Scholarships & Grants
Financial Assistance
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Several departmental scholarships are available for students pursuing a major in the School of Media & Communication who show academic achievement and financial need. These scholarships are listed below. Application deadlines are usually in February, March or April for the upcoming school year . Loans, university scholarships and part-time jobs are described in the Western Kentucky University Bulletin. Students may apply for these general scholarships as well. NOTE: Please apply at https://wku.academicworks.com/ to apply for all the scholarships listed below. In addition, you MUST ALSO apply as directed by each individual scholarship and department. You may disregard the Feb. 1st deadline at Academic Works and apply for the below scholarships as directed by their individual deadlines. Information about general university scholarships can be obtained on-line at http://www.wku.edu/financialaid/ or by writing: Director of Admissions Information about financial aid and loans can be obtained from: Director of Financial Aid |
School of Media Internship Grant Program
The School of Media & Communication is offering grants for students doing internships
during the summer term for credit and who are not being paid. All majors in the School
are eligible: JOUR, VJP, BCOM, FILM.The grant guidelines are:
• the student must be enrolled in an SMC Internship class for credit (no audits).
• the internship must be unpaid, meaning the student is receiving no compensation
in any form
from the internship grantor. That includes stipends, freelance work payment, etc.
• the grant will be distributed to the student upon completion of the internship with
a grade of
“C” or higher and completion of all requirements in the course syllabi with regard
to filing
reports, evaluations, etc.
School of Media & Communication Scholarships
APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 4, 2025
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Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Scholarship Current School of Media students are eligible. Award based on scholarship, leadership, involvement, and demonstration of aptitude and attitude. Scholarship Amount: $500.
Joseph A. Dear Minority Scholarship Must be a full-time minority student, with preference given to a student who resides in a county served by Mr. Dear's group of newspapers. This area includes Henderson, Union, Webster, McLean, Simpson, and Marshall counties in Kentucky. The scholarship is renewable by current Dear Scholarship recipients who maintain their scholarship in good standing. A Dear scholarship applicant must be self-identified with WKU as a minority student and must have declared a major in the WKU School of Media & Communication. |
Scholarships for Specific School of Media & Communication Majors
Scholarships for Broadcasting Majors
Charles M. Anderson Scholarship in Communication and Technology
One award for a full-time sophomore, junior or senior broadcasting major with an emphasis in television/film production or broadcast journalism. Awarded based on the personal qualities of character, integrity, dependability, industriousness, and human compassion which produce leaders and merit the honor of the award. Financial need is to be a consideration. The exact scholarship amount is determined annually but is about $1,000. The broadcast faculty committee reviews applications. The review committee may also request an interview. Applications may be obtained online or in the SMC office, JRH-216.
The Julian and Betty Goodman Scholarship in Broadcast Journalism
Award for full-time broadcasting majors pursuing a career in broadcast news and public affairs with at least a 3.0 GPA and junior status at the time applications are due. Award based on evidence of academic success, potential in leadership, possession of the personal qualities of character, integrity, concern for others, and citizenship. The exact scholarship amount is determined annually but is about $1,800.
Procedures for Selection and Administration of Award:
The broadcast faculty reviews applications. The faculty may also request an interview. The committee reserves the right to divide the award between qualified applicants.
Procedures for Application:
All applications must be typed, double spaced, and must include an essay on why the student is deserving of the scholarship. Scholarship Application
Bob Proctor Scholarship in Broadcasting
Award for a full-time senior broadcasting major. Awarded based on personal qualities of character, integrity, dependability, industriousness and human compassion, which produce leaders and merit the honor of the award. The exact scholarship amount is determined annually but is about $1,200. The selection committee reserves the right to divide the award between qualified applicants. Applicants must complete a scholarship application prior to the academic year for which the individual is applying. The Broadcast faculty will make the selection.
Terry Climer Scholarship in Broadcasting
Award for a full-time broadcasting major with at least a 2.5 overall GPA. Awarded based on personal qualities of character, integrity, dependability, industriousness and human compassion, which produce leaders and merit the honor of the award. The selected candidate for the Terry Climer Scholarship must give evidence of academic success and be residents of Wilson, Davidson, Rutherford, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Macon, Dekalb, Williamson, Cheatham, Robertson, Bedford, Marshall, Jackson, Sumner, Cannon, White, Warren, or Coffee counties in Tennessee. Applicants must complete a scholarship application prior to the academic year for which the individual is applying. The Broadcast faculty will make the selection.
