25 Great Scholarships for Broadcasting and Digital Media Majors

broadcasting-and-digital-mediaIf you’ve always been comfortable in front of the camera, scholarships for broadcasting and digital media majors can help you shine on television, radio, or any other medium.

By earning a degree related to broadcasting, students are equipped with the abilities to create reports and deliver newsworthy information to the public. Media-focused degrees also give students real-world experience through internships to build contacts in the journalism industry. Although employment of broadcasters will be declining by two percent over the next decade as news agencies downsize, increased demand for online news and digital media will likely offset this loss.

Get ready to compete for your place in the spotlight by applying for some of these great broadcasting and digital media scholarships.

1. Allison E. Fisher Scholarship

Deadline: February 13th

In honor of a young broadcast journalist who lost her fight with breast cancer at 28, the Allison E. Fisher Scholarship is granted annually for $2,500 by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) to African American students majoring in journalism, broadcasting, mass communications, or a related discipline. Qualified applicants must attend an accredited U.S. undergraduate or graduate school, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, have a record of community service, and attach five work samples.

Contact

Allison E. Fisher Scholarship
1100 Knight Hall Suite 3100
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-0248
sberry@nabj.org

2. American Advertising Federation-NM Scholarships

Deadline: June 4th

Through the Albuquerque Foundation, the American Advertising-NM Scholarships are given for $1,500 each year to two full-time junior or senior college students at non-profit New Mexico higher learning institutions who are majoring in journalism, broadcasting, communications, marketing, advertising, digital media, or public relations. Candidates must have at least one year remaining for their bachelor’s, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and submit an essay outlining their advertising career goals.

Contact

American Advertising Federation-NM Scholarships
624 Tijeras Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 883-5240
nancy@albuquerquefoundation.org

3. Ann Liguori Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: January 30th

Sponsored by New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), the Ann Liguori Foundation Scholarship is presented each year for $2,500 to outstanding undergraduate students who are studying communications fields to pursue a career in sports broadcasting, reporting, or programming. Eligible applicants must be female, have at least rising junior status, attend an accredited U.S. institution, live within the Tri-State area, be dedicated to sports media, and wish to complete an internship with CBS Radio Sports Network.

Contact

Ann Liguori Foundation Scholarship
355 Lexington Avenue 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 297-2133
AGiannacopoulos@kellencompany.com
Scholarship Link

4. BEA Founders Award

Deadline: October 13th

Annually, the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) offers the Founders Award for $1,500 to two high-achieving undergraduate students who are enrolled in a two-year BEA member institution or graduates of these programs now transferring to a four-year university. Qualified candidates must be majoring in broadcasting or electronic media, maintain full-time enrollment, show evidence of superior academic ability, possess high integrity, be committed to a career in radio or television, and have potential for being an outstanding media professional.

Contact

BEA Founders Award
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 429-3935
beamemberservices@nab.org

5. Carole Simpson Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

As an undergraduate broadcasting scholarship program, the Carole Simpson Scholarship is awarded each year by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for $2,000 to sophomores, juniors, and seniors from minority groups who are enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. school with a major in broadcast or digital journalism. To qualify, applicants must submit a cover letter, updated resume, letter of recommendation, and list of links for three to five work samples.

Contact

Carole Simpson Scholarship
529 14th Street NW Suite 1240
Washington, DC 20045
(202) 223-4007
karenh@rtdna.org

6. Dr. John R. Bittner Scholarships

Deadline: September 24th

In remembrance of the former executive director of the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC), the Dr. John R. Bittner Scholarships are granted annually for $1,500 to two currently enrolled rising juniors or seniors who are majoring in broadcast or electronic journalism. Eligible candidates must attend an accredited four-year university in North Carolina or South Carolina, maintain good academic standing, exhibit financial need, and join the RTDNAC student workshop.

Contact

Dr. John R. Bittner Scholarships
2850 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244
(336) 278-5112
rlandesberg@elon.edu

7. Frank del Olmo Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

In honor of his 33-year career at the Los Angeles Times and KNBC-TV, the Frank del Olmo Memorial Scholarship is granted for $1,000 each year by the California Chicago News Media Association (CCNMA) to Latino students planning a career in broadcast journalism. Eligible applicants must reside in California, enroll full-time in an approved in-state school, have a declared major in the communications, showcase community awareness, exhibit financial need, and be committed to scholastic achievement.

Contact

Frank del Olmo Memorial Scholarship
725 Arizona Avenue Suite 206
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(424) 229-9482
ccnmainfo@ccnma.org
Scholarship Link

8. Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: June 6th

Administered by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship is designed to award $5,000 each year to one collegiate junior, senior, or graduate student who is enrolled in an agricultural communications program. To qualify, candidates must plan to work in broadcast or digital media, attend an accredited U.S. college, remain in good standing, submit three letters of reference, and record a two-minute audio statement showing their electronic communication skills.

Contact

Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship
110 Platte Falls Road
Platte City, MO 64079
(816) 431-4302
rosemarie@nafb.com

9. Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 1st

As part of the Maine Community Foundation, the Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund was created in 2000 to provide $1,000 annual undergraduate scholarships for broadcasting or digital media to graduates of Maine public and private high schools. Qualified individuals must attend an accredited post-secondary institution in America full-time, declare a major in broadcast journalism, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, have financial need, and possess on- or off-campus work experience related to journalism.

Contact

Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-9735
info@mainecf.org

10. Harry Barfield Scholarship

Deadline: April 24th

Every academic year, the Harry Barfield Scholarship is offered by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) to award $2,500 to college students across the Commonwealth who are attending in-state institutions to earn a degree in broadcasting, journalism, communications, digital media, or a related field. Eligible students should carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be actively involved in professional extra-curricular activities, be at least rising juniors, provide faculty recommendations, and plan a career in broadcasting.

Contact

Harry Barfield Scholarship
101 Enterprise Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 848-0426
kba@kba.org

11. IBNA Grant Price Scholarship

Deadline: March 11th

Established by the Iowa Broadcast News Association (IBNA) to honor the former news director of WMT Radio/TV, the Grant Price Scholarship is awarded for $1,000 yearly to early career professionals who have declared a major in broadcast journalism or communications. Accepted candidates must be registered at a two or four-year college in Iowa, be freshmen or sophomores, achieve satisfactory academic standing, submit three news writing samples, and write a one-page statement on their electronic media goals.

Contact

IBNA Grant Price Scholarship
P.O. Box 647
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 230-8988
IBNA@ibna.org

12. Jack Shelley Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 6th

Sponsored by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association (MBJA), the Jack Shelley Scholarship Program is hosted annually to provide $1,250 to one lucky full-time college student who showcases outstanding promise in the field of broadcasting. Eligible applicants must attend an accredited Midwestern university, have one full year of studies remaining, possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, have experience in the field of broadcast journalism, and send three letters of professional recommendation.

Contact

Jack Shelley Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 838
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 490-3033
cpaigediers@gmail.com
Scholarship Link

13. James J. Wychor Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th

As one of 10 digital media scholarships gifted by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association (MBA) annually, the James J. Wychor Scholarship is offered for $1,500 annually to state residents who are majoring in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, marketing, news reporting, or communications. Eligible candidates must be committed to a career in electronic media, show promise with a minimum GPA of 2.5, attend an accredited post-secondary institution in Minnesota, and submit one writing sample.

Contact

James J. Wychor Scholarship
3033 Excelsior Blvd. Suite 440
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(612) 926-8123
llasere@minnesotabroadcasters.com

14. Jim McKay Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 18th

Through the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Jim McKay Memorial Scholarship was created by the HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX networks to remember the legendary sportscaster with an annual $10,000 broadcasting scholarship. Qualified college-bound students must be declaring a major in broadcast journalism, be interested in sports media, wish to work in the television industry, attend a U.S. institution, participate in broadcast-related activities, and write a creative essay.

Contact

Jim McKay Memorial Scholarship
1697 Broadway Suite 404
New York, NY 10019
(212) 586-8424
membership@televisionacademy.com

15. Ken R. Greenwood Student Scholarships

Deadline: February 19th

In the amount of $1,000, the Ken R. Greenwood Student Scholarships are available through the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB) Education Foundation annually for collegiate students who have majored in broadcasting at an in-state university. To apply, candidates must be entering their junior or senior year, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, take at least 12 hours per term, plan to enter a broadcasting career upon graduation, and have significant unmet financial need.

Contact

Ken R. Greenwood Student Scholarships
6520 N. Western Suite 104
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
(405) 848-0771
struby@oabok.org

16. Linda Simmons Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

After losing her battle with cancer in 2001, the Linda Simmons Memorial Scholarship was initiated by the Alaska Broadcasters Association (ABA) to reward $2,000 annually to students majoring in the communications arts, including broadcasting, journalism, public relations, broadcast communications, broadcast engineering, or advertising. Eligible candidates must have resided in Alaska, attend an accredited school anywhere in America, be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate academic excellence, and submit three reference letters.

Contact

Linda Simmons Memorial Scholarship
700 W 41st Avenue Suite 102
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 258-2424
akbagold@gci.net
Scholarship Link

17. Mark Holtz Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 3rd

Established by the Dallas Mavericks Foundation in 2006 in memory of the team’s first radio broadcaster, the Mark Holtz Memorial Scholarship is awarded for $2,000 every year to high-achieving students who are planning to major in broadcasting at an accredited two or four-year institution. Qualified graduating high school seniors must live within a 75-mile radius of Dallas, be beginning college this fall, wish to pursue a career in sports media, and submit an audio or video broadcast performance.

Contact

Mark Holtz Memorial Scholarship
2909 Taylor Street
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 747-6287

18. Mike Reynolds Broadcasting Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

In honor of an accomplished director at KCCI-TV in Des Moines who passed away from a brain tumor at 45, the Mike Reynolds Broadcasting Scholarship is given by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) annually for $1,000 for students aspiring a career in electronic broadcast journalism. Qualified candidates must have at least sophomore-level standing, have one full year of academic work remaining, demonstrate need for financial assistance, possess good writing ability, and be committed to broadcast news.

Contact

Mike Reynolds Broadcasting Scholarship
529 14th Street NW Suite 1240
Washington, DC 20045
(202) 223-4007
karenh@rtdna.org

19. NAHJ Ford Motor Company Scholarships

Deadline: March 15th

Presented by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the Ford Motor Company Scholarships are annual broadcasting awards worth up to $2,000 for outstanding college-bound and currently enrolled students pursuing a career in print, broadcast, online, or digital journalism. Eligible Latinos must be accepted at an accredited American college, have declared a major in broadcasting, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be involved in the Hispanic community, and have experience in English or Spanish-language media.

Contact

NAHJ Ford Motor Company Scholarships
1050 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 662-7145
nahj@nahj.org

20. NWA Broadcast Meteorology Scholarship

Deadline: May 14th

Annually, the National Weather Association (NWA) offers the Broadcast Meteorology Scholarship for $1,000 to undergraduate college students in their sophomore year or later who are majoring in broadcasting with the goal of becoming a broadcast meteorologist. Applicants must have at least one full semester remaining, demonstrate academic merit, submit two letters of recommendation from media personnel or meteorology faculty, and create a YouTube video showing two full on-camera weather forecasts with graphics.

Contact

NWA Broadcast Meteorology Scholarship
350 David L. Boren Blvd.
Norman, OK 73072
(405) 701-5167
exdir@nwas.org
Scholarship Link

21. Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship

Deadline: April 30th

Alternating every year between undergraduates and graduates, the Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship is given for $2,000 through the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to reward the accomplishments of students pursuing broadcasting careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. Eligible recipients must be from or studying in the San Francisco Bay Area, attend an accredited U.S. institution, maintain full-time enrollment, be at least sophomores, and provide up to five samples of previous broadcasting work.

Contact

Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship
529 14th Street NW Suite 1240
Washington, DC 20045
(202) 223-4007
karenh@rtdna.org

22. Robert D. Greenberg Scholarship

Deadline: July 1st

Created by the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), the Robert D. Greenberg Scholarship is designed to award $1,500 annually to college students who are pursuing a degree in broadcasting, digital media, communications, or a related major for a career in the technical aspects of broadcast engineering. Candidates must be SBE members, attend an accredited U.S. university, exhibit financial need, have part-time work experience in broadcasting, attach an official college transcript, and write a brief autobiography.

Contact

Robert D. Greenberg Scholarship
9102 North Meridian Street Suite 150
Indianapolis, IN 46260
(317) 846-9000
kowens@sbe.org

23. Ruth Hancock Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 30th

Sponsored by the Broadcast Executives Society (BES), the Ruth Hancock Scholarship Fund is available to award $1,500 each year for three college-level students who are currently enrolled in a recognized broadcasting, digital media, communications, marketing, or journalism degree program. Qualified winners must be devoted to broadcast journalism, exhibit leadership qualities, possess a strong moral character, be willing to help others, demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for a career in broadcasting, and complete a 500-word essay response.

Contact

Ruth Hancock Scholarship Fund
20 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 3T3
(416) 899-0370
bob.reaume@gmail.com

24. Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship

Deadline: June 1st

High school seniors and college students in Nevada searching for undergraduate broadcasting scholarships can look towards the Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship to earn full tuition coverage from the Nevada Broadcasters Association (NBA). Eligible candidates must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester, carry a minimum GPA of 2.7, declare a major in broadcast journalism, attend an in-state post-secondary institution, show public involvement, provide three letters of recommendation, and wish to become a broadcaster.

Contact

Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship
1050 East Flamingo Road Suite 102
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 794-4994
foundation@nevadabroadcasters.org

25. Vincent T. Wasilewski Scholarship

Deadline: October 13th

Offered by the Broadcasting Education Association (BEA) as a graduate digital media scholarship, the Vincent T. Wasilewski Scholarship is given for $4,000 annually to students earning a master’s degree related to any area of broadcast journalism. Qualified applicants must be enrolled full-time in an approved institution, be dedicated to a career in electronic media, show superior academic performance, possess a high level of integrity, submit a resume, and demonstrate potential in broadcasting.

Contact

Vincent T. Wasilewski Scholarship
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 429-3935
BEAMemberServices@nab.org
Scholarship Link

Broadcasting and digital media is often a lucrative, fulfilling career path for extroverts wishing to educate the public on stories of interest, but you’ll first need to invest in at least a bachelor’s degree. With today’s growing tuition costs, financial aid in the form of broadcasting scholarships is essential to ensure loan debt won’t stand in the way of your job prospects upon graduation. These are just 25 excellent scholarships for broadcasting and digital media majors available for helping future shining stars like you reach professional success.

See also: 25 Great Scholarships for Journalism Majors