Communication Scholarships

Golson Film and Television Production Scholarship

The Eva Golson Film and Television Production Endowed Scholarship was established in 2015 in celebration of the woman who put filmmaking on the map in the Mobile and Baldwin County, Alabama community. Golson is committed to supporting students with a passion for the film and television industry and seeing them succeed. Her career spans 35 years in the industry assisting film and video companies with resources in producing commercials, corporate or industrial productions, music videos, documentaries, television movies, and feature films.

Applicants should meet the following criteria: 

1. Hold junior/senior status with a declared major in Communication, Digital Cinema and Television concentration
2. Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

Application submission includes:

1. Essay (750 words or less) explaining the applicant’s career goals
2. Letters of recommendation: Faculty (1)
3. Letters of recommendation: Professional/Personal (1)
4. Resume
5. Transcripts (unofficial)

Hansen and Aucoin Journalism Scholarship

The Peggy Hansen and Jim Aucoin Journalism Scholarship was established in 2017 to honor an exceptional journalism major who has demonstrated a passion and commitment to journalistic integrity. It is in recognition of Dr. James Aucoin, and his beloved late wife, Dr. Peggy Hansen, who are both known for their love and dedication to students in the field of journalism and the USA Department of Communication.

Applicants should meet the following criteria: 

1. Hold junior/senior status with a declared major in Communication, digital Cinema and Television
2. Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

Application submission includes:

1. Essay (750 words or less) explaining the applicant’s career goals
2. Letters of recommendation: Faculty (1)
3. Letters of recommendation: Professional/Personal (1)
4. Resume
5. Transcripts (unofficial)   
   
   

Hanna Endowed Communication Scholarship

The Hanna Endowed Communication Scholarship was established in December 2009 to honor Dr. Michael S. Hanna, Professor Emeritus of Communication. Hanna served USA and the Mobile community for more than 25 years. He was chair of the department for five years, co-authored six textbooks and received numerous awards, including “Best Faculty Member” for Outstanding Service to USA International Students.  Its purpose is to encourage a communication junior or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 at USA to excel in their track of study.
 
Applicants should meet the following criteria: 

1. Hold junior/senior status with a declared major in communication
2. Have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
3. Demonstrate financial need

Application submission includes:

1. Faculty letter of recommendation (1)
2. Professional/personal letter of recommendation (1)
3. Essay (750 words or less) explaining the applicant’s leadership, community and campus involvement, and career goals in the communication field.
4. Resume
5. Transcripts (unofficial)

 

The University of South Alabama College of Arts & Sciences recognizes the commendable academic and professional activities of its students. These endowments and scholarships are made possible by the generous support of donors and provide an opportunity for students to excel in their area of study.

Each year, the college awards scholarships specific to individual programs, departments or directed at certain student groups, although a few general scholarships are also available from the College.

If you would like to apply for a College of Arts and Sciences scholarship please refer to Jag$POT, USA's Scholarship Opportunity and Award System. 

Regional Scholarships

• AAF - Bettie Hudgens Memorial Scholarship
  AAF Mobile Bay established this scholarship in honor of Bettie Hudgens. This scholarship program is awarded annually to deserving students studying advertising, marketing, public relations, art, design or a related field. Students do not have to be a member of AAF Mobile Bay to be eligible. Criteria for selection includes a formal cover letter, a detailed resume with an unofficial college transcript. Applicants must be a rising junior or senior at a 4-year of college, or a second year student at a 2-year college at the time of application.
  
  
• PRCA -The Bettie C. Hudgens Memorial Student Award 
  The Mobile Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama is seeking applicants for the Bettie Hudgens Memorial Student Award. The student who receives this award will embody Bettie’s spirit and tenacity. Bettie Hudgens was a valued public relations practitioner who made enormous contributions to this great profession. For more than 30 years, she was a teacher, adviser and practitioner. Hudgens was the driving force behind expanding the interaction between Spring Hill College students and professionals, building a bridge to higher education and caring about the future of the field of public relations.
  
  
• The John Will Memorial Scholarship
  The John Will Memorial Scholarship board of directors annually accepts applications from journalism students for scholarships of up to $3,000 to anyone committed to getting a journalism degree in either print or broadcast. 
  
