English Undergraduate Scholarships

Angelia and Steven Stokes Undergraduate Creative Writing Scholarship

Established in 2021 by the Stokes family, this award provides $8,000 for one year. Available to a student in any year, including first-year, once accepted into the University of South with a declared major in English with a concentration in creative writing student. 

Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship in Southern Writing 

Established in 2022 by the Stokes family, this award provides $4,000 for one year. Available to a student in any year, including first-year, once accepted into the University of South with a declared major in English with a concentration in creative writing student. This scholarship provides a talented writer with a unique opportunity to focus on the varied traditions of Southern literature and its characteristic connection to place. 

Freida G. Maisel Endowed Scholarship

An award of $1500 to one incoming freshman, majoring in English.  Applicant must have an ACT score of at least 28 or an SAT score of at least 1250 (reading + math), as well as a GPA of at least 3.5.

Steve and Angelia Stokes Undergraduate Fiction Award

$1000 award. Applicant must be full-time, have taken (or currently taking) a creative writing course, and have a 2.5 or above GPA.

Steve and Angelia Stokes Undergraduate Nonfiction Award

$1000 award. Applicant must be full-time, have taken (or currently taking) a creative writing course, and have a 2.5 or above GPA.

Steve and Angelia Stokes Undergraduate Poetry Award

$1000 award. Applicant must be full-time, have taken (or currently taking) a creative writing course, and have a 2.5 or above GPA.

Katherine Lawrence Richardson Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 to be awarded to a USA student with junior status. Applicant must be full-time English or Secondary Education major and have a 2.5 or above GPA. Applicant must supply a financial needs statement (personal narrative).

Jean McIver Scholarship

$500 to be awarded to a junior English major or African American Studies minor who demonstrates high academic achievement.

Shelley Memorial Scholarship

Donated by former USA President Moulton and Mrs. Gordon Moulton in honor of her mother, this annual scholarship awards no less than $500 to one undergraduate student for excellence in poetry writing. Applicant must have a 2.5 or above GPA. Applicant must submit 10-15 pages of poetry.

English Department Undergraduate Student Essay Contest

Provides $100 for an outstanding undergraduate student essay written during the previous academic year.  Past winners may re-enter.

Bobby Holmes Scholarship

Poet and writer Bobby Holmes was student editor of the journal Negative Capability as a USA student. Donated by his parents and friends in his memory, the Bobby Holmes Scholarship provides a yearly award for the Editor-in-Chief of Oracle. Dr. Larry Holmes, Bobby’s father, is a professor emeritus of history at USA.

China Barber Memorial Scholarship

The China Barber Memorial Scholarship, established in March 2014 by the USA English Department and the College of Education and Professional Studies, provides an award of $500 to a full-time undergraduate creative writing student.

Eddie Greene Scholarship

The Eddie Greene Scholarship in English, established in April 2015 by The Law Offices of Frazer, Greene, Upchurch and Baker, provides an award of $500 to an undergraduate student majoring in English. Incoming freshman applicants must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and 23 ACT; applicants currently enrolled at USA must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.


Students may apply for any awards or scholarships not previously won. For questions regarding our scholarships, please contact Dr. Nicole Amare.