25 Great Scholarships for Journalism Majors

“No news is good news.”

Modern technology has made the above-quoted truism totally obsolete. Recent innovations that enable near-instantaneous transfer and access to vast data volumes have induced insatiable appetites for fresh insights into new information. In the midst of today’s increasingly global socio-economic scene, what you don’t know can definitely hurt you. Thus, specialized expertise in observing, compiling, analyzing, and reporting current events and recent developments of major import and widespread interest are more essential than ever before.

This novel yet urgent necessity often deprives both news organizations and talented but non-wealthy aspiring reporters of beneficial opportunities. Fortunately, an effective remedy for their mutual dilemma may be readily gleaned by reading all about great scholarships for journalism majors featured in the following copy.

1. Abilene Reporter-News Bernard Hanks Scholarship Fund

DEADLINE: Contact administrator

Sponsored by the “Abilene Reporter” news publication and administered by the Abilene Community Foundation, this scholarship fund makes annual awards in varying amounts to college journalism majors.

Applicants must be/have:

• An undergraduate junior majoring in mass communications or journalism
• From Abilene, Texas

Contact

Abilene Reporter-News Bernard Hanks Scholarship Fund
Community Foundation of Abilene
Phone: (325) 676-3883
E-mail: nslaton@cfabilene.org

2. American Copy Editors Society (“ACES”) Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 15

Since 1999, ACES has been acknowledging worthy students who exhibit outstanding passion for the field of news editing with one annual award of $2,500 and four additional awards of $1,000 each.

Applicants must be/have:

• Undergraduate college juniors, seniors or graduates
• Current students must enroll for at least one full term during year of award
• Demonstrate outstanding scholarship and exemplary work product quality

Besides the above-mentioned direct educational financial assistance, chosen awardees receive free registration and $500 for travel costs to the ACES annual conference.

Contact

American Copy Editors Society Scholarship
ACES Educational Fund
Alex Cruden, Vice President
E-mail: alex@copydesk.org
Further details are on full display at http://www.copydesk.org/education-fund/apply/.

3. Anne Clapper Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 18

This scholarship makes annual awards to outstanding undergraduates majoring in communications-related disciplines such as print and broadcast journalism and public relations. Number and amount of non-renewable awards vary annually. Primary factors of influence in recipient selections are academic performance and demonstrated journalism potential.

Contact

Anne Clapper Scholarship

Interested candidates should contact their institution’s Financial Aid Office for an application and further details.

4. BurrellesLuce Arthur Wynne, Jr. Memorial Award

DEADLINE: Contact administrator

Sponsored by America’s leading commercial media monitor BurrellesLuce, and administered by the Public Relations Student Society of America (“PRSSA”), this scholarship makes a one-time annual award of $1,000 to an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in communications or public relations.

Applicants must be/have:

• Full-time juniors or seniors in an accredited four-year degree program in communications, marketing, journalism, or public relations
• Active PRSSA members in good standing

Contact

BurrellesLuce Arthur Wynne, Jr. Memorial Award
Jeneen Garcia, PRSA Director of Education
33 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 460-1466
E-mail: jeneen.garcia@prsa.org

5. Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism

DEADLINE: October 15

Funded by Washington, D.C. First Amendment advocacy group Freedom Forum, this program provides aspiring journalists of color with practical training and mentorship by veteran news reporters. These benefits aim to enhance diversity in the journalism profession.

Besides renewable annual awards of $1,000, chosen recipients participate in paid internships with participating newspapers.

All applicants must be/have:

• College juniors or seniors with journalism majors or demonstrated interest in a news-related career
• Of minority racial or ethnic origin
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and auto insurance coverage for the full duration of internship participation

Contact

Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism
Karen Catone, Director
Freedom Forum
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 292-6271

6. Colorado Press Association (“CPA”) Scholarship Fund

DEADLINE: April 1

Each year, as many as ten high school students are selected to receive a $500 lump-sum stipend upon conclusion of an 80-hour internship at a Colorado newspaper via this CPA-sponsored fund administered by the Denver Foundation.

Applicants must:

• Obtain prior written agreement to part-time summer intern employment from the editor or publisher of their hometown newspaper
• Establish specific internship learning objectives in collaboration with the news editor or publisher

Contact

Colorado Press Association (“CPA”) Scholarship Fund
CPA Internship Program
Attention: Lisa Fasolo Frishman
The Denver Foundation
55 Madison St., 8th Floor
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 996-7328
E-mail: lfasolo@denverfoundation.org

7. David W. Ewald Journalism Scholarship

DEADLINE: July 29

Established by the National Business Aviation Association (“NBAA”) in 2007, this scholarship makes one nonrenewable annual award of $1,000 to an outstanding student pursuing journalism career paths with an aviation emphasis.

