Journalism is a constantly evolving field — television, radio and the internet now dominate newspapers.
If you dream of a career in broadcast journalism, obtaining a degree in this field will help you achieve your goal. And the following scholarships for broadcast students can help make that college education more affordable.
[Learn tips and advice on paying for college.]
The Broadcast Education Association offers students $24,000 in various scholarship opportunities. One is the Founders Award — a $1,500 scholarship for students studying any electronic media. Preference is given to students studying at two-year BEA member schools or those who graduated from one of those programs and are now studying at a BEA four-year institution.
Applicants must demonstrate superior academic performance, the potential to be outstanding professionals in electronic media, high integrity and a solid understanding of their personal and professional responsibilities. Two Founders Awards are given each year.
Another organization that offers a variety of scholarships for broadcast journalism students is the Radio Television Digital News Foundation. One of these scholarships — the Carole Simpson Scholarship — helps minority undergraduate students who are pursuing a career in broadcast media or electronic journalism.
Applicants must be full-time college sophomores, juniors or seniors. To apply, students must complete an online application and submit a cover letter that discusses their journalism experience, intended use of the funds and their future journalism career goals; a resume; and a letter of recommendation from a professor, supervisor or adviser.
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Arab-American students who are college juniors, seniors or graduate students majoring in journalism, radio, TV or film should consider the Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship. To apply for the $2,500 scholarship, students must submit a hard-copy application that includes a one-page statement that explains their goals and why they deserve the scholarship as well as notes they are a U.S. citizen of Arab heritage.
They must also submit two letters of recommendation from professors in mass communications and official transcripts. Eligible students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
For those who want to combine the great outdoors with broadcasting, the Outdoor Writers Association of America offers the Bodie McDowell Scholarship. Up to three or more undergraduate and graduate students may receive the scholarship, which can range between $1,000 and $5,000.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in outdoor communications, such as print journalism, photography, film, art or broadcast journalism. They must also submit an application, transcript, letter of recommendation, examples of their outdoor communication experience and a one- to two-page statement describing their career goals. The application deadline is March 1 .
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Outdoor communication students can also apply for the National Weather Association’s Broadcast Meteorology Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is open to any undergraduate entering sophomore year or higher; seniors who have a final fall semester to complete are also eligible to apply.
Applicants must be pursuing a career in broadcast meteorology. Application materials include transcripts, two letters or recommendation and a one-page statement in which applicants detail why they want to be a broadcast meteorologist and what their future plans are.
Applicants must also submit a YouTube video of two full on-camera weathercasts that they prepared, including the associated graphics. The application process usually opens in January or February with applications due by mid-May.
Students pursuing radio broadcasting should check out the BMI Founders Award for Radio Broadcasting. This $5,000 scholarship is open to enrolled full- and part-time students ages 17-24 in applicable majors, such as broadcast journalism, broadcasting and mass communications or radio and TV broadcast technology.
In addition to the application, a transcript and a letter of recommendation, students must submit an original written or video essay response to one of three prompts. Applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
For those who would rather be in the control booth and learning the technical side of broadcasting, the Society of Broadcast Engineers offers four Ennes Scholarships. These awards can be used for tuition, room and board or books at postsecondary institutions or technical programs that the scholarship committee approves. Although any eligible student can apply, preference is given to those who are SBE members.
Application requirements vary by scholarship and may include an autobiography of the applicant’s goals and interests in broadcasting, transcripts and a description of how the individual would use the award. The deadline to apply is July 1 , and students may apply for more than one scholarship.
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Make Yourself Heard With Broadcast Scholarships originally appeared on usnews.com
