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Scholarships
Top journalism scholarships for you
Find scholarships for journalism majors that can help you pay for college.
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Scholarships for journalism majors
Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship
Due: 10/23/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,200
The Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship will be awarded to students who are aspiring journalists. The scholarship will include a $1,200 cash award, and a mentor who works as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest. Applicants do not need to identify as a student of color to apply for this scholarship. Strong preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the importance of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences in newsrooms. Students are eligible for these scholarships if they are either on the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school; or attending a public or private college in Washington state. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Carole Simpson Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,000
Carole Simpson is a former RTDNA Foundation trustee and the 1996 recipient of the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award in recognition of her work to protect First Amendment Freedoms. She established the Carole Simpson Scholarship in 1991 to encourage and help minority students to overcome hurdles along their career path in electronic journalism. The recipient of the Carole Simpson Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. This scholarship is open to students of color. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
RTDNA Presidents Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,500
The RTDNA Presidents Scholarship will be given each year in honor of former RTDNA Presidents Theodore Koop, Bruce Dennis, James McCulla, John Salisbury, Bruce Palmer, Dick Cheverton, Jim Byron, Ben Chatfield and John Hogan. The recipients of the Presidents Scholarship will each receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Mike Reynolds Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
Mike Reynolds, who died in 1988 of a brain tumor at age 45, was assignment editor and then managing editor at KCCI-TV in Des Moines, IA. This scholarship is awarded to a journalism student with good writing ability, excellent grades, a dedication to the news business, a strong interest in pursuing a career in electronic journalism and a demonstrated need for financial assistance. The recipient of the Mike Reynolds Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,000
The Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship was established in 2007 to honor the late Pete Wilson, a San Francisco television and radio journalist. The scholarship is granted to an undergraduate or graduate journalism student from the San Francisco Bay Area or attending a college or university in the Bay Area who shares Wilson's commitment to ethical, responsible journalism. The recipient of the Pete Wilson Journalism Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Lee Thornton Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,000
Lee Thornton was the first African-American woman to cover the White House for a major news network (CBS) and the first African-American host of All Things Considered on National Public Radio. Ms. Thornton passed away in 2013 at age 71 and endowed in her estate the Lee Thornton Scholarship in her name. The recipient of the Lee Thornton Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Students from the University of Maryland and Howard University will be given preference. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
Louis F. Prato dedicated more than 30 years to RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation. The Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship was established in 2001 in recognition of Lou's service to RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation and his commitment to excellence in journalism. It is awarded to a journalism student who brings Lou's journalism values to cover sports. The recipient of the Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$6,000
The George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship was established because George Foreman was inspired by President Lyndon Johnson and by RTDNA Foundation founder Barney Oldfield. In his autobiography By George, Foreman credits LBJ's Job Corps for rescuing him "from the gutter." The recipient of the George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship will receive a monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
Ed Bradley Scholarship
Due: 10/22/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$10,000
The Ed Bradley Scholarship was established by Ed Bradley, who is best known for his award-winning work in 26 years on CBS News' 60 Minutes and as the first African American White House TV correspondent. He passed away in 2006. Since then, 20 young, aspiring journalists of color have received the award created by the late CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent. The recipient of the Ed Bradley Scholarship will receive monetary award and an invitation to the RTDNA conference. Applicants must be students pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. They must plan on continuing their undergraduate education in the Fall semester to be eligible. This scholarship is open to students of color. Applicants must submit the URL links to 3-5 work samples. Links should be broadcast (television/radio) or online news pieces, and should be uploaded to a host site like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc. Applicants must also submit a cover letter, which discusses the applicant's current and past journalism experience, describes how the applicant intends to use the funds, and discusses the applicant's choice to pursue a career in journalism. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor or supervisor. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Radio Television Digital News Association for more information.
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What are journalism scholarships?
Journalism scholarships are financial aid for college created specifically for journalism students. Scholarships for journalism majors can help students access higher education opportunities that otherwise may be out of reach because of financial reasons. All scholarships are free money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
Eligibility requirements for journalism scholarships
Before you apply for journalism scholarships, make sure you check the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify. These may include:
- Minimum GPA
- Community service experience
- U.S. citizenship
- Plans to attend an accredited program
- Leadership skills
- FAFSA® submission
Scholarship requirements vary, so don’t assume you won’t qualify. Keep searching for scholarships that best match your qualifications.
Are journalism scholarships worth my time?
If you want to get as much free money as you can for your education, then yes! You’ll find some scholarships are quick and easy to apply for, while others require more time and effort. Typically, fewer students apply for scholarships that require work (like writing an essay) which means you could have better odds of winning if you apply for one of those.
Pro tip: Don’t pass up on journalism scholarships that have smaller award amounts. ($) There’s typically less competition for them—and they add up!
How do I find journalism scholarships?
From your school to national organizations, there are so many places to find journalism scholarships that can help you pay for college.
Scholarship resources
- The financial aid office at a college or career school
- Organizations (such as professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Federal agencies
- Free scholarship search engines, like Scholly Scholarships
- Local libraries, businesses, or associations
Your high school guidance office is a great place to start when looking for local scholarships. You could also try doing a search for your city’s name and “community foundation,” or the county you live in and “foundation.”
Scholly Scholarships
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
What types of journalism scholarships are available?
Need-based scholarships
These are scholarships for students who have demonstrated a financial need. There’s no universal number or set income level that tells you if you qualify. How each scholarship defines what financial need means varies. The federal government as well as specific organizations, corporations, and colleges/universities/schools offer need-based scholarships.
Merit scholarships
Merit scholarships are for students who have shown high academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievement over their high school careers. Not all schools/colleges offer merit-aid—highly selective schools typically don’t. The process for applying for merit scholarships varies. For merit scholarships offered through colleges and universities, you generally don’t have to do anything other than complete the application to the school itself. For some schools, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to be eligible.
Career-specific grants or scholarships
These are awarded to students who know they want a career in a specific industry. Maybe they know they want to be a teacher, a nurse, or an engineer. To be eligible for grants, students must submit the FAFSA®. To find career-specific scholarships, try searching for your major and “association.”
Community or nonprofit scholarships
Nonprofit and community organizations often receive funding from donors to create scholarship programs for students who need them.
Tips for successful scholarship applications
- Pull together everything you need for the application including transcripts, so you can submit a complete scholarship application.
- You may need a recommendation letter or letters for a scholarship. Ask a teacher, employer, or someone else who knows you to write one for you—and be sure to give them enough time to do it.
- If you’re writing a scholarship essay, follow the prompt, answer the essay question completely, and write from your experience. A few well-written essays that you can reuse for different scholarship applications can really pay off.
- Highlight your strengths and achievements in your application.
- Talk about your financial need and what you would use the scholarship money for if you won. How would it help?
- Have to interview for a scholarship? Dress to impress in a professional outfit. And do your research! Look into how/why the scholarship was created. Try to bring up why it’s meaningful to you. Also, don’t forget to send a thank-you note afterwards.
- Keep track of all the deadlines for the scholarships you’re applying to. If you miss one, they may not extend the due date.
- Apply for scholarships year after year, all through college. As you continue your studies, gain more experience, and try new extracurricular activities in college, you might be eligible for more scholarships you weren’t originally qualified for.
Want more tips to up your chances of winning? Check out our scholarship guide for everything you need to know about finding and winning scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for journalism scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
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Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
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