Applicants must be/have:

• U.S. citizens
• Currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate degree program in journalism or a related discipline

Contact

David W. Ewald Journalism Scholarship
Attn: Jay Evans
National Business Aviation Association
1200 18th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 783-9250
E-mail: scholarships@nbaa.org

8. Direct Marketing Scholarship

DEADLINE: May 1

OPEN DATE: November 1

Formerly named “Direct Marketing Educational Foundation,” Marketing EDGE is America’s sole non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to acquainting college students and educators to facilitate their mutual involvement in the thriving business of marketing. A primary means that Marketing EDGE employs to meet that end is a group of nine different scholarship funds that make varying number and amounts of annual awards.

All applicants must be/have:

• U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
• Current enrollment in an accredited four-year institution
• A minimum 3.0 grade point average (“GPA”)
• Demonstrated commitment a marketing career, by virtue of previously completed coursework and/or internship participation in relevant areas

Contact

Direct Marketing Scholarship
Attn: Rachel Fontana
1120 Ave of the Americas, Floor 13
New York, NY 10036-6700
E-mail: rfontana@marketingEDGE.org

9. Edward J Nell Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

Sponsored and established by University of Iowa’s International Quill & Scroll Association (“IQSA”) in 1926, this scholarship helps the best and brightest aspiring journalists realize their dreams of career success with annual awards of $500 or more to fund their higher education.

Applicants must be/have:

• National winners of IQSA’s annual Yearbook Excellence or International Writing/Photography Contest
• A freshman at any accredited postsecondary institution majoring in mass communications or journalism
• Exhibit outstanding potential and ability in journalism, by virtue of high-quality work samples included with scholarship application

Contact

Edward J Nell Scholarship
Vanessa Shelton, Executive Director
Phone: (319) 335-3321
Email: vanessa-shelton@uiowa.edu

10. Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students

DEADLINE: March 15

This memorial scholarship makes an annual award of $2,500 for an undergraduate a degree in mass communications or religious journalism.

Applicants must be/have:

• Of the United Methodist faith
• Of minority racial origin
• Current or planned future enrollment in an accredited U.S. post-secondary degree program in religious journalism or communications

Contact

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students
Leonard M. Perryman Scholarship Committee
United Methodist Communications
Communications Ministry Team
810 12th Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37203
http://www.umcom.org/atf/cf/%7B60c02017-4f6a-4f3b-883a-4afaece1182f%7D/PERRYMAN_APPLICATION_PACKET.PDF

11. Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund

DEADLINE: May 1

Established in 2000, this scholarship assists Maine high school graduates pursue journalism and other “reasonably related” careers. Annual award amounts are based on funds availability and selection committee recommendations.

Applicants must be/have:

• Be graduates from a high school or home schooling program in Maine
• In the final year of secondary education
• Plan to attend an accredited U.S. undergraduate or graduate post-secondary educational institution
• Intend to major in broadcast journalism or a “reasonably related” field
• Demonstrate financial need
• Demonstrate outstanding academic performance

Contact

Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund
Maine Community Foundation
Scholarship Coordinator
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: (207) 667-9735 or (877) 700-6800
E-mail: info@mainecf.org

12. Merv Aubespin Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 15

Sponsored by ACES to honor its co-founder and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists after whom it is named, this scholarship makes annual awards of $2,500 to outstanding college upperclassmen with demonstrated dedication to a copy editing career.

Applicants must be/have:

• Undergraduate college juniors or seniors, graduate students, or college graduates
• Be enrolled for at least one complete academic term during award year
• Non-winner of previous ACES scholarship

Contact

Merv Aubespin Scholarship
ACES Educational Fund
Alex Cruden, Vice President
E-mail: alex@copydesk.org

13. Mike Reynolds Journalism Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

To advance its pressing mission to honor those who fearlessly support freedom of the press, the Radio Television Digital News Association (“RTDNA”) awards $1,000 to a deserving journalist aspirant via this memorial scholarship.

