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Undergraduate Scholarships

There are a number of donor-funded named scholarships that are available to undergraduates currently enrolled in the School of Communication. 

All scholarships require a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher, unless otherwise noted. Additional criteria are listed under each scholarship.

To apply for 2019-2020 undergraduate scholarship(s), submit the application by April 29, 2019 at 8:00 AM.

For more information about our undergraduate scholarships, please contact SOC's Office of Student and Academic Affairs at 202-885-2016 or communication@american.edu. 

 

Freshmen

The William Kermit Barclift Scholarship was established by Helen and Kermit T. Barclift in memory of their son William Kermit Barclift, '68, MA '69. The scholarship is awarded to a current freshman enrolled full-time in the School of Communication, and is based on academic merit and financial need. It is not renewable from year to year.

Number of Awards: 1
Amount: Up to $2,000

Film and Media Arts

The Michael Forman and Bonnie Brae Forman Endowed Scholarship was established by trustee emeritus Michael R. Forman. This scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in Film and Media Arts who has excelled in the field. It is renewable from year to year.

Number of Awards: 2
Amount: Up to $5,000

Journalism

The Miriam Ottenberg Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Miriam Ottenberg, a former reporter for the Washington Star, by friends and family. This scholarship is awarded to a full-time rising junior or senior student majoring in Journalism who is in good standing and has financial need. Secondary consideration will be given to students in other majors in the School of Communication. The scholarship is renewable from year to year.

Number of Awards: 1
Amount: Up to $5,000

The Nick Charles Scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing a Journalism degree. Preference will be given to students of color who demonstrate a dedication to expanding diversity within the field of broadcast journalism and who are committed to pursuing a career in journalism upon graduation. The scholarship is renewable from year to year, although the award is not available for the 2019-2020 year.

Number of Awards: 1
Amount: Up to $2,000

 Additional Opportunities

The School of Communication is a member of the Campus Consortium of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. The consortium is a core component of the Center's efforts to create awareness campaigns around global systemic issues. The Pulitzer Center relies on their extensive international network of journalists and partner institutions to foster broader discussions and more nuanced analysis of concerns that span disciplines, from journalism and business to law, religion and public health.

Pulitzer Center Fellows are selected for international reporting projects involving underreported systemic issues. Center staff and journalists act as mentors throughout the fellowship, with final products featured on the Pulitzer Center website. Fellows also work with the Pulitzer Center in efforts to further disseminate the work through media partners.

The Pulitzer Center asks fellowship winners to return from destination countries with multi-media projects that play to the student's strength. Stated differently, the student may produce a print story illustrated with still photos, plus a short video. Or he/she may produce a short film complemented by still photos and a print story.

Eligibility

  • Any current SOC graduate or undergraduate student may apply for the fellowship.
  • Enrolled full-time (minimum 9 credits for graduate students; 12 credits for undergraduate students)
  • U.S. citizenship, permanent resident status, or international application

How to Apply

  1. Download application
  2. Completed Application (submit hard copy and electronic copy to Bill Gentile)
  3. A 250-word project description, this is a key component to a successful application
  4. Resume
  5. 2-3 examples of work
  6. One letter of recommendation, can be from one of the references

Compensation: $3,000
Application Deadline: March 31