The Ken and Helen Given Scholarship in Broadcast Journalism
Award for full-time broadcasting majors pursuing a career in broadcast news and public affairs with at least a 3.0 GPA and junior status at the time applications are due. Award based on evidence of academic success, potential in leadership, possession of the personal qualities of character, integrity, concern for others, and citizenship.
Scholarships for Film Majors or Minors
O'Neill – Locken Scholarship in Film Studies
Recipients must be full-time students at WKU and must be pursuing a major in Film or a minor in Film Studies. Recipients must be graduating in May of 2018 or later and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Financial need is to be an important consideration.
Materials should be delivered to: Dr. Ted Hovet Department of English Cherry Hall 110c Western Kentucky University 1906 College Heights Blvd. Bowling Green, KY 42101 Scholarship ApplicationPotter College Creative Arts Scholarship
The Potter College Creative Arts Scholarship is a competitive award, based on the requirements of the department in which you apply. Award amounts are between $1,000 and $9,000 per year, renewable each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. High school seniors are invited to apply if they plan to attend WKU and major in one of the degrees listed below.
Eligibility: Only incoming first-year students are eligible for this award.
Due: Feb 1
How to Apply: Learn more and Apply on the PCAL Website
Scholarships for Journalism Majors
APPLICATION DEADLINE APRIL 4, 2025
For the following Journalism scholarships, contact Professor Mac McKerral for more information.
(Note: The Amounts for these scholarships are estimates and could change. Scholarship Awards are for the 2018-2019 Academic Year.)
Carroll F. Knicely Journalism Scholarship
One award to a senior journalism sequence major exhibiting outstanding promise and interest in a career in news. Scholarship amount: $1,000.
Frank Sutherland SPJ Journalism Scholarship
One award to a sophomore, junior or senior who is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Awarded based on demonstrated professional aptitude, participation in journalism activities, scholarship, character and need. Scholarship amount: $800.
Louis Spilman Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, honoring former newspaper publisher Louis Spilman, is awarded to one sophomore, junior or senior journalism sequence major. Scholarship amount: $500
Ron Jerrell and Belinda Mason Scholarship
This scholarship is named for the first executive director and the founder of the Kentuckiana People with AIDS Coalition. The award is for one senior journalism sequence major with preference given to someone whose life has been affected in some way by the HIV virus. Scholarship amount: $700.
Thomas R. Curran Journalism Scholarship
Three awards to junior or senior journalism sequence majors exhibiting outstanding promise in print journalism including news reporting, editing and visual presentation/design. Scholarship amount: $3,000 per student.
Virginia Wood Davis Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to up to one sophomore, one junior and one senior journalism sequence major with at least a 3.5 overall GPA. Students must demonstrate need and show outstanding potential for a career in journalism. Scholarship Amount: $1,000 to $3,000 per student.
W.T. and Ella Morris Davis Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to journalism sequence majors interested in community news journalism who demonstrate potential for academic success and possess the personal qualities of character, integrity, concern for others and for citizenship. Preference is given to students from Lyon, Hopkins or Caldwell counties in Kentucky. Scholarship amount: $600 to $1,800 per student.
Scholarships for Photojournalism Majors
Contact Professor James Kenney for more information.
The Photojournalism Program at WKU has several scholarship opportunities for majors at every class level. The following internal scholarship materials are due at the Photojournalism Program Coordinator’s office no later than March 15 of each year. The award is announced by April 15. The awards will be distributed the following academic fall and spring semesters per each individual distribution requirements.
Application checklist for the March 15 deadline to the coordinators office:
- Should have completed the TopDollar application source by February 1.
- Submit one cover page clearly stating which scholarship(s) you are applying for, your academic standing next semester (Junior/Senior, etc), your current GPA and your Hours earned to date as well as a printout of your current college transcript.
- Submit one 500-word essay about why you have chosen photojournalism as a career and how the scholarship could help you in your photographic journey.
- Submit one portfolio. (an online link provided in cover letter or in printed form is acceptable)
- Submit your current résumé.
NOTE: The number and award amount of scholarships are for general information purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee of what you will receive if selected. Actual award amounts vary based on students’ individual eligibility, funds available, and other factors which determine the amount of the actual award.
George & Francis Tames Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Amount:
Four scholarships distributed at approximately $2,000 each [Varies]
Eligibility:
Must be accepted in the photojournalism sequence
Eligible recipients must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior that has been
admitted to the Photojournalism program within the School of Journalism and Broadcasting
in Potter College of Arts and Letters. The student must be enrolled in at least one
course required in the Photojournalism program at the time the award is received.
