Communications Studies Scholarships

An Exchange of Ideas About Money For College

Communications continues to be one of the most popular majors for college students. A degree in communications can lead to a wide range of professional careers, including journalism, broadcasting, advertising, marketing, and publishing. Communications majors may even find themselves working for large corporations in their public relations department, handling press releases and acting as a liaison between the business world and major media outlets. The career possibilities are nearly endless.

Students pursuing a degree in communications will find a wealth of valuable scholarship programs designed to help them complete their college education. Many of these programs will focus on a particular field of communications, and students will have a better chance of winning a scholarship if they have already narrowed the focus of their studies to a particular discipline. Having said that, some general scholarships for communication majors are available for undergraduates who have yet to decide on a definite career goal.

Scholarships for communications majors are highly competitive, and the majority of awards are strictly merit-based. The most common sources of scholarships for communications majors are corporations and professional associations, and colleges and universities.

Private Scholarships

The private sector is a prime source for scholarships for communications majors. Corporations and professional associations routinely offer scholarships for the next generation of communications and media specialists. Typically, private sector scholarships for communications majors will target students with particular career goals that are closely linked to the business or association sponsoring the award.

The following scholarships for communications majors are typical of the types of programs supported by corporations and professional organizations.

• The Electronic Document Systems Foundation administers three scholarships for students pursuing degrees in document management and graphic communications. More than 40 scholarships are awarded every year, in amounts ranging from $1000 to $5000. Among the many scholarships offered by EDSF are the Don F. Lowe Scholarship ($2000), the Joel Cartun Scholarship ($1000), the OutputLinks Communications Group Woman of Distinction Scholarship ($5000) and the Wayne Alexander Memorial Scholarship ($2000). Awards are determined solely on the basis of academic achievement.
• The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students pursuing careers in television and broadcast journalism. Chief among the NATAS programs are the Jim McKay and Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarships established in honor of the two legendary broadcasters. Two $10,000 scholarships are awarded every year to high school graduates who are pursuing a communications related baccalaureate degree with the intention of pursuing a career in television. Awards are determined on the basis of academic merit.
• The Direct Marketing Education Foundation offers a number of scholarships for students pursuing a degree in communications with an emphasis on marketing and advertising. The DMEF offers scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Current available scholarships include the Mike Buonchristiano Memorial Scholarship, the Mark Duda Scholarship, the Lorraine Zitone Scholarship and the Richard Montesi Scholarship. Award amounts vary, and are determined on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.
• The American Quarter Horse Association offers the AQHA Journalism/Communications Scholarship for members of the AQHA of the AQHA-Youth Association. To be eligible, students must be pursuing a degree in print or photo journalism and must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The award is $8000, to be disbursed in intervals over the course of a four year undergraduate program.
• United Methodist Communications administers the Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students. The scholarship provides a $2500 award to a minority student who is pursuing a degree in religious journalism or mass communications. Applicants must be members of the Methodist Church. Final awards are determined by academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to the United Methodist Church.

College Scholarships

Communications majors may find that scholarship opportunities are available through their own college or university. Schools routinely offer financial aid for high performing students, and universities with large Communications and Media Studies Departments are good sources for scholarships. Students should contact their college or university’s Office of Financial Aid for information on scholarship programs for which they may be eligible.

The following programs should better illustrate the types of campus-based scholarships that are available to communications majors.

• Antioch University Seattle administers the David Hoods Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications and document management. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The annual award amount is $2000.
• Buffalo State/The State University of New York offers the New York Women in Communication Inc. Foundation Scholarship. The award is open to students with a 3.2 GPA or better who are majoring in a communications related field. Award amounts vary according to course of study, and availability of funds.
• The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a number of scholarships for students pursuing degrees in communications and related fields. The Marilyn Potts Scholarship of the San Antonio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is offered to communications majors pursuing a baccalaureate degree in public relations. The Skip and Judy Eno Debate Scholarship is available to UTSA students pursuing a degree in communications and media studies. The SMPS “Striving For Excellence in Communication” Scholarship is open to students pursuing degrees in public relations and marketing. Award amounts vary, and are determined on the basis of academic achievement.
• The University of Miami School of Communication provides a variety of scholarships for its attending students. The Bernard Cammarata Scholarship is offered to communications majors from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Cefalo Family Scholarship is available to undergraduate students majoring in broadcaster journalism or film. The Herb Rau Journalism Scholarship is open to undergraduate students with extreme financial need who are majoring in print journalism. Interested students can apply for these scholarships through the University of Miami’s Office of Financial Aid.

A degree in communications offers a wide range of career possibilities, from broadcasting to the boardroom. While the education can be extensive, and the tuition costs and be high, the right scholarship can help students majoring in communications realize their professional ambitions.