Applicants must be/have:

• Enrolled as an undergraduate sophomore or higher student
• At least one full academic year of remaining studies
• Apply for only one scholarship
• Exemplary writing skills and excellent grades
• Demonstrate financial need
• A strong interest in an electronic journalism career

Contact

Mike Reynolds Journalism Scholarship
Katie Switchenko
E-mail: katies@rtnda.org

14. National Association of Black Journalists (“NABJ”) Scholarship Programs

DEADLINE: March

Via these programs, NABJ makes seven annual awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 to worthy undergraduate journalism majors.

Applicants must have/be:

• High school or college students
• Active NABJ members
• Current or planned future enrollment at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution
• Major in journalism or a communications-related field
• Demonstrate strong interest in a journalism career
• Have at least one full year of postsecondary studies remaining
• Meet program-specific minimum GPA requirements
• Non-recipients of any previous NABJ scholarship award

Contact

National Association of Black Journalists Scholarship Programs
Tiane Johnson, Communications Coordinator and Program Manager
Phone: (301) 405-2573
E-mail: tjohnson@nabj.org
All applications must be submitted online. For full descriptions of each NABJ scholarship program, see http://www.nabj.org/?page=SEEDScholarships

15. Ohio Newspapers Foundation (“ONF”) Minority Scholarship

DEADLINE: March 31

ONF sponsors this scholarship that makes an annual award of $1,500 to an Ohio minority high school senior intending to pursue studies in a newspaper-related discipline, especially journalism, marketing, communications, and advertising at an in-state post-secondary institution.

Applicants must be/have:

• A graduating senior from an Ohio high school
• Enrolled as a college freshman at an Ohio college or university throughout academic year of award
• A minimum 2.5 high school GPA
• African American, Asian American, Native American, or Hispanic

Contact

Ohio Newspapers Foundation Minority Scholarship
Ann Riggs, Receptionist and Secretary
E-mail: ariggs@ohionews.org

16. Portland Chapter AAJA Scholarships

DEADLINE: April 1

The Portland, Oregon Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (“AAJA”) sponsors this scholarship that makes an annual award of up to $2,000 to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate scholar.

Applicants must have/be:

* Committed to journalism
* Sensitive to Asian American issues, as evidenced by community involvement
* Demonstrate financial need
* Outstanding scholarship and journalistic ability
* A graduating high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
* Enrolled full-time in an accredited postsecondary school during award year
* Reside or attend a school in Oregon or Vancouver, WA

Contact

Portland Chapter AAJA Scholarships
Phone: (503) 925-5226
E-mail: info@cacaportland.org
Website URL – http://www.aaja.org

17. Reid Blackburn Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 15

Established by “The Columbian” newspaper based in Vancouver, WA, this memorial scholarship makes annual awards to undergraduate students who exhibit high potential in photojournalism.

Applicants must be/have:

• Currently enrolled full-time or accepted by an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada
• Demonstrate high aptitude in photojournalism and potential for successful degree program completion, as evidenced by GPA
• Demonstrate and explain financial need
• Have at least one-half of an academic year remaining
• Apply award proceeds to attendance costs for upcoming academic session
• Current college students must have previously completed photojournalism courses

Contact

Reid Blackburn Scholarship
James W. Brown, Ph.D., Director
10710 Pine Bluff Drive
Fishers, IN 46037
E-mail: jwbrown@nppf.org

18. Richard Drukker Memorial Scholarship

DEADLINE: March

The New Jersey Press Foundation (“NJPF”) administers this memorial scholarship that makes annual awards of $2,000 to journalism students at New Jersey’s Montclair University (“MU”).

Applicants must be:

• MU journalism majors or minors
• A staff member of MU’s official newspaper “The Montclarion”
• Non-recipients of any previous NJPF scholarship award

Contact

Richard Drukker Memorial Scholarship
New Jersey Press Foundation
810 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 307
West Trenton, NJ 08628
Phone: (609) 406-0600

19. RTNDA Abe Schechter Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact administrator

Established to honor the memory of nominee radio news pioneer and first NBC News VP who perished in a 1999 auto accident, the Radio Television News Digital Association (“RTNDA”) sponsors this scholarship that awards $2,000 award to a deserving graduate scholar each year.

Applicants must:

• Be officially enrolled in a graduate degree program
• Apply for just one scholarship
• Have an interest in an electronic journalism career but may be majoring in any discipline

Contact

RTNDA Abe Schechter Scholarship
Katie Switchenko
E-mail: katies@rtnda.org
Applications must be submitted online at http://www.rtdna.org/content/the_abe_schechter_graduate_scholarship#.Uo8L4sSUSy8.

