External Scholarships (updated for 2024)
The following scholarship opportunities are offered outside of California State University, Long Beach, however they are journalism or public relations related and offered by reputable organizations. You may link directly to their scholarship information by clicking the organization name and link.
2024 Scholarships
SPJLA Scholarships OPEN TO APPLY (deadline 5/15/2024)
The 2024 SPJ/LA scholarship award application submission window is now open. Deadline to apply is May 15th, 2024. All applications with attachments and links are to be sent to this email address. SPJ/LA offers six separate scholarships totaling $9,500 to students seeking to enter news, sports or photojournalism media careers and are from or attending universities or colleges in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Each scholarship has specific qualification requirements. Click here to apply!
Radio and Television News Association of Southern California (Golden Mike Awards) (deadline 2/28/2024)
https://form.123formbuilder.com/6502811/2024-rtna-scholarship-application
Past Scholarships
Kappa Tau Alpha (deadline 2/1/2024)
https://www.kappataualpha.net/student-scholarship/
2023 Scholarships
SPJ/LA (deadline 5/15/2023)
PRSA Los Angeles (deadline 4/30/2023)
ESPN / Women in Sports Media
https://allwomeninmedia.org/foundation/scholarships/
The LAGRANT Foundation (2023 Scholarships)
Multiple Scholarship Opportunities
https://cla.csulb.edu/departments/journalism/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LAGRANT.pdf
2023 AAJA Sports Scholarship, Fellowship, Internship Opportunities (deadline 1/30/2023)
2022 Scholarships
The JAMES ALAN COX FOUNDATION (deadline to apply November 15, 2022)
SPJ/LA (Deadline May 15, 2022)
Various Amounts
Apply: Download Application
The 2022 SPJ/LA scholarship award application submission window is now open. Deadline to apply is May 15th, 2022. All applications with attachments and links are to be sent to this email address.
SPJ/LA offers six separate scholarships totaling $9,500 to students seeking to enter news, sports or photojournalism media careers and are from or attending universities or colleges in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Each scholarship has specific qualification requirements.
RTNA Southern California Journalism Scholarship (Deadline April 17, 2022)
Amount: $1000+
Apply: Download Application
The Radio and Television News Association of Southern California (RTNA) is the Southland’s leading
organization for broadcast journalists. One scholarship is named in honor of the late Jim Zaillian, who served as KNX
news director for ten years. Zaillian was an active member of RTNA and had a special interest in the education of
broadcast journalism students. Other scholarships are named in honor of legendary anchors Jerry Dunphy
(KCBS/KCAL,KABC) and Hal Fishman (KTLA) and long-time broadcast journalist and former RTNA President Carol
Breshears. Breshears was the first female news director in the Los Angeles market. Winners will receive their scholarship
awards at the Golden Mike Awards Dinner on May 21, 2022.
Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship (Deadline October 21, 2021)
Amount: $2,500
Apply: Download Application
Applications for the Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship are due in just one week! The Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship will provide $2,500 in tuition support for an LGBTQ student who has demonstrated an interest in sports journalism and a dedication to fair and accurate LGBTQ coverage. Interested candidates should submit their application by noon ET on October 21.
Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in journalism and be able to demonstrate their passion and commitment to sports journalism as a profession. Selection will be based on journalistic and scholastic ability and their capability to creatively demonstrate their pursuit to cover sports in the journalism industry. Applicants also must demonstrate a dedication and understanding of the importance of fair and accurate news coverage.
For undergraduates, a declared major in journalism and/or communications is desirable but not required. Non-journalism majors may demonstrate their commitment to a journalism career through work samples, internships and work on a school news publication, online news service or broadcast affiliate.
Graduate students must be enrolled in a journalism program.
Applicants must be NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists members in good standing. The application is available here.
2021 Motor Press Guild Fisker Inc. Excellence in Journalism Scholarship Award (Deadline August 1, 2021)
Amount: $1,500
Apply: Download Application
Los Angeles HPRA Scholarship Program
Amount: 5 separate $2,000 scholarships for students of Hispanic descent in Southern California seeking a degree in Public Relations
- Attend or be accepted to attend a four-year accredited college or university in Southern California by Fall 2020 semester or be enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. Schools in Southern California include those in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
- Be an incoming college sophomore, junior, senior undergraduate or graduate student of at least 25 percent Hispanic descent.
- Have a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA and 3.0 GPA in their major subject.
- A desire to work in public relations/communications industries.
- Major in public relations, communications, advertising, and/or marketing.
- Have a desire to work in public relations/communications industries.
- Be a student member of HPRA-LA (not required, but preferred).
- Be available to attend the HPRA PRemio Awards dinner in September in Los Angeles.
- Volunteer for at least (2) HPRA-LA events in 2020 which can include Scholarship program outreach.
NABJ + Getty Images Inclusion Scholarship
Amount: $10,000 scholarship to a student focused on Photojournalism
The National Association of Black Journalists and Getty Images are pleased to announce a new collaboration to award a $10,000 scholarship to a student focused on photojournalism. The scholarship recipient will also receive a one-year student membership to NABJ and a $1,000 stipend to support attendance at the NABJ/NAHJ 2020 Convention & Career Fair, which will be held July 8 – 12, 2020 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. The scholarship funds can be used for tuition, camera equipment or other education costs during the 2020-2021 school year.
This Getty Images Inclusion Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited colleges and universities in the United States with at least one year of school remaining, beginning in the fall of 2020.
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists
Amount: Awarding Over $50,000 in Scholarships in various categories
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for several scholarships and student opportunities. The deadline to apply for the Kay Longcope Scholarship, Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship, Facebook Journalism Project Scholarships, and Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship, as well as the CONNECT: Student Journalism Training Project, is May 29.
The Kay Longcope Scholarship Award and the Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award are presented to aspiring student journalists who are members of the LGBTQ community. The scholarship awards provide up to $3,000 and $5,000 respectively in tuition to students enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate institution with a demonstrated interest in journalism or mass communication. Each year, the Longcope Award goes to an LGBTQ student of color pursuing a career in journalism. Applicants must be NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists members in good standing.
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists will be awarding five $10,000 scholarships as part of our five-year partnership with the Facebook Journalism Project. To be eligible to receive the scholarship, applicants must be enrolled juniors, seniors or graduate students at an accredited university in the United States. The Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship will provide $2,500 in tuition support for an LGBTQ student who has demonstrated an interest in sports journalism and a dedication to fair and accurate LGBTQ coverage.
The CONNECT: Student Journalism Training Project creates opportunities for student journalists to work alongside a mentor at the annual NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists National Convention and cover a topic related to the LGBTQ community. Students gain valuable work experience, build relationships with established journalists and participate in convention activities. CONNECT applicants also have the opportunity to apply for a Phillips-Green Family Fund need-based tuition scholarship. Work from past CONNECT participants can be found here.
Please contact awards@nlgja.org with any questions and apply by May 29!
BEA – Broadcast Education Association
Amount: Awarding Over $50,000 in Scholarships for Broadcasting & Electronic Media
- For study in electronic MEDIA…
BEA Founders Award – Two Scholarships; $1,500 each
Peter B. Orlik Award – One Scholarship; $3,000
Richard Eaton Foundation Award – One Scholarship; $2,500
Vincent T. Wasilewski Award – One Scholarship; $4,000
Edward O. Fritts Scholarship – One Scholarship: $1,000 - For study toward a career in RADIO…
Abe Voron Award – Three Scholarships; $3,000 each
John Bayliss Award – One Scholarship; $2,500 - For Research Interestin BROADCAST HISTORY…
Library of American Broadcasting Foundation Award – One Scholarship; $3,000 Graduate Students Only - For studies related to MEDIA TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION…
PILOT Media Technology & Innovation Scholarships – Five Scholarships: $5,000 each
The Plank Center Summit Scholarship
Amount: Each scholarship will include air travel to and from Chicago, one night’s stay (Nov. 7) at the Union League Club, one ticket to the Gala and one ticket to The Plank Summit, totaling an estimated $1,500.
- Must be a junior, senior or graduate student from an underrepresented group with limited opportunities for professional networking with diverse professionals.
- Must be attending an accredited four-year college or university in Fall 2019.
- Must be a major in public relations or related field.
- Membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is preferred, not required.
- Must be studying to prepare for a career in public relations.
L.A. Grant Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Undergraduates will receive scholarships of $2,500 each and graduate students will receive scholarships of $3,750 each.
- For ethnic minority college students
- Students must be attending four-year accredited institutions in the U.S. and majoring in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations.
Public Relations Student Society of America
Amount: Varies each year
- Robin M. Urbanski Memorial Scholarship: Must be junior or senior in a four-year accredited college; must show a commitment to public relations
- Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award: Must be a public relations junior; must be of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Pacific Islander ancestry
- Neumeier Family Leadership Award: Open to all undergraduate and graduate PRSSA members
- Chester Burger Scholarship for Excellence: Must be a graduate student studying public relations, journalism, or a related field, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Ron Culp Scholarship for Mentorship: Must be a public relations senior
- Lawrence G. Foster Award: Open to all PRSSA members
- John D. Graham Scholarship: Open to all public relations seniors; winners selected on academic achievement, leadership, practical experience, and overall commitment to public relations
- Stephen D. Pisinski Memorial Scholarship: Must be a junior or senior majoring in public relations, journalism, or communications
- Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarship: Must be a public relations junior or senior
- PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship: Must be of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Pacific Islander ancestry and possess a GPA of 3.0
- Marcia Silverman Minority Student Award: Must be a minority student heading into the senior year; must be able to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to public relations
- Gary Yoshimura Scholarship: Reserved for students in need of financial assistance
CCNMA Latino Journalists of America Scholarship
Amount: Range from $500 to $1,000 per student
- Awarded annually to qualified Latino students who are planning to pursue a career in journalism.
- 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. Must also be a California resident or attend an accredited college or university in California.
Association of Women in Sports Media Scholarship and Internship
Amount: $1,000 + a paid internship
- Since 1990, AWSM has placed nearly 200 female college students interested in sports media careers in paid summer internships.
- Each winner also receives a $1,000 scholarship, complimentary registration and lodging at AWSM’s annual conference and a complimentary one-year membership to the organization.
NLGJA The Association of LGBTQ Journalists Scholarships
Amount: $2,500 – $10,000 (multiple scholarships available, see below)
Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in journalism and demonstrate their passion and commitment to the profession; selection is based on journalistic and scholastic ability.
- Aarons Scholarship
Up to $5,000 in tuition funding to an LGBTQ student who plans a career in journalism and is committed to furthering NLGJA’s mission of fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ community - Steve Mason Sports Media Scholarship
$2,500 in tuition funding to an LGBTQ student who plans to pursue a career in sports journalism. - Facebook Journalism Project Scholarship
Beginning in 2018, Facebook has provided funding for NLGJA to award five $10,000 scholarships each year for the next five years.
Asian American Journalists Association Scholarships
Amount: $500- $10,000
- 18+ scholarship opportunities with internship and fellowship programs
Examples:
- Sports Journalism Institute: Eight-week paid sports journalism internship and a $500 scholarship
- Stanford Chen Internship Grant: $1,750 available to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students in journalism.
- Print and Online News Internship Grant: $1,000 is available to support students and recent grads to have secured a print or online news internship for the summer.
- CIC/Anna Chennault Scholarship: $5,000 to graduating high school seniors and college students who have a passion for journalism.
- Mary Quon Moy Ing Memorial Scholarship: Up to $2,000 available to current college students or graduating high school seniors interested in pursuing journalism as a career.
- Vincent Chin Memorial Scholarship: $500 available to current student journalists; must write an essay about the legacy of Vincent Chin.
National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships
Amount: Up to $3,000
- Must be a current NABJ member (Student membership cost $40)
- Must be an American or foreign-born student who is currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college/university in the U.S.
- Must major in journalism or a communications-related discipline with the interest of pursuing a journalism career
- Must meet the cumulative G.P.A. requirement verified on an official transcript
- Must have at least one year of school remaining at the time of the application submission
National Press Club Scholarships
Amount: $2,000 – $5,000 (two scholarships available)
- Scholarship for Journalism Diversity: One $2,000 scholarship that can be renewed for up to three years at $2,500 per year
- Richard G. Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship: Award of $5,000 for high school senior who wants to pursue a career in journalism
American Copy Editors Society, Education Fund of the American Copy Editors Society
Amount: Top award is $3,000, with four other awards valued at $2,500 and $1,500 each
- Must be a junior, senior, or graduate student.
- Scholarships are awarded without regard to the student’s major or field of academic concentration.
Radio Television Digital News Association, Ed Bradley Scholarship
Amount: $10,000 and an invitation to the Excellence in Journalism conference.
Bradley established the Ed Bradley Scholarship in 1994. Since then, 20 young, aspiring journalists of color have received the award created by the late CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent. Past winners have gone on to work for organizations including NPR, CNN, and Al-Jazeera America. They have enjoyed careers from reporter, anchor, and media attorney to Saturday Night Live comedy writer and White House speechwriter.
- Students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time the scholarship is awarded, pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism
- Winners must be officially enrolled, full-time sophomores or above in good standing when scholarships are awarded
- Students may apply for only one RTDNF scholarship, and past RTDNF scholarship winners are not eligible.
Radio Television Digital News Association, Mike Reynolds Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 and an invitation to the Excellence in Journalism conference.
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 a good writing ability, excellent grades, a dedication to the news business, strong interest in pursuing a career in electronic journalism and a demonstrated need for financial assistance.
- Students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time the scholarship is awarded, pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism
- Winners must be officially enrolled, full-time sophomores or above in good standing when scholarships are awarded
- Students may apply for only one RTDNF scholarship, and past RTDNF scholarship winners are not eligible.
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Amount: $10,000 (multiple scholarships available.
- The Randy Falco Scholarship ($10,000) — Awarded to a Hispanic or Latino student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry.
- The Jim McKay Memorial Scholarship ($10,000) — Awarded to a student pursuing a career in sports television.
- The Douglas W. Mummert Scholarship ($10,000) – Awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry, who has made a positive impact through community service.
- The Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship ($10,000) — Awarded to a student pursuing a career in television journalism.
- The NATAS Trustees’ Scholarship ($10,000) — Awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry.
Bruce Baxter Photojournalism Scholarship/NPFF
Amount: $2,000
- Open to: Undergraduate and graduate photojournalism students
- Named for a New Jersey photographer who was paralyzed in a swimming accident but continued to pursue photojournalism education. Baxter set up this scholarship before his death.
Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship Awards
Amount: $2,500
- Purpose: To honor Arab-American students who excel in Media Studies
- Eligibility: College students enrolled in the 2018-2019 academic year; undergrad Juniors, Seniors and graduate students who are majoring in Journalism, Radio, Television, and/or Film.
The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation: Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Scholarship for the Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment is intended for eligible college and graduate school women who desire to work and contribute their efforts within the field. The scholarship is granted to four applicants annually who are matriculating full-time in their sophomore, junior, senior or first year of graduate school. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required and applicants are required to be enrolled in one of the following majors in order to be eligible: Communication Studies, Marketing, Public Relations, Media Studies, or Journalism.
Overview: Due to the under-representation of this demographic in the industry, this scholarship fund has been established in order to aid women in furthering their education, encourage their valued participation in the profession, and benefit the profession as a whole.
- In addition, applicants must meet each of the following criteria to maintain eligibility:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident of the United States
- Full-time enrollment required at a four-year accredited university
- Must be a Public Relations, Communication, Media Studies, Marketing or Journalism major with a desire to work in the entertainment or sports industry
- Must be able to demonstrate financial need and provide proper documentation upon request
- Must be a female residing in the United States
The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists
Amount: $2,500
- 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.
Sinclair Broadcast Group Diversity Scholarship Fund
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Current college sophomores, juniors
- Established in 2016 to provide financial support to college students interested in a career in broadcast / digital journalism, or marketing. The Fund plans to award scholarships of up to $5,000 to qualifying and deserving students from underrepresented minority groups who need financial assistance to complete their education.