written by freshmen in an English Department course; these prizes are approximately $125.
William F. Vilas Prizes
Established by Anna M. Vilas in 1912 and awarded each year for the two best essays written by undergraduates in upper level English Department courses. The Vilas Prizes are approximately $200 for the best essay and $100 for the second best essay.
The Standish Henning Shakespeare Prize
This award was established by Professor Andrew Weiner (emeritus) in recognition of his teacher and colleague Professor Standish Hemming (emeritus). An award of approximately $100 will be given to the best essay written by an undergraduate in one of the upper level Shakespeare courses taught in the department.
Lewis, Vilas and Henning Prize Submission Process
Information will be available soon.
ENGLISH 100 Program Student Writing Awards
English as a Second Language Writing Awards
Creative Writing Awards
Each year writing competitions are held for students interested in the Creative Writing area. See the Creative Writing Website for complete details.
Department of English
7195 Helen C. White
600 N. Park St.
Madison, WI 53706
608-263-3761
800-123-4567
fax: 608-263-3709