Published August 13, 2009
Written by Grace Chen
If you have a passion for prose, you could earn money writing - even while you attend community college. Whether you enjoy composing essays or creative pieces, community college students can participate in writing competitions to not only be published, but earn accolades, gifts, and monetary prizes!
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, otherwise known as NISOD, is known for its community college leadership program. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this institute also holds rewarding competitions for community college writing.
The Community College Baccalaureate Association, also known as CCBA, has been providing community college students with rewarding scholarships for the past six years. This year, for the CCBA's 7th annual competition, the winning author will be provided with a $1,000 scholarship to help fund their community college tuition. Furthermore, the winning author's community college will be rewarded with a $1,000 gift.
NISOD and CCBA host only two of dozens of writing competitions available to community colleges. Depending upon your writing specialty and interests, you can inquire on your own campus to find even more opportunities. Your academic center will have additional information regarding campus-specific competitions hosted by your school or district.
If you have a passion for prose, you could earn money writing - even while you attend community college. Whether you enjoy composing essays or creative pieces, community college students can participate in writing competitions to not only be published, but earn accolades, gifts, and monetary prizes!
NISOD Writing Competition
The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, otherwise known as NISOD, is known for its community college leadership program. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this institute also holds rewarding competitions for community college writing.
This year, NISOD held a college essay contest to commemorate the former editor of the "Community College Week" publication, Scott Wright, who was an advocate for the unique missions and goals of community colleges. The essay competition celebrated Wright's passion for writing, learning, and education.
For the first NISOD writing contest, students were prompted to submit a piece of writing that revealed, "Your most rewarding learning experience with a faculty, staff, or administrator at your college" through a 400 - 500 word essay. The student winner was celebrated with honors that included:
-
$1,000 cash prize to the author of the winning essay
-
$1,000 cash prize to the faculty / staff / administrator featured in the winning essay
-
Free NISOD Membership to the student's community college ($1,000 value)
Related photos, biographies, and the essay may be published in "Community College Week," garnering the winner publication credits in addition to the monetary prize.
CCBA Annual Student Essay Contest
The Community College Baccalaureate Association, also known as CCBA, has been providing community college students with rewarding scholarships for the past six years. This year, for the CCBA's 7th annual competition, the winning author will be provided with a $1,000 scholarship to help fund their community college tuition. Furthermore, the winning author's community college will be rewarded with a $1,000 gift.
As the CCBA explains, this year's writing contest is focused on what students think regarding community colleges who grant four year degrees. To be eligible for this competition, students must write a minimum of 400 words (maximum 500) on the official topic: "Why obtaining a four year degree on my community college campus would be important to me." Due by February 5th, 2010, the winner of the competition will be notified by February 10th. If chosen as the winner, the student and his or her college will not only be gifted with $1,000 each, but the winner will also gain the privilege of an all expense paid trip to the 10th Annual CCBA Conference, hosted in Baltimore, Maryland.
Additional Writing Contests
NISOD and CCBA host only two of dozens of writing competitions available to community colleges. Depending upon your writing specialty and interests, you can inquire on your own campus to find even more opportunities. Your academic center will have additional information regarding campus-specific competitions hosted by your school or district.
Your local four-year university may also hold writing competitions for nearby community colleges. For example, Marylhurst University in Oregon holds a writing contest for students enrolled in Clackamas Community College, Clark Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Portland Community College in poetry, creative non-fiction, literary analysis, and short fiction genres.
Furthermore, an array of private companies also host writing competitions for community college students. For example, the following organizations have provided community college students with writing contests in recent years:
-
National Geographic
-
The Ayn Rand Institute
-
The Atlantic Monthly
Through on-campus, local, and national writing competitions, your opportunities for earning recognition and monetary prizes are literally endless!
Resources:
CCBA, Essay Rules, available at http://www.accbd.org/pdfs/rules_2010.pdf
NISOD, Essay Competition, available at http://www.nisod.org/student_essay/
National Geographic, College Contest, available at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/extras/collegecontestannouncement0707.html
The Ayn Rand Institute, Education Contests, available at http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_contests_index
The Atlantic Monthly, available at http://www.theatlantic.com/a/contest.mhtml
Read Related Attending College Articles:
- What to Expect Your First Semester of Community College
Learn what to expect in terms of classes and student life in your first semester of community college. - Do Community College Applicants Need to Take Enrollment Exams?
Learn about whether or not you may need to take an enrollment exam at your local community college, as well as the benefits these exams may provide to your academic career. - Transferring from Community College to a 4-year Institution
Learn about the steps you need to take to succesfully transfer from a community college to a 4-year institution. - How to Ensure Your Community College Credits Transfer to a 4 Year University
Make sure that your community college credits will transfer to your four year university by following these recommended strategies. - The Reverse Transfer Process
Learn about the reverse transfer process and how it can benefit your education. - Stuck on a Waiting List? How Community College Students Can Combat College Admission Freezes
More and more of today's community college students find themselves on waiting lists thanks to budget cuts. Learn about strategies you can take to get yourself off of waiting lists and into class. - Why Community College Students are Taking Classes at Midnight
To accommodate students' schedules, along with growing enrollment rates, community colleges are offering classes in the late evening. Learn more about why you may be taking midnight classes at a campus near you. - How Community Colleges are Coping with Double Digit Enrollment Growth
Learn about how community colleges are changing their campuses to accomodate for double-digit growth in student enrollment. - Should Community Colleges Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Enroll?
