Application deadline is 5 p.m. March 8, 2021.
Interested students must submit:
A completed application form:
Names and contact information from three references
Your official or unofficial CMU transcript
Your current resume
A completed basic information document
One-page essays for each scholarship and award which requires them (see specific criteria below)
IMPORTANT NOTES
Students must be enrolled full-time in each semester to be eligible.
Students may apply for - and receive - more than one scholarship and/or award
Unless otherwise indicated in the specific scholarship criteria, JOURNALISM MAJOR includes all department majors (journalism; advertising; photojournalism; journalism-PR concentration.) MINOR refers to a journalism minor.
The scholarship committee includes: Lori Brost, Elina Erzikova, Steve Coon, Kathy Backus, Jinhee Lee and Zulfia Zaher
Scholarships and Endowment criteria
Jennifer H. Bourque Memorial Award, $1,000
Signed photojournalism major on file
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Demonstrate financial need
Michigan resident
Preference will be given to a student who is a single parent
The award may be renewable through the completion of a degree as long as the student remains full-time
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit with an emphasis on financial need
Renewable, but student must reapply
General Motors Scholarship in Honor of Tony Cervone, $1,000
Signed major in Journalism, Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, or IPR
Demonstrates financial need
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Renewable up to 3 years after initial award, but student must reapply and meet criteria.
Clarke Endowed Student Journalist Scholarship, $1,500
Journalism major
At least two semesters of work at CM-LIFE and/or college newspaper as a transfer student
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Financial need
Renewable, but student must reapply
Matt Dobek Endowment, up to four $1,000 awards
Journalism major
Full-time student
Students must demonstrate the need for financial support for travel to conferences, internships, and/or study abroad
One-page essay expressing need based on the criteria
Dennis L. Durkee Endowed Award in Journalism, $500
Sophomore or higher
Minimum GPA 3.0
Financial need
Jerry Fitzhenry Scholarship, $2,000
Signed journalism major, enrolled in courses focused on writing, journalism, or photojournalism