Department of English

College of Humanities and Sciences

Current StudentsGive

Scholarships and Awards

Several scholarships and awards, many of significant monetary value, are available each year to English majors. While most are based on academic merit, community service, or financial need, the annual departmental writing awards are based solely on writing samples. All students are encouraged to submit to the writing awards, and to apply to any scholarships and awards for which they meet the criteria.

  • Board of Visitors Award: An annual award is given each year to a VCU student with an outstanding GPA (3.7 or higher) who has displayed a history of community engagement on the VCU campus, the local Richmond community, and beyond. Students who wish to be considered for this award should send a letter detailing their community engagement, along with a resume, to John Brinegar at jhbrineg@vcu.edu no later than September 30.
  • Dr. Antonio Masullo Italian Studies Scholarship: This scholarship shall support College of Humanities and Sciences students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, minoring in Italian Studies and/or planning to complete a study abroad/internship in Italy with preference given to those with a minor in Italian. Students will be required to provide proof of their academic trip to Italy in the application if applicable. Students must be enrolled at VCU during the time of the award.
  • E. Allan Brown English Scholarship: In honor of the long-time chairman of the Department of English, a scholarship is awarded each year to an English major of rising senior status (75–90 credit hours) who has an outstanding GPA (usually 3.7 and above). Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
  • The Dinah Grossman-Wolfe Book Award: This award, established by Mrs. Marilyn Ruben and husband Joel Ruben in memory of Mrs. Ruben’s mother and a 1968 graduate of the VCU English Department undergraduate program, Dinah Wolfe, provides recognition, incentive, and limited financial help to a rising junior English major (60-75 credit hours) with a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher who is having difficulty meeting the costs of completing an education at VCU. This book award is designed to help the student offset his/her educational expenses related to textbook purchases. Candidates should show a strong commitment to creativity, active participation in cultural events, and proven scholarship. Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
  • Italian Studies Fund: The Italian Studies Scholarship is open to students of Italian studies with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are two scholarship opportunities: 1) Travel scholarship to Italy or Italo-phone Switzerland: For students who have excelled in Italian classes and will use the scholarship for travel or study abroad; 2) Academic Recognition Scholarships: Recognizes students excelling in Italian classes but who are not necessarily traveling. Graduating seniors are not eligible unless they are attending a VCU study abroad program in Italy or Italo-phone Switzerland.
  • The Riely Scholarship for Women: This scholarship, funded by and honoring the family of a two-degree graduate of the VCU English department, Jean Roy Riely, is offered to a rising junior or senior class English major with demonstrated merit who has returned to higher education after a significant absence and who demonstrates experience with or a commitment to the advancement of women in English studies. Students who meet these criteria are invited to submit applications to the online scholarship portal early in the spring semester.
  • English Department Writing Awards: Each spring the English Department offers monetary prizes to students in the following categories: Critical Essay, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry. The call for submissions begins late fall semester and runs through early to mid February, and is open to the entire VCU student community, though English majors who have taken creative writing courses are strongly encouraged to submit. (Note: the category of Critical Essay is restricted to essays on literary topics.)  For submission guidelines contact english@vcu.edu.
  • Janet D. Sheridan Scholarship: This scholarship was established by an anonymous donor in 1998 in honor of adjunct professor Janet Sheridan. It is awarded to a language major with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who demonstrates excellence in his or her area of language concentration. Applicants must be a rising junior or senior majoring in French, German or Spanish in the School of World Studies and have completed coursework through the intermediate level and will have taken at least two foreign language courses at VCU by the end of the semester in which the award is received.
  • Outstanding English Major: Each semester at least one graduating English major is selected for this award. Criteria for selection include outstanding grade point average (3.7 or higher), record of service to the department, school, university, and community, and recommendations of faculty. Eligibility for this award is determined from graduation applications. No separate application is necessary.  
  • Volkmar Risch Endowed Memorial Scholarship: The Volkmar Risch Memorial Scholarship was established through gifts made by family, friends, colleagues and previous students of Volkmar Risch, an adjunct professor of German in the School of World Studies. The scholarship continues Risch’s legacy as a teacher of German and a dedicated member of the VCU and Richmond communities. The scholarship will be awarded to a student in the School of World Studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 who demonstrates a dedication and commitment to the study of German. Recipient must have taken at least one year of German or be currently enrolled in German 102 and intend to study abroad in the German-speaking world.
  • The Black History in the Making Award: This award is given each year to an African American English major of rising junior or senior status (60–90 credit hours) who has a strong GPA (3.5 or higher) and shows potential for graduate level work.  The English faculty chooses a recipient each spring. No application is necessary.