FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2023 

The Highlights Foundation Will Award 56 Scholarships in 2023
Aspiring and published storytellers can apply now; deadline is February 10

Honesdale, PA – The Highlights Foundation announced today that it will award 56 scholarships in 2023. The application period is open now, and all aspiring and published children’s authors and illustrators are invited to apply by February 10, 2023.  Recipients will be notified in April, and awards will be made as follows:

• 20 full tuition scholarships for workshops that take place at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center
• 20 full tuition scholarships for online courses
• 6 scholarships for Whole Novel workshops
• 10 scholarships for personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center

Awards will be based on the following criteria, evaluated by a scholarship committee via the application:

• Seriousness of purpose, including time and effort devoted to craft.
• Talent, displayed via a writing or art sample.
• and financial need.

Recipients will choose the workshop or retreat that meets their interests during the 2023 or 2024 program seasons. Ten travel stipends of up to $500 each will also be awarded during the process.

“Scholarships are a big part of the Highlights Foundation. We’ve been investing in storytellers since our founding, and it’s truly amazing to see how our recipients have used their awards, talent, and work to create books that inspire children,” said George Brown, Executive Director of the Highlights Foundation. “We’re only one part of each storyteller’s journey, but the impact they have on kids is real and lasting.”

Many scholarships are made possible through generous donations from Highlights Foundation supporters who believe in the organization’s mission: to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  These include several organizations who have partnered with the Highlights Foundation to make scholarships available.

Debbie Meyer, a 2022 general scholarship recipient, used her award to attend last year’s Highlights Foundation Summer Camp in Illustration.  After she completed the workshop, she shared her thanks to the organization, and all those who make scholarships possible.  She said, “Thank you for realizing there is value in children’s writing and illustrating. Thank you for supporting those of us who needed that boost of encouragement and guidance to stay on the path we were meant to be on. Know that your support and financial donations do make a difference for these adults who are working on projects that will eventually make a difference in the life of a child.”

For an overview of the scholarship program, including a list of scholarships available and their sponsors, visit https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/scholarships/.  An application link is also available on that page.

The Highlights Foundation will host a webinar on January 31, 2023 at 7pm EST to celebrate the scholarships available, and provide more information to those interested in applying.  Register for that free webinar at https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/workshop/free-hfgather-2023-scholarship-celebration-and-information-session/.

To contribute to the Highlights Foundation Scholarship program, donate online at https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/donate-online/.

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CONTACTS:

George Brown, Executive Director, Highlights Foundation (George.Brown@highlightsfoundation.org)