20. RTNDA Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship

DEADLINE: Contact administrator

Like its above-listed sister fund, this is an RTNDA-administered memorial scholarship that makes one annual award to a worthy undergraduate student.

Applicants must be/have:

• Formally enrolled in college
• A sophomore or higher
• Apply for just one scholarship
• Must exhibit an intent to pursue an electronic journalism career but may be enrolled in any major

Contact

RTNDA Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship
Katie Switchenko
E-mail: katies@rtnda.org

21. Sacramento Press Club Scholarships

DEADLINE: March 31

Sacramento Press Club sponsors several scholarship funds that make annual awards ranging between $4,000 and $8,000 to worthy would-be Sacramento journalists.

Applicants must be/have:

* College juniors, seniors, or graduate students during award year
* Have personal ties to the Sacramento area, as evidenced by:

– Being a Sacramento native
– Enrollment in a Sacramento institution
– Prior news coverage activities within the Sacramento region

* Demonstrate financial need, outstanding scholarship, and exceptional journalistic talent

Contact

Sacramento Press Club Scholarships
SPC Scholarship Program
Kathleen Beasley
1000 Sagamore Way
Sacramento, CA 95822
E-mail: sacpressclubscholarships@gmail.com

22. The George Snow Scholarship Fund

DEADLINE: Contact sponsor

Established in 1982 and based in Boca Raton, FL, George Snow Fund makes four-year awards of varying amounts to the brightest and worthiest young scholars in its locale.

Applicants for these need-based awards must be/have:

• Graduating seniors from high school in Palm Beach County, FL or Pompano Beach or Blanche Ely High Schools in Northern Broward County, FL
• Demonstrate strong self-motivation to meet well-defined educational and career goals
• Demonstrate financial need
• Attend any accredited U.S. post-secondary institution and major in any desired program

Contact

The George Snow Scholarship Fund
201 Plaza Real, Suite 260
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Phone: (561) 347-6799
E-mail: info@scholarship.org

23. Valley Press Club Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 1

The Valley Press Club makes five annual awards of $1,000 to assist deserving students pursue a journalism career.

Applicants must be/have:

• High school seniors in western Massachusetts or northern Connecticut
• Planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution
• Demonstrate serious commitment to a journalism career
• Demonstrate financial need

Primary influential factors in awardee selections are writing skills, scholastic achievement, career objectives, and extracurricular activities. The Selections Committee interviews all finalists.

Contact

Valley Press Club Scholarship
Valley Press Club Scholarship Committee
Box 5475
Springfield, MA 01102
E-mail: info@valleypressclub.com

24. Vivian D. Tillman Scholarship

DEADLINE: April 30

Administered by the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Educational Fund, Inc., this scholarship makes annual awards of $500 to deserving undergraduate and graduate communications and/or journalism majors.

Applicants must be/have:

• A minimum GPA of “C”
• Demonstrate financial need
• Prepay a $20 processing fee

Awards are nonrenewable but recipients who meet basic eligibility criteria may reapply annually.

Contact

Vivian D. Tillman Scholarship
For an application and additional details, see http://www.deltanusigma.org/documents/nef.pdf.

25. William B. Ruggles Right to Work Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 31

OPEN DATE: October 1

Sponsored by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (“NILRR”), this scholarship makes an annual award of $2,000 to an outstanding scholar who exemplifies high journalistic standards of its named honoree.

Applicants must be/have:

• Full-time graduate or undergraduate majors in journalism or a related field in a U.S. postsecondary educational institution
• Exhibit high potential for successful program completion, by virtue of GPA and recommendation letters
• Demonstrate adequate grasp of voluntary unionism in addition to socio-economic problems of compulsory unionism via an essay of approximately 500 words

Demonstrated interest in post-graduation employment at NILLR strongly influences selections decisions.

Contact

William B. Ruggles Right to Work Scholarship
Scholarship Selection Committee
National Institute for Labor Relations Research
5211 Port Royal Road, Suite

Extra! Extra! Read All About Great Scholarships for Journalism Majors

The foregoing list is but an appetizer for bright inquiring minds of aspiring journalists with a serious need to know the names of higher educational funding sources. Those wanting full immersion into the hustle and bustle of breaking news and delivering public education about late developments and trends are hereby challenged to a test of fortitude: Launch an immediate bold investigation into academic advancement financing that leaves no stone un-turned.