George Tames was a native of Washington, D.C. and he spent his life documenting the
political scene in and around the country’s Capitol. His career began in 1940 when
he began working as a freelance photojournalist gaining access to various Capitol
Hill occupants. As his worked improved, so did the level of his assignments.
Michael L. Morse Endowment Fund
Scholarship Amount:
Approximately $1,500 [Varies]
Eligibility:
Must be accepted in the photojournalism sequence
This scholarship was established by a generous endowment by Michael and Louise Morse
in 2012 to help support the continuing education of a WKU student majoring in the
field of photojournalism. The award is looking for students that possess, in the opinion
of the Photojournalism Program faculty, personal qualities which produce leaders and
merit the honor of this award. Financial need is a consideration but not a determining
factor.
Eligible recipients must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior that has been
admitted to the Photojournalism program within the School of Media & Communication
in Potter College of Arts and Letters. The student must be enrolled in at least one
course required in the Photojournalism program at the time the award is received.
Larry Powell Endowment Fund
Scholarship Amount:
Approximately $1,500 [Varies]
Eligibility:
Must be accepted in the photojournalism sequence
This scholarship was established by a generous endowment by Larry and Betty Powell
in 2012 to help support the continuing education of a WKU student majoring in the
field of photojournalism. The award is looking for students that possess, in the opinion
of the Photojournalism Program faculty, personal qualities which produce leaders and
merit the honor of this award. Financial need is a consideration but not a determining
factor.
Eligible recipients must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior that has been
admitted to the Photojournalism program within the School of Journalism and Broadcasting
in Potter College of Arts and Letters. The student must be enrolled in at least one
course required in the Photojournalism program at the time the award is received.
9/11 Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Amount:
Approximately $800 [Varies]
Eligibility:
Must be accepted in the photojournalism sequence
This Scholarship Fund is administered by the College Heights Foundation as an endowed
account. This fund was established following the events of September 11, 2001. The
award is looking for students that possess, in the opinion of the Photojournalism
Program faculty, personal qualities which produce leaders and merit the honor of this
award. Financial need is a consideration but not a determining factor.
Eligible recipients must be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student at Western
Kentucky University and be a Photojournalism major.
Scholarship is to be granted to the recipient for the purpose of travel expenses for
a designated Photojournalism project, judged to be beneficial to the student in attaining
comprehension and experiences not otherwise possible.
Although this award is not automatically renewable, recipients may reapply for consideration
in future years. Recipient must possess the personal qualities of character, integrity,
dependability, industriousness and human compassion which produce leaders and merit
the honor of this award. Applicants must complete an online WKU scholarship application
prior to the published deadline each year.
David Cooper Scholarship
Scholarship Amount:
$500
Eligibility:
WKU Photojournalism major
Kodak Professional Photography Scholarship
Scholarship Amount:
Approximately $500 [Varies]
Eligibility:
Rising senior photojournalism major
This scholarship was initiated by the Eastman Kodak Company in 1989 as an endowed
fund to “recognize the best photography majors (within the WKUPJ program) at a key
point in their college career and encourage them to continue in the profession.”
Eligible participants must have declared and be accepted into the WKU photojournalism
program at the time of the award decision. The scholarship is awarded only to full-time
(minimum of 12 hours) students who have completed at least one-year of college work
and have at least one full year of work remaining before graduation at the Bachelor
level. The award (which averages approximately $500) is divided equally between the
fall and spring semesters and applied towards your tuition. You must maintain a full-time
enrollment both semesters to receive the full amount of the award.
Lynn DeLaney Saunders
Scholarship Amount:
Approximately $400 [Varies]
Eligibility:
Rising senior photojournalism major
This scholarship was established thru the philanthropy of the Scripps Howard Foundation
after the untimely car-accident death in 1999 of WKU PJ graduate Lynn Saunders.
The recipient must be a full-time rising senior at Western Kentucky University and
pursuing a degree in photojournalism. The recipient must also be maintaining a minimum
GPA of 2.5.
Application materials required: portfolio, resume and 500-word essay on what photojournalism means to you.
Contact Professor James Kenneyfor more information.
External Scholarships and Grants
- National Press Photographers Foundation
- Alexia Foundation
- Hearst Journalism Awards
- The W. Eugene Smith Grant for student photographers
- College Photographer of the Year
The School of Media & Communication at WKU is ACEJMC accredited for majors in Broadcasting, Journalism and Visual Journalism & Photography.
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