Learn about the controversy surrounding community colleges' admission policies regarding undocumented immigrants. - 3 Reasons Why Top Universities are Recruiting Community College Students
Learn about the growing trend amongst four-year universities to recruit from community college campuses. Enjoy an academic head start and a competitive edge against other applicants by starting first at community college. - Establishing Good Relationships with Instructors
Learn how to establish good relationships with community college instructors, and how they can be helpful for your academics. - Tutors and Academic Assistance for Community College Students
Learn about tutoring options and academic assistance for community college students. - Writing Assistance for Community College Students
Learn how to get essay and writing skills assistance in community college. - How to Avoid Community College Academic Probation
Learn about academic probation and dismissal, as well as the strategies you can enact to ensure you remain in good academic standing with your community college. - The Value of Mentoring Programs in Community College
Learn about the variety of mentoring programs available in community colleges, and why you may want to be involved as a mentee or mentor. - The Benefits of Community College Minority Mentoring Programs
Learn about how minority mentorship programs at community colleges are improving academic performance and graduation rates, as well as providing a medley of benefits. - Avoid the 3 Major Pitfalls of the First Year of Community College
Learn about how you can avoid the commonly experienced pitfalls students encounter in the first few weeks of community college, and ensure that you do not slip through the cracks. - Will You Graduate From Community College? Factors that Influence Success
Learn more about the factors that can influence whether you graduate from community college. - Should You Declare Academic Bankruptcy?
Learn about the benefits and disadvantages of academic bankruptcy and whether this option is right for your GPA and financial aid eligibility. - How Community College Campuses are Preparing for the H1N1 Virus
Learn about how community colleges are putting plans in place to prevent and combat the spread of H1N1 on campus. - Enjoy Free Healthcare Services at Your Local Community College
Learn about the opportunities and free healthcare services available at your local community college. Whether you need dental, medical, or even physical therapy treatment, your local community college may be able to provide you with the care that you need, regardless of your budget. - How Community Colleges are Working to Stop Drunk Driving
Learn about the innovative programs, curriculum, and parades that community colleges are creating to prevent drunk driving on campus. - How to Get Help for Your DUI through Your Community College
If you are facing a DUI, your community college can be an excellent resource for affordable legal assistance and counseling programs. - Paid Drug Testing Trials: The Risks to Community College Students
Should you undergo the risks associated with paid drug testing trials both on and off your community college campus? Learn about the benefits and risks associated with these testing trials. - Campus Living Options for Community College Students
Learn about the increasing number of campus living options for community college students. - Can Community Colleges Limit Your Right to Free Speech?
Learn about the legal cases brought against community colleges, who allegedly have been violating students' rights to freedom of speech. - Faith Based Initiatives at Community Colleges: Faux Pas or Politically Correct?
Learn about how religious intiatives at community colleges are growing in popularity and how these programs will impact the dynamics on campus. - Athletics in Community Colleges
Learn about athletics in community colleges - what sports are typically offered and their role in the student experience. - How to Meet New Friends While Playing Sports
Take advantage of the intramural sports opportunities offered at your local community college, including baseball, basketball, ping pong, and even rock climbing. - Professional Athletic Opportunities for Community College Students
Learn how community college can facilitate professional athletic opportunities for its students. - Run Towards the Finish Line with a Community College Marathon
For novice and competitive runners alike, community colleges across the country offer fun marathon events, as well as an opportunity to join collegiate marathon teams. - Top 3 Reasons to Join a Debate Club to Benefit Your Career
Consider three of the best reasons to join your community college's debate club to further your future career and job opportunities. - Choosing Electives for a Rounded Education
Learn how choosing electives can be enjoyable and professionally beneficial. - The Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer in Community College
Consider these five reasons, ranging from resume benefits to professional opportunities, to volunteer during your time in community college - Alternative Spring Break: Programs and Opportunities
Instead of visiting a party destination this spring break, consider attending educational and philanthropic opportunities offered through your community college. - Support for ESL Students in Community College
Learn about the support programs available for ESL students in community college. - North Carolina Community Colleges: Pioneering Increased Enrollment and Early Graduation Rates
Learn about how North Carolina's community colleges have created innovative programs that not only increase student enrollment, but give high school students an opportunity to attend courses on campus tuition-free. - How to Find the Best Community College for Your Unique Hearing Needs
If you have specific hearing needs, finding a supportive community college campus is critical. Learn about what to look for in a community college and what programs across the nation are providing innovative resources to those with hearing impairments. - Which Community College is Best for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
For students with autism spectrum disorder, community colleges across the country can provide excellent higher education support. Learn about how to choose the right community college that specifically meets the needs of ASD students. - The Secret Signs of Undiagnosed Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Learn about the symptoms of Adult ADD and ADHD, and how an undiagnosed disorder may impact your academic, social, and professional endeavors. - Community College Students Need Parent Encouragement
Learn tips on how to support your child during during their transition to community college. - Community College Counseling: Academic and Personal Support
Your community college is an excellent resource for support; learn about the academic and emotional support available to you on campus. - The Benefits of Community College Clubs
Learn about the benefits of participating in clubs at community college. - Studying Abroad During Community College
Learn about the benefits of studying abroad during community college. - Benefits of Internships for Community College Students
Build your professional and academic career with internships. Learn how to find the right internships through your community college campus. - Does Your Community College Allow Guns on Campus?
Learn about the new proposals and regulations that may allow students to carry handguns on community college campuses. - Campus Safety on Community Colleges
Learn about how you can stay safe and secure on your community college campus - Finding Childcare on Community College Campuses
Learn how you can balance the roles of being a student and a parent by securing child care assistance on campus. - Wellness Opportunities at Community Colleges
Learn about the different opportunities for improving your health and wellness at community college. - Get Better Grades in Community College by Being Social
Learn about the research that shows how participation in community college boosts student performance and success. - How Community Colleges are Inspiring Young Girls to Soar to Success
Learn about how community colleges are introducing programs that inspire young girls to achieve more academically, socially, and emotionally.
All Categories:

