Where would society be without communications? Communications is a vital area of study which can propel students into a wide range of exciting career choices. From broadcast technicians to PR specialists, reporters, writers, and more, job prospects are solid across the board and look promising in the future, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Paying for the education necessary to land these jobs is a big hurdle for many students, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 Communications scholarships to get you started on your quest for funding!
Scholarship Tips For College Students
Before we jump in, let’s review some common tips to boost your odds of scoring a communications scholarship!
Screen for eligibility
There are countless organizations offering communications scholarships, but each has its own unique set of eligibility criteria. To save time during your search for funding, scan criteria first to see if you’re eligible before reviewing full details of each opportunity.
Heed the deadline
After determining eligibility, take note of the scholarship’s application due date. If it’s too late this year, just keep the link and check back when the window is open for submissions again.
Submit a compelling application
You never know how many students will apply to any given scholarship opportunity. Assume that there’s going to be competition and make sure your application is error-free and compelling.
If the sponsoring organization wants an essay, take time to write something that addresses any questions asked. Put yourself in their shoes, and submit an application package that’s sure to win them over.
10 Scholarships for Communications
NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship
Co-sponsored by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship Program awards $5,000 to undergraduate Latinos studying for media and entertainment careers. Awards are granted in two payments of $2,500. Applicants should be rising sophomores and juniors with at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Submissions are due in July.
Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarship
The Alpha Omega Council of New England provides $5,000+ scholarships to Greek American graduate and undergrad students enrolled full-time in communications-related majors. Applications are due by March 31, 2022 and must include an essay describing values from the student’s Greek heritage that will apply to their future career.
OAB Foundation Scholarship
Sponsored by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters, this award is given out to students majoring in broadcast journalism, production, management, or broadcast-related fields. Applicants must attend public or nonprofit colleges. Award amounts vary and submissions are due by November 30, 2021.
William Kirtley “Kirt” Jacobs Family Scholars Media, Arts and Communications Scholarship
Sigma Chi International Fraternity is one of America’s largest fraternities. The Sigma Chi Foundation offers $1,000+ scholarship awards to members pursuing graduate degrees in media, arts, or communications. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation by the deadline of March 30, 2022.
Robert W. Mong, Jr. Journalism Scholarship presented by The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Foundation sponsors the Robert W. Mong, Jr. Journalism Scholarship, given to high school seniors interested in journalism, public relations, or communications careers. Award amounts range from $1,000 – $5,000. Applicants must be residents of either Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall, or Tarrant County and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Scholarship Program
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association offers funding to college students majoring in one of several listed options, including communications and marketing. Award amounts may go as high as $5,000 or more. Applicants should submit a resume and reference letters. The submission window reopens in February.
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
On behalf of the Ford Foundation, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine awards postdoctoral fellowships worth up to $50,000. Applicants must demonstrate superior academic achievement, the promise of future scholarly achievement, and a commitment to college-level teaching and research. The deadline is December 10, 2021.
Inter American Press Association Scholarship
The Inter American Press Association is a non-profit working to promote and protect freedom of the press. Scholarships of up to $20,000 are given to reporters, newspaper editors, broadcasters, and other workers in the communications field. Applicants may need to provide proof of English, Spanish, or Portuguese language skills. Submissions are due January 31, 2022.
Stoody-West Fellowship for Graduate Study in Religious Journalism
United Methodist Communications promotes denominational leadership with its graduate fellowship program for “religion journalism” students. Applicants must be involved with the church, demonstrate academic achievement, and have journalistic talent or experience. Award amounts are up to $6,000 and submissions are due March 15, 2022.
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Scholarship
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation provides $1,000 – $2,000 scholarships to students who have finished half their degrees in a media-related program. Applicants must submit an essay answering one of the question prompts and must intend to work in an audiovisual or digital/social media field. Submissions are due November 5, 2021.
Find More College Scholarships
There are dozens of scholarships available to communications students around the nation. Many are based on geographic location. Others are focused on socioeconomic factors or other personalized characteristics.
The fastest way to find and sort them all is by using our handy scholarship search filter. Select filters such as keywords, deadlines, area of study, and more. There’s no easier way to find thousands of dollars in scholarship opportunities, all through one portal!
Data Source: Peterson’s Databases copyright 2021 Peterson’s LLC All rights reserved
Matt is a retired Air Force veteran and former courtesy faculty at Oregon State University's AFROTC department.
As a freelance copywriter and content creator, he's written for over 250+ companies around the world. Matt specializes in career and higher education topics, with the aim of helping students find the best college programs for their career goals.