  

National Scholarships

• The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship
  The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the accounting firm, Ernst & Young, have created this $10,000 scholarship to support and encourage college students to go into the field of children's television. The scholarship is open to juniors, seniors and graduate students who can demonstrate a commitment to two of the following: early childhood education, child development/psychology, film or television production, music or animation. There is an extensive application form to fill out. More information on the scholarship and access to the form is at www.emmys.tv, or call 818-754-2800.
  
  
• American Advertising Federation Scholarship
  AAF provides a limited number of full scholarships based on academic merit to students from under-represented minority populations.
  
  
• American Copy Editors Society Scholarships
  All ACES scholarships are for potential professional copy editors. The scholarships are open to students who will be juniors, seniors or graduate students in the fall, and graduating students who will take full-time copy editing jobs or internships. 
  
  
• Asian American Journalist Association
  AAJA offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships.
  
  
• Association for Women in Sports Media Scholarship
  WSM offers an annual scholarship program for female college students who plan to pursue careers in any sports communications fields: writing, copy editing, public relations, broadcasting, Internet or photography. Winners in each category receive a $1,000 scholarship.
  
  
• CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California Scholarship
  The CCNMA Scholarships, including the Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship, the Frank del Olmo Memorial Scholarship and the George Ramos Memorial Scholarship, are awarded annually to qualified Latino students who are planning to pursue a career in journalism. The scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 per student and are based on several criteria, including: commitment to the field of journalism, scholastic achievement, community awareness and financial need. Students must be enrolled full time for the entire academic year in which they apply. They must also be a California resident or attend an accredited college or university in California. All winners are invited to and recognized at the annual CCNMA Scholarship Banquet.
  
  
• The Chronicle of Higher Education — David W. Miller Award
  Candidates may apply for the annual $2,000 prize award by submitting up to three samples of published work accompanied by a one-page letter describing the articles and why they were chosen for submission. Candidates for the award must have been undergraduate students at the time of their submitted articles were published. The samples of published work must have appeared in a campus publication during the preceding academic year.
  
  
• Freedom Forum — Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship.
  The Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Conference Program annually awards $1,000 college scholarships to each of 102 high school seniors (a male and female from each state and the District of Columbia) who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and who demonstrate qualities of "free spirit."
  
  
• National Association Black Journalists Sustaining Scholarship Awards
  This competition for two four-year sustaining scholarships is open to any graduating foreign or U.S. high school senior who plans to pursue a career in journalism.
  
  
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships
  Open to high school grads, college and graduate students who are interested in a career in broadcast, photojournalism or print journalism.
  
  
• The National Italian American Foundation
  Scholarships open to Italian American students who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements or those students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements.
  
  
• National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award.
  NLGJA offers a variety of scholarships.
  
  
• National Press Club — Persina Scholarship for Minorities in Journalism.
  Renewable scholarship for $2,500 per year for up to four years. For minority students planning to pursue a career in journalism. 
  
  
• Radio Television and News Directors Association and Foundation
  RTNDA and RTNDF honor professional achievements in electronic journalism through numerous prestigious awards, scholarships, fellowships and internship programs.
  
  
• South Asian Journalists Association Scholarships
  The South Asian Journalists Association awards one $500 scholarship to a high school senior about to enter college and one $500 scholarship to a college student.
  
  
• SPJ — Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Scholarships
  The SDX Foundation of Washington, the educational arm of the Washington, D. C., Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, will be awarding scholarships totaling up to $15,000 to full-time juniors or seniors,
  
  
• ScanDigital Photography Scholarship
  $ 1,000 For A Successful Young Entrepreneur     
  This scholarship was started to encourage students who have a passion for photography to further explore and improve their photography skills. Photography has been a significant part of the world for hundreds of years and its impact is apparent in many aspects of society. Photographers are needed among various industries, and are always in demand. If you are interested in becoming the next great contribution to the photography world we want to support you. We would like to recognize your unique talent and academic success by awarding you with the ScanDigital Photography Scholarship. 
  
  
• The James Alan Cox Foundation
  Founded in memory of James Alan Cox, a television photojournalist, The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists aims to provide financial support to student photographers of high school and college age. Through a variety of funding, including equipment purchases and scholarships for college and technical school classes, the foundation’s mission is to expand educational and developmental opportunities for student photographers demonstrating interest, talent and financial need.

International Scholarships

• International Radio & Television Society Foundation, Inc. Summer Fellowship Program
  The Summer Fellowship Program, the most notable student out-reach effort of IRTS, teaches up-and-coming communicators the realities of the business world through an expense-paid fellowship, which includes practical experience and career-planning advice. Each year college juniors, seniors and graduate students are selected nationwide to participate in the nine-week Summer Fellowship Program.
  
  
• International Radio & Television Society Foundation, Inc. Broadcast Sales Associate Program
  Devoted to increasing diversity in the media and entertainment industry, the International Radio & Television Society Foundation seeks outstanding minority students in their senior year or graduate school to participate in a nine-week summer sales training program. Sales Associates have an exclusive opportunity to participate in a sales training program traditionally reserved for actual station group employees.
  
  
• The Overseas Press Club of America Foundation.
  Aspiring foreign correspondents and students interested in international journalism are encouraged to apply for OPC Foundation's scholarship. The winners receive $2,000 checks each. 

• Asian American Journalists Association Fellowships
  Designed to enable AAJA members to attend mid-career short-term advanced journalism training and advanced skills development programs, these fellowships can be used to defray tuition, travel, food, lodging and other related program costs. News organizations of the recipients must grant them a leave of absence to attend the program. Each fellowship must be used within 12 months of the date it is awarded. Applications will be reviewed quarterly- January, April, July and October. Grants will be awarded contingent upon proof of registration at, or acceptance to, the training program.
  
  
• Chips Quinn Scholars Program
  The Chips Quinn Scholars Program offers training, paid internships and $1,600 awards to college students or recent graduates of color who are pursuing careers in daily newspaper journalism. College juniors, seniors or graduates within the past year with majors or career goals in newspapers are eligible. The program begins with a four-day orientation program followed by a 10- or 12-week paid internship at a participating newspaper. 
  
  
• Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Student
  A $2,500 scholarship offered by United Methodist Communications awarded to a junior or senior minority student who intends to pursue a career in religious communications. Scholarship is to be used for undergraduate study in communications at an accredited institution of higher education. Applications available in the fall; deadline for application is Feb. 15.
  
  
• MALDEF Communications Scholarship Fund
  The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) provides financial support to Latino students enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs in communications, including print and broadcast journalism or electronic communications, as well as students attending law school specializing in communications or entertainment law. Among the scholarships is the Ruben Salazar Scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate involvement with, and commitment to serve the Latino community; show financial need; and provide proof of academic achievement and potential for completion of a graduate or law degree. Applicants attend the school of their choice.
  
  
• National Association of Black Journalists Scholarship
  For college undergraduate and graduate students. (Applicants must have completed at least one full semester of college to be eligible.)
  
  
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships
  Several $1,000 scholarships are awarded each academic year to students interested in pursuing careers in the media. Scholarships are open to high school seniors, and college juniors, seniors and graduate students. Applicants are judged on financial need, scholastic achievement, journalism ability and commitment to the field. Deadline for is Jan. 1.
  
  
• National Newspaper Publishers Association Grants
  Provides information and helps administer grants for minority college students pursuing journalism careers. Several grants valued at $2,000 each are awarded annually.
  
  
• Native American Journalism Fellowship
  Two $2,500 scholarships awarded to Native American students pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism and four $2,000 scholarships awarded to Native American students studying print or photojournalism. Applicants must send a cover letter containing name, address, phone number, parents' name, applicant's college plans, year in school, major, and statement of plans after college; proof of tribal enrollment; official transcripts; one recommendation from academic adviser, counselor or professional familiar with applicant's background; samples of work. Applications due March 31.
  
  
• Newspaper Association of America Foundation Minority Fellowship Program
  Funds to pay for travel, lodging and training fees will be provided to minority newspaper employees or members of journalism faculties to attend newspaper-related training conferences and seminars. Fellowships are awarded twice a year-June and December. Approximately 30 fellows are selected each year. Students are not usually eligible though occasional exceptions are made for graduate students with some professional experience.
  
  
• Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships
  Five scholarships of $5,000 are available to journalism or communications graduate and undergraduate students of Greek American heritage. 
  
  
• The Al Muammar Scholarships For Journalism
  Four scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded annually by the Arab American Institute Foundation to selected students of Arab descent who are committed to a career in journalism. Applicants must have a grade-point average of at least 3.30. Academic achievement , financial need, and community service will be considered. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than February 15. Awardees will be notified in April.