Worldwide communications have changed dramatically in the last several decades, resulting in an increased call for journalism majors and journalism grants. Because nearly every government, educational institute, civic group, charitable organization, business and corporation benefits from and depends upon the seamless integration of information and communication systems, there are great numbers of grants for those in the communications or journalism fields. However, because the field is dependent upon the ability of journalists to communicate well, many journalism grants have certain requirements or application processes that test an applicant’s communication skills. As a result, students should carefully research requirements and deadlines prior to making an application for a grant.
One of the largest sources of journalism grants is from foundations. Large organizations that have an interest in bettering the field of journalism often provide millions of dollars each year to individuals and schools involved in communications or journalism. For example, each year the Knight Foundation awards grants totaling tens of millions of dollars to schools and universities around the country that focus on journalistic studies. These grants are then dispersed to students studying in these fields. The Knight Foundation is only one of hundreds of organizations that provide journalism grants, so it’s easy to see how widely available this type of educational funding really is.
Journalism Grants for an Ever-Expanding Field
One of the reasons for the large number and wide availability of journalism grants is because of the rapid expansion of communications fields. While previously only print and broadcast opportunities were available to journalism students, today there are hundreds of different careers related to communication and journalism. These include advertising, screen writing, script writing and producing, editorial work, internet based communications, blogging, directing and other related fields. Grants for students studying in any of these areas are plentiful because nearly every group, business, individual, school or organization can benefit from the product of efficient communications or journalism.
Other than foundations, the federal government is another significant source of journalism grants. While most of the potential awards offered by the United States Department of Education are not specifically for journalism or communications fields, they can be used by students majoring in these areas. Journalism or communications majors can make use of the federal Pell grant, which awards up to $5550 per academic year to students with financial need. Journalism students attempting to rapidly complete a degree may be eligible to receive this grant twice in the same year.
Students that qualify for the Pell grant often also qualify for the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity grant, which can provide an additional $4000 on top of the Pell’s $5550. Journalism students who have studied hard and tested well may qualify for Academic Competitiveness grants and Honors Programs grants. Additionally, communications majors that intend to teach later may be eligible for the TEACH grant, which provides free educational funding to students who commit to teaching for 4-5 years in a school that services low income families. By completing a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a student can also qualify for journalism grants offered by schools directly. This is because schools often use information provided on the FAFSA to make internal program award determinations.
Students are strongly recommended to seek other forms of grants for their studies. These may come from private individuals, civic groups, or local church and religious organizations. Small newspapers, radio stations, and other communication centers may also offer grants to journalism or communications majors. In order to apply, students must conduct thorough research and submit accurate applications prior to any deadlines. Because journalism grants are only offered once per year, it’s vital to ensure that applications are correct and complete the first time