Professional Writing Scholarships

The Professional Writing Program is proud to offer several scholarships funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse. These awards are designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they gain experience in professional writing.

Submission Instructions

Students may apply for multiple awards, but are asked to create individual applications and letters for each award. Preference will be given to those who have not received previous Crouse awards and those who have at least one year left in their degree. Students cannot apply if they are graduating.

For each award you're applying to, please submit your application as a single PDF document to the Director of the Professional Writing major, Professor Bradley Dilger (dilger@purdue.edu) with the subject line: Crouse [Year]: Award Title.

Application deadlines are typically in February.

2023-2024 applications are due February 19, 2024 at 11:00pm EST.

View presentation about scholarships for Professional Writing Association (PWA).

Writing and Publishing Award

Crouse: Writing & Publishing Rubric

The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship for a Professional Writing undergraduate major specializing in Writing and Publishing.

This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they complete their coursework in the Writing and Publishing track of the major.

Applications for the award are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the field. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, an application letter, a resume, and portfolio of work.

To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your accomplishments and career goals
an unofficial transcript
a resume
a portfolio containing two samples of your work in writing and publishing

Technical Writing Award

Crouse: Technical Writing Rubric

The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship for a Professional Writing undergraduate major specializing in Technical Writing.

To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your accomplishments and career goals
an unofficial transcript
a resume
a portfolio containing two samples of your work in technical writing

Past Scholarship Winners

In 2023, awardees were Kat Payne (Writing and Publishing), Mahum Zaidi (Technical Writing), and Sophia Rivera (Study Abroad).
In 2022, awardees were Catherine Gilhooly (Writing and Publishing), Kat Payne (Technical Writing), and Aurora Lyons (Study Abroad)
In 2021, awardees were Natalie Amodeo (Overall), Jacqueline Ketcham (Technical Writing), Aurora Lyons (Writing and Publishing), and Fayth Schutter (Writing and Publishing)
In 2020, awardees were Emily Mast (Overall), Katarina Clase (Technical Writing), Liberty Joson (Technical Writing), Natalie Amodeo (Writing and Publishing), Katelyn Taylor (Writing and Publishing), and Korbyn Torres (Writing and Publishing)
In 2019, awardees were Korbyn Torres (Overall), Natali Ciresi (Technical Writing), Lori Bowes (Writing & Editing), and Elizabeth Robbins (Writing & Editing)
In 2018, awardees were Sarah Merryman (Overall), Emily Jones (Writing & Publishing), Alexandra Paoli (Technical Writing), Caitlin Stamper (Academic Editing Internship), Carly Robinson and Sarah Merryman (Study Abroad)
In 2017, awardees were Blair Newton (Overall), Caitlynn Lawson (Writing & Publishing), Megan Smith (Technical Writing), and Megan Smith (Study Abroad)
In 2016, awardees were Brooke Halteman (Writing & Publishing) and Anita Schafer (Technical Writing)
In 2015, awardees were Shelby Oyer (Writing & Publishing), Brooke Halteman (Technical Writing), and Tanner Heffner (PW/Writing Lab Liaison)

Graduate Awards

The generous funding from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse also funds a number of annual awards for graduate students in Professional Writing, available to Rhetoric and Composition students.