Journalism scholarships can help people seeking to further their writing careers. From organizations to schools, online sites to journalism publications, the possibilities to apply for a scholarship are seemingly endless. The first step you should take is to locate the perfect journalism scholarship that fits your needs.

Take the time to peruse many different scholarships for journalist training before applying. There might be one for a specific school you wish to attend, or there might be a general scholarship available to members of an association or organization. Consider the following when searching for journalism scholarships news and trends:

1. Search through websites of colleges or universities for business journalism scholarships.

2. Read publications that discuss journalism scholarships.

3. Join associations or organizations that offer scholarships for journalism students.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use websites from colleges to find journalism scholarships grants

Going straight to the university or college where you want to attend can be a great way to find information about journalism scholarships and grants. Seek out the journalism department's website to find out if you qualify, when applications are due and what monetary amount the scholarship provides the recipient.

I recommend: Look at the University of Minnesota and its School of Journalism and Mass Communication scholarships. With several scholarships available, odds are that you qualify for at least one of them. The University of Florida also offers a lengthy list of journalism scholarships for which students can apply.

Read publications that feature scholarships for journalist training

Journalism publications are an ideal place to search for scholarships. Locating news about national and regional scholarships can be found in most of these publications. Take responsibility and actively seek out scholarships, which might be published yearly or even as often as the publication prints.

I recommend: Since the site is updated often, search through older articles posted on Editor & Publisher from Nielsen Business Media. The journal is one of the oldest covering the newspaper industry. Sign up for the newsletter sent out by the Online Journal Review from Knight Digital Media Center. You might be alerted to scholarship updates delivered straight to your e-mail inbox.

Check out associations to find a scholarship for journalism

Organizations and associations allow for members to interact with each other and share their common interests. They want others to succeed and do well, which is why it is no surprise that most journalism organizations offer a scholarship for potential members.

I recommend: Check out the Asian American Journalists Association and its scholarship program. It also provides for internship programs and grad school scholarships. The National Association of Black Journalists awards more than $60,000 annually in scholarships, with some single scholarships of up to $25,000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to think about international journalism scholarships. There are numerous universities overseas that can provide an international experience in the journalism field. Even if it is for one semester, securing a scholarship can help cut the costs.

If you want to refine your journalism skills, consider a journalism scholarship for practicing journalists. Every year professional journalism organizations, foundations and graduate schools offer thousands of dollars in journalism scholarships and grants for professionals to continue their education.

How do you find a scholarship for journalism? The first step is to take the time to research what is available, the requirements and how you apply. Some scholarships for journalism are based on specific work experience. Some have parameters such as minority status or your state of residence. International journalism scholarships often have additional requirements such as teaching classes.

Leave no stone unturned as you seek journalism scholarships, grants, and other aid. To help you find journalism scholarships for professional journalists, use the following ideas:

1. Find a scholarship for journalism from professional journalist organizations and foundations.

2. Consider both American scholarship research programs in journalism and international journalism scholarships.

3. Check with professional organizations sponsored by minority groups for their journalism scholarship offerings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search online for journalism scholarships from professional groups

The websites of professional journalism groups often have information about scholarship availability. Check the websites to find scholarships you qualify for and decide which ones to apply for. Note that in many cases the scholarship is for a specific field of journalism, such as travel journalism.

I recommend: Be sure to check the American Journalism Review for scholarship information. It updates its scholarship offerings frequently. Several internships are awarded annually by the Society of Professional Journalists. Check into the specifics of the Pulliam/Kilgore, Fred Archibald, Eugene C. Pulliam and other awards.

Investigate internships, fellowships and international journalism scholarships

For professionals, scholarship money often comes in the form of internships and fellowships. International awards usually require living and working in another country for a specified period of time.

I recommend: The Scripps Howard Foundation's goal is improving journalism. Check out the scholarships for journalism offered by the foundation. The Fulbright Scholarships offered by the Commission for Educational Exchange include travel, study and research abroad. Journalists must have two years of professional experience to qualify.

Find options for a minority journalism scholarship

Many minority journalism organizations award journalism scholarships for continuing professional growth. Most have professional experience as a prerequisite.

I recommend: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists sponsors several different awards. Each focuses on a different type of journalism, such as broadcast journalism and print/online journalism. The Asian American Journalists Association provides several fellowships annually. Awards include fellowships in business, leadership and study at Wharton Business School.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to check for business journalism scholarships from local or regional chapters of professional organizations. Note that some scholarships require you to join the sponsoring organization before you can apply.

