Scholarships

The SBWC Endowed Scholarship Fund

In 2006, SBWC established an endowed scholarship fund with the nonprofit Santa Barbara Foundation to provide scholarships for deserving writing students. We are grateful to many people who made this new fund possible. Special thanks go to Ray Bradbury, Charles Champlin, Santa Barbara Winery and Pierre La Fond for launching the fund at a scholarship reception in June 2006. Our gratitude also goes to those individuals who provided generous gifts, including Steven Anders and The Jefferson Endowment Fund, Monte Schulz, Leinie Schilling Bard, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Diana and Simon Raab, Mary and Barnaby Conrad, and Lawrence and Astrid Hammett. Thanks, too, to those who became lifetime members of our Founders Circle with $1,000 donations.

If you would like to donate to the SBWC Endowed Scholarship fund, please send the amount of your choice to:

SBWC Endowment Fund
PO Box 6627
Santa Barbara, CA 93160

Make checks payable to the: “Santa Barbara Foundation” and please write “SBWC Endowed Scholarship Fund” at the bottom of your check. Gifts to SBWC scholarships through the Santa Barbara Foundation are tax deductible as charitable contributions.

Additional Donation Opportunities

In addition to the long-term Endowed Scholarship Fund managed through the Santa Barbara Foundation, there are two other donation opportunities specifically targeted to the upcoming summer conference. These donations further increase the number of aspiring writers who are given an opportunity to attend the conference.

A tax-deductible donation of any amount which will be awarded separately for the benefit of deserving attendees of the 2008 SBWC. If you’d like to be a donor toward 2008 SBWC Scholarships, please send the amount of your choice to:

SBWC 2008 Scholarship Fund
PO Box 6627
Santa Barbara, CA 93160

Make checks payable to the: “Santa Barbara Foundation” and please write “SBWC 2008 Scholarship” at the bottom of your check. The cost of one full scholarship is $625 ($525 for a young writers scholarship), but donations of any amount are welcome. Like the endowment fund donations, gifts to SBWC 2008 scholarships through the Santa Barbara Foundation are tax deductible as charitable contributions.

Donors may suggest parameters for their scholarship dollars, for example: a scholarship for a poet, for a young writer, for a mystery writer, etc.

A scholarship may be used to honor the memory of a special person.

Members of the SBWC scholarship committee will review all applications and award scholarships based on need and merit.

Donor-designated scholarships allow the donor to specify the recipient of the scholarship. Because they are considered essentially gifts, these types of scholarships not tax-deductible. Arrangements can be made by contacting SBWC.

SBWC Endowment Fund Scholarship Awards

In 2007, we awarded two full scholarships and one partial scholarship through this fund. Congratulations to Jill Stegman of Atascadero, CA, and Anne Cravens of Carpinteria, CA, who received full scholarships, and to Anna Levine of Israel, who received a partial scholarship.

How to apply for a Scholarship to 2008 SBWC

Send a 5-page (1200-1500 words) sample of your writing.

Explain in your cover letter why you need/want a scholarship to the 2008 SBWC.

Include publishing or writing credentials and your goals for your writing career.

Please include your contact information (name, phone #, email and mailing address) on all the materials you send.

Because some of the scholarships will be for young writers (18 and under) and some may be designated for older writers, you may wish to reveal your age when you apply.

You may be required to fill out a financial information form for some of the scholarships (for example, the Jefferson Scholarships).

The scholarship contests have special rules and requirements, which will be announced at the time the contests open.

All applicants and contestants may be considered for SBWC scholarships other than the ones they might be specifically applying for.

Email (preferred) your applications to: with “Scholarship” in the subject line or mail your applications to:

SBWC 2008 Scholarship Application
PO Box 6627
Santa Barbara, CA 93160

Scholarship recipients are chosen by a committee of SBWC faculty members, individuals from the Santa Barbara writing community and the executive director. Our goal is to make it possible for as many deserving writers as possible to attend the 2008 SBWC.

Scholarship List

SBWC Endowment Fund Scholarships Two scholarships to the SBWC will be awarded in 2008 from the Santa Barbara Writers Conference Endowed Scholarship Fund. Applications for these two scholarships must be in by February 15. Two recipients will be notified by February 25.

Editors and Agents Scholarship: A number of agents and editors donate to SBWC so that we can offer a scholarship to a deserving writer. Deadline for application is March 1. Recipient will be announced by March 15.

Community West Bank Young Writers Scholarship The recipient of this scholarship must be 18 or under. Deadline for application is May 15. Recipient will be notified by June 1.

Dennis Lynds Memorial Scholarship Application process and deadline to be announced.

Robert Sellers Memorial Scholarship given by Carol Osterlund Application process and deadline to be announced.

Community of Voices Contest Four winners will receive scholarships to SBWC. The recipients will be chosen on the basis of a contest that will be announced April 1. For further information contact Grace Rachow.

NoozHawk Writing Contest One winner will receive a scholarship to SBWC. Contest guidelines will be announced May 1.

Jefferson Fund Scholarships Ten will be given. The application period is Feb 15 through April 15. These scholarships are for residents of Santa Barbara County, age 18 or older. All applicants must apply according to the SBWC Jefferson Fund guidelines. For further information contact Grace Rachow.

Volunteer for the 2008 SBWC Work/Study Scholarships

Full Scholarships: Ten or more full work/study scholarships will be given. Requires 30 hours of work for the SBWC before and during the conference week. In exchange for your help, you may participate in all regular conference workshops and events.

Half Scholarships: Ten or more half work/study scholarships will be given. Requires 15 hours of work for the SBWC plus payment of $325 tuition. You may participate in all regular conference workshops and events.

Other Volunteer/Scholarship Opportunities:

Philanthropic Volunteer: Donate the 2008 SBWC early-bird tuition amount of $625 via the Santa Barbara Foundation. This tax-deductible donation will be used for a 2008 SBWC scholarship, the recipient being chosen by the SBWC scholarship committee. As a philanthropic volunteer, you may participate in all regular conference events, and you will be asked to volunteer approximately 20 hours of your time before or during the conference week.

Limited Scholarship Volunteer: If you are not able to attend the conference, but would like to volunteer a few hours, choose the limited number of hours you have available and earn tickets to hear SBWC speakers.

If you would like to apply to be a volunteer at the SBWC, contact Grace Rachow.