Creative Writing Scholarships

About Our Scholarships

Each year, the Creative Writing Program awards Glenn Balch Undergraduate Creative Writing Scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in writing and a commitment to the study of craft. Scholarship amounts vary year to year. The Program prioritizes award amounts that make a meaningful difference to the students and their studies.

The family of Glenn Balch generously funds the Undergraduate Creative Writing Scholarships as well as the MFA Prize in Fiction to honor Glenn Balch, the famed Idaho author.

Apply for a scholarship today

How to apply for a Boise State Scholarship:

First Steps:

Fill out the Boise State Scholarship Application.
- Once you fill out and submit this application, you will be auto-matched with scholarships across campus for which you are eligible! Some scholarships require additional materials.
Fill out the FAFSA
- The FAFSA changed significantly in 2024, so even if you weren’t eligible in the past, you may be eligible now. Some scholarships require federal need, so fill out the FAFSA by February 15 to maximize your scholarship chances.
- Students who don’t meet the citizenship or eligible non-citizenship criteria for the FAFSA may still be eligible for need-based scholarships. Complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator and Boise State Scholarship Application. Email the Federal Student Aid Estimator results to scholarships@boisestate.edu, please be sure to include your student ID number.

Other Scholarship Opportunities:

For Idaho Residents: Check out these Idaho scholarships:
- Idaho Opportunity Scholarship: Awards up to $3,500. Apply now through March 1, 2023. You can do this now!
- The Lightfoot Foundation Scholarship: Assists students from 58 towns and cities in the Treasure Valley. Apply March 1 – April 15. Set a reminder.
- Idaho Community Foundation: More than 70 scholarship funds, each with different criteria.
- Review the Private Scholarships page

About Glenn Balch

Glenn Balch was an athlete, a journalist, a horse enthusiast, and he served as a Colonel in the US Army during World War II. A native of Texas, in his twenties Mr. Balch moved to Idaho and soon discovered the enchanting landscape and the wild horses that would inspire him to write adventure novels about wild horses and the American West. The Creative Writing Program is immensely grateful for our continued partnership with the Glenn Balch family.