The expanding world of online news is causing many people to seek journalism degrees, and oftentimes, journalism scholarships to help fund their education. Business journalism scholarships are often offered by colleges, businesses or private citizens. Journalism scholarship grants can help meet financial needs for students, but earning one takes planning and drive.

Scholarships for journalism vary by school and program, so it's important to focus on the right journalism scholarships and grants for you. International journalism scholarships will be helpful for getting experience abroad, while a minority journalism scholarship can help minority students. Get journalism scholarships advice and ratings from well informed sources and be sure to:

1. Find journalism degree scholarships that are highly recommended.

2. Get advice on what scholarship research programs in journalism will be beneficial.

3. Find out how to apply for journalism scholarships available for your journalism field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get advice on how to find a scholarship for journalism

Applying for scholarships for journalism training can be time consuming. It's important to get advice from experts on how to find and win a journalism scholarship that will benefit you the most. Find journalism scholarships and grants that will benefit your journalism focus and that you are qualified to receive.

I recommend: Auburn University offers advice from one of their academic advisers on how to secure journalism scholarships and internships. Download his helpful advice and learn more about navigating the journalism scholarship process. Ryerson University School of Journalism gives these helpful tips for finding journalism scholarships and internships.

Learn about journalism scholarships offered by universities

Universities and colleges with journalism schools or communications majors often offer scholarships for journalism sponsored by the institution or an alumni member. These journalism scholarships are in high demand since they are open to anyone in the department. Get information and ratings on journalism scholarships and grants offered by colleges.

I recommend: IUPUI in Indiana offers this list of journalism scholarships available to journalism students at the university, along with advice about what scholarships are best for students with certain career goals. CollegeScholarships.org gives you advice about what scholarship application reviewers want to see on your journalism scholarship application.

Find advice about applying for journalism scholarships

Journalism scholarships grants are in high demand and applying for them is competitive. It's important to know how to submit a properly written application that will get noticed. Get tips and help from experts on how to write a winning application for a scholarship for journalism.

I recommend: CubReporters.org provides links to several journalism scholarships available to high school and college students, along with ratings and recommendations. Scholarships.com provides advice on how to choose the right journalism scholarship and links to several well-known scholarships for journalism.

Landing a journalism scholarship requires knowledge of where to seek funding and discovering funds means understanding terminology associated with financial assistance. For example, terms used for financial support include those routinely used such as the word scholarship and financial aid, and other words used less frequently such as campus-based programs and memorials. Expand your knowledge of the terms related to journalism scholarships to access that money. Understand the following words to pinpoint funds for journalism education.

Action Steps
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Memorials

Memorials are financial awards established in memory of an individual who worked in a particular career or field such as journalism. Memorials usually provide detailed information about the individual for whom it honors. The application process is similar to a scholarship. Memorials offer recognition to the recipients and the individual whom it honors.

I recommend: See several memorials posted at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Department of Journalism.

Campus-based programs

Campus-based programs include three types of financial aid. The federal or state government makes work study, Perkins Loans and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants available to eligible students who show monetary need. Work study refers to programs where students alternate between employment and education. Educational Opportunity Grants are available to undergraduate students and do not have to be repaid. Additionally, undergraduate students can apply for Perkins Loans, low interest funds that they must repay. Campus-based programs base eligibility on need.

I recommend: Get in touch with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to learn more about campus-based programs.

Awards

Awards refer to trophies, medals and other types of prizes bestowed upon individuals who do remarkable work in a field of study such as journalism. Awards often lead to additionally favorable circumstances such as opportunities to receive recognition, scholarships, and get creative work published or exhibited.

I recommend: The Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards recognizes thousands of students for exceptional creative writing including journalism and visual arts.

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants assist more than 5 million students nationwide. Undergraduate students with family incomes of less than $30,000 generally receive Federal Pell Grants. Although grants range from $600 to $5,000, the average grant size is $2,000. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements to receive this type of financial assistance.

I recommend: Go to GetReadyforCollege.org to learn more about applying for a Federal Pell Grant.

Fellowships

A fellowship generally means money paid from an endowment to a student pursuing advanced education in a particular field of study. Some colleges and universities use the terms fellowship and scholarship interchangeably.

I recommend: Learn more about journalism fellowships at JournalismJobs.com.

University Writing Scholarship

High school juniors and seniors as well as undergraduate college students can apply for the University Writing Scholarship, funds that promote development of aspiring young authors. The University Writing Scholarship is available nationally and mirrors a grant in that recipients do not repay the funds.

I recommend: Contact Elder & Leemaur Publishers for more details about the University Writing Scholarship.