Jump ahead to…
- How to win journalism scholarships
- Resources for journalism students
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional scholarship lists to explore
How to win journalism scholarships
Before you begin your journalism scholarship applications, it’s a good idea to sit down and take some time to reflect on the approach you’ll take. Try jotting down the answers to these questions, without concerning yourself with your writing style, grammar, or efficiency; just get your ideas out on the page:
- What does journalism mean to me?
- How do I hope to impact the world by practicing journalism?
- When did I first know I wanted to study journalism?
- What past experiences have demonstrated my potential in the field of journalism?
- What have I accomplished that could be applicable towards a career in journalism?
- Where do I see myself in ten years in the field of journalism?
Once you’ve got the answers to these questions, try asking a family member, friend, or trusted adult what they think. They might be able to offer you insights into yourself that you would not have realized! Having all this material spelled out on the page is a great asset when it comes time to write your applications. You’ll already have the bulk of your essay ready, and your only task will be formatting it to be well-written and conform to various word limits and prompts.
Writing a great essay
As a journalism student, you know that different occasions call for different styles of writing. The same is true of scholarship essays! We have a few guides to help you adapt your writing style to one that will be successful in scholarship applications. Check them out below:
- How to start a scholarship essay (with examples!)
- How to write a winning scholarship essay
- Guide to writing an essay about yourself
- How to answer a “Why do you deserve this scholarship” essay prompt
Resources for journalism students
Dow Jones News Fund
The Dow Jones News Fund offers workshops and internships for students of all ages, including high schoolers. If you are interested in pursuing journalism, check out their sponsored opportunities to gain some experience and see what working in the field is like.
Quill and Scroll
Quill and Scroll is a national high school journalism organization. Members receive honor for their high school journalism work, and are connected through networking events. If you are a high school journalist, you can look into joining Quill and Scroll today.
Society of Professional Journalism
The Society of Professional Journalism is a national association which unites journalists and provides them resources. You can use the organization to network with journalists across the country and connect to resources and opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about journalism scholarships
Do I need to major in journalism to obtain a journalism scholarship?
No, you don’t! Each of these scholarships is unique, so although some may require a journalism major, not all of them do. Oftentimes, if you show your journalism passion through extracurriculars (such as working for your school paper) you will qualify. After all, many students who go on to careers in journalism major in fields such as English or Political Science.
Can journalism students apply for English scholarships?
Oftentimes, yes! Many scholarships for English majors are also open to journalism scholarships. Check out our list of scholarships for English majors to browse the opportunities; you’ll be sure to find a good number of them that are open to journalist applicants.
Additional scholarship categories to explore
- Top scholarships for high school seniors
- Top essay and writing scholarships
- Easy scholarships to apply for
- Top scholarships for women
- Top scholarships for Black students
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