This is just a sampling of what’s out there. There are some dubious contests out there that target young poets in particular. The contests listed below are proven winners.for high school students:
Creative Writing Contest: Interlochen Arts Academy
Princeton University: Leonard Milberg '53 Secondary School Poetry Prize
Washington University: The Howard Nemerov Creative Writing Awards
Kenyon College: The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
Creative Writing Contest: Arkansas Tech University
Gannon University: Annual High School Poetry Contest
Rider University: Annual High School Writing Contest
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Younkin-Rivera Prizes for Young Writers
UB Poetry Contest: State University of New York, University at Buffalo
Teen Reads.com: The Claudia Ann Seaman Poetry Award for Young Writers
Claremont Review Annual Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Teen Ink Contests in Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry: www.teenink.com
Press 53 (Young Writers Contest among other contests) www.press53.com
NAPF: Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Awards (has young writer division)
Also, check your state poetry society or organization. Many have poetry contests for young poets.for college students or under 30:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Charles Johnson Student Fiction Award
Playboy College Fiction Awards
Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest (under 30)
Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize
The Atlantic Monthly Student Writing Contest
Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Prizes (poets under 40)