5 Scholarships for Journalists
- The National Press Club Scholarships
- The John D. Graham Scholarship
- The James Allen Cox Foundation Scholarship
- The Hearst Journalism Awards Program
- The National Association of Black Journalists Scholarship
There are many great scholarships for journalists that can help journalism majors fund their education. Five of these scholarships are discussed briefly in the sections that follow. The requirements for each of these scholarships vary, and while some are academic-based, others are based on need. It is recommended to read over the requirements of these scholarships carefully and meet all deadlines to increase one’s chances of being approved for funds.
The National Press Club Scholarships
Some of the best scholarships for journalists are offered by the organization known as the National Press Club. One of these scholarships is the Richard Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship, which offers $5,000 to high school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in journalism. The NPC’s Scholarship for Journalism Diversity offers scholarships of $2,000 to minority students that can be renewed for three years. Second and third-year awards consist of $2,500. A $500 book allowance is also provided to persons who are awarded the Scholarship for Journalism Diversity.
The John D. Graham Scholarship
Another terrific scholarship for aspiring journalists is the John D. Graham Scholarship provided by the Public Relations Society of America. This program offers scholarships up to $3,000 for students who are entering their senior year of a public relations or journalism undergraduate program. To apply for this scholarship, applicants will need to submit three letters of reference and a short resume listing any practical writing experience they may have accumulated. Preference is given to those applicants who have displayed strong leadership skills and excellent overall academic achievement.
The James Allen Cox Foundation Scholarship
A great scholarship for journalism majors who would like to specialize in photo journalism is the James Allen Cox Foundation Scholarship. This program offers five scholarships of $2,500 to undergraduate students and one scholarship of $2,500 to a graduate student enrolled in an accredited journalism program. Awards are given to those students who display excellence in video work or still photography. Applications for these scholarships are accepted from July 15th through November 15th of each year, and winners are announced in December.
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Also among the best scholarships for journalists today are scholarships offered through the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Founded in 1960, the main goal of the Hearst Journalism Awards Program is to support and encourage journalism training by providing scholarships to applicants that display excellent academic achievement. The Hearst Journalism Awards Program offers 14 scholarship competitions each month in the areas of writing, photo journalism, radio, television, and multimedia. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 are awarded to the five top applicants in each area.
The National Association of Black Journalists Scholarship
African American students who are looking for top scholarships for journalism majors may want to consider applying for the National Association of Black Journalists Scholarship. This scholarship awards up to $3,000 to qualified students who meet the NABJS requirements. People who would like to apply for this scholarship will need to apply for membership to the NABJ and submit at least five samples of their work. They will also be required to provide three letters of reference and submit an essay on a topic chosen by the NABJ.
Concluding Thoughts
Journalism is an exciting career that offers many fantastic job opportunities. And for persons who would like to complete a journalism program, a scholarship can help them fund their education. While there are many scholarships for journalists, the five described above are among the best.
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