Scholarships and Awards
In addition to scholarships offered by the university and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, we offer program-specific scholarships in English.
The Department of English offers the following scholarships to new and continuing English majors. Applications for all scholarships can be accessed through Virginia Tech Scholarship Central. As eligibility for need-based scholarships is based on FAFSA data, students who wish to be considered for English Department scholarships should fill out the FAFSA each year (not just when they apply to Virginia Tech.)
For questions about English Department undergraduate scholarships, contact Dr. Ashley Reed, Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Distinguished Alumni Board Scholarship
Each year, one incoming first-year or transfer student is selected to receive a scholarship sponsored by the English Department’s Distinguished Alumni Board. This scholarship is open to students entering the university with a declared major in English, Creative Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication.
The Department of English is grateful to past and present members of the Distinguished Alumni Board for their support of this scholarship!
Giving Day Scholarships
Giving Day Scholarships are supported by donations from alumni and friends of the Department of English who participate in Virginia Tech’s annual Giving Day event. Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication. Students at all academic levels (from first-years to seniors) are eligible. More than one scholarship may be awarded in each academic year.
The Department of English is grateful to the generous donors who make Giving Day Scholarships possible!
Alfred E. Knobler Scholarships
Knobler Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication. Students at all academic levels (from first-years to seniors) are eligible. More than one scholarship may be awarded in each academic year.
Jenkins M. Robertson Society Scholarships
Robertson Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication. Students at all academic levels (from first-years to seniors) are eligible. More than one scholarship may be awarded in each academic year.
Joyce Gentry Smoot Scholarship
The Joyce Gentry Smoot Scholarship is awarded each year to a sophomore student majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication.
G. Burke Johnston Scholarships
Johnston Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication. Though preference is given to juniors and seniors, first-year students are eligible and may apply. More than one scholarship may be awarded in each academic year.
Jay Swami Memorial Scholarships
Jay Swami Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication whose families demonstrate high financial need.
Charles Modlin Memorial Study Abroad Scholarships
Modlin Study Abroad Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, or Technical and Scientific Communication, and those minoring in Language Sciences. Modlin scholarships are applied toward the cost of participating in an accredited study abroad program offered by Virginia Tech or another university.
Sharon Messer Memorial Award
The Messer Award is presented annually to a graduating senior majoring in English, Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing or Technical and Scientific Communication who has overcome hardship while demonstrating a commitment to the love of literature and writing. The winner is determined by a committee of English Department faculty and the award includes a cash prize.
Giovanni-Steger Prize for Poetry
Named for English Department faculty member emerita Nikki Giovanni and former Virginia Tech president Charles Steger, this annual poetry competition is open to all undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. Information about the competition is distributed each fall via English Department and university communication channels. Submitted poems are judged by a committee of faculty, and selected finalists present their work at a public reading. Cash prizes are awarded to the winners. For further information, contact English Department faculty member Aileen Murphy.
We offer a limited number of full-time positions which require 20 hours of work per week, usually fulfilled by teaching two sections of undergraduate first-year writing each semester. The position requires enrollment in 12 hours of graduate credit each semester.
Details about Assistantships for PhD Students:
- Teaching Assistant in the University Writing Program, Instructor of ENGL 1105 or 1106
- Teaching Assistant in Technical and Scientific Communication Program
- Research Assistant
- Assistant Editor of the minnesota review
- Writing Center Tutor
- Assistant to the Director of the Writing Center
Details about Assistantships for MFA:
We offer fully funded graduate teaching assistantships for full time enrollment in the program. A full-time position constitutes 20 hours of work per week. You do not teach during your first semester but will teach composition in your first two years, and creative writing in your third year. The teaching load is 0-1, 2-2, 2-1.
Details about Assistantships for MA:
We offer fully-funded graduate teaching assistantships for full-time enrollment in the two-year MA program. A full-time position constitutes 20 hours of work per week. To fulfill these hours, MA GTAs work as tutors in the Writing Center and teach 4 sections (total) of ENGL 1106: First-Year Writing during their time in the program. GTAs receive training in the University Writing Program before entering the classroom as instructors in their second semester; they continue to receive mentorship and support during all of their semesters of teaching. In general, MA GTAs teach one section of ENGL 1106 in their second semester, two sections in their third semester, and one section in their final semester.
Duration of Funding
We normally offer 5 years of assistantship for funded PhD students, 2 years for MA students, and 3 years for MFA students. Contracts are for one year, with renewal depending on progress in the degree program and satisfactory performance of assistantship duties.
Benefits of Assistantships
Assistantships provide these benefits:
- Stipend
- Tuition waiver
- Health insurance program (see the Graduate School benefits page for details)
Applying for Funding
A question on the Graduate School application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. If you check yes, you will respond to additional questions and be added to our list of candidates. All new positions begin in the fall semester.
Please note that you do not need to submit separate applications to be considered for Graduate Assistantships.
Application Open Dates: Same as admissions
For PhD:
Deadline: January 16, 2025
Contact: Carolyn Commer
For MFA:
Deadline: January 21, 2025
Contact: Matthew Vollmer
For MA:
Deadline: January 17, 2025
Contact: Katharine Cleland