2023 Scholarships, Project Funding Awards for Journalism Students
March 11, 2023
This year, the CSUN Department of Journalism offers 13 scholarships and project funding awards to its students. Included are two new sources of financial support for students from traditionally underserved communities. Both are sponsored by donations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Eligible students also have access to the $14,000 Flip Wilson Memorial Scholarship, which helps finance the senior year for one Journalism major, and several other awards and scholarships, such as the $4,000 Tony Ross Memorial scholarship. All applicants must be undergraduate Journalism majors or graduate students in the Mass Communication program. All recipients must send a thank-you letter to donors to receive their scholarships and enterprise/project awards.
All applications are due April 7, except for the Journalism Alumni Association’s scholarship, which is due by March 31.
Completed applications must be submitted with any pertinent attachments, via email, at jour99@csun.edu. Include your name and “2023 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS APPLICATION” in the subject line and address your application to the Journalism Department Scholarship Committee. Note: Applications require electronic signatures. See forms for eligibility criteria and requirements.
Winners will be announced at the Department’s annual Awards Reception and Kappa Tau Alpha initiation event on May 10.
THE FLIP WILSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $14,000
This scholarship can be used for tuition, room, board, books and fees for a student’s senior school year. Applicants must be at least a junior, have at least a 3.0 GPA and submit a 2,500-3,000-word critical essay about the late comedian Flip Wilson’s contributions to comedy or television. Applicants must be enrolled in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
TONY ROSS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – 2 @ $4,000
Named after an aspiring journalism student who passed away in 1979, this honors the best portfolio of work submitted by a journalism student, with at 3.0 GPA or better who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community service. Submissions must show “great enthusiasm and promise for a career in broadcasting, reporting, editing, multimedia, social media, design and photojournalism, as well as community and participatory media.”
HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION DIVERSITY STUDENT PROJECT GRANT – $3,500
This grant will support undergraduate and graduate students in the planning, implementation and development of new media projects related to groups considered historically underrepresented in the broad field of film and the film industry for dissemination in the Department’s student media outlets and/or Public Relations agency. The fund covers instructionally-related expenses, which may include travel funding, conference attendance, workshop or event fees, technology, materials and/or other opportunity related costs.
HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION DIVERSITY FUND SCHOLARSHIP – 4 @ $2,500
This scholarship is designed to support juniors or seniors (with at least two semesters remaining to degree) from traditionally underserved communities and/or representing traditionally underrepresented groups, with demonstrated financial need. Applicants submit an essay showing how their own background would inform their journalistic or PR work to advance an accurate and comprehensive portrayal of diversity in the entertainment, media and PR industries.
KEITH GOLDSTEIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $2,000
Named for the late KCSN news director, this honors the best portfolio of work submitted by a junior-level journalism undergraduate, regardless of emphasis. Submissions must show creative, independent and critical-thinking ability; high ethical and research standards; diversity of subjects and people portrayed; and/or diversity of publics and communities engaged.
MANLEY WITTEN MEMORIAL AWARD – $2,000
Named for the late Sundial publisher, this honors the best portfolio of work submitted by a journalism student, regardless of emphasis or seniority. Submissions must show creative, independent and critical-thinking ability; high ethical and research standards; diversity of subjects and people portrayed; and/or diversity of publics and communities engaged.
TOM REILLY STUDENT JOURNALISM ENTERPRISE FUND – 2 @ $2,000
Named for the late faculty member and longtime department chair, this scholarship provides funding to support project or enterprise, which is part of a student’s curriculum. Journalism majors / Mass Communication graduate students eligible. Must be at least a junior, full-time status. Preference: Projects/ enterprises that engage news reporting and presentation.
NATIONAL NOTARY ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP – 2 @ $1,000
The National Notary Association Scholarships will be awarded to junior journalism majors who demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Applicants must have at least a 2.8 GPA and be or entering their junior year in Fall 2023.
LISA ENDIG JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP – $1,000
Awarded to a journalism undergraduate or graduate student who shows outstanding ability in writing for broadcast or print media. Serious consideration will be given to students who are overcoming difficulties while continuing their education.
MASS COMMUNICATION GRADUATE STUDENT PORTFOLIO AWARD – $1,200
Awarded to the best portfolio of work by a Mass Communication graduate student. The portfolios must show creative, independent and critical-thinking ability; high ethical and research standards; diversity of subjects and people portrayed; and/or diversity of publics and communities engaged.
LYNNE M. DOLL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – $1,200
Awarded to a junior-level journalism major who has shown a marked capability for non-profit public relations by involvement in community and volunteer activities. The scholarship is supported by contributions from her family, friends and colleagues.
JOURNALISM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP – 2 @ $500 (DEADLINE MARCH 31)
Awarded to junior or senior journalism majors who are interested in a career in journalism, including broadcast, magazine, newspaper, public relations or photojournalism. Applicants must submit a brief essay detailing their professional and personal goals and how studying journalism will help to achieve those goals. Applicants must have at least 12 units remaining at the end of the Spring 2023 semester, with plans to enroll in the Fall 2023 semester. Spanish-language applicants are welcome.
ROY S. AKERS JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP – $500
Open to all CSUN Journalism majors (continuing and/or transfer students) of junior or senior level academic standing. Students will submit an autobiographical sketch, be enrolled full-time with a minimum of 12 academic units remaining in Fall 2023 and submit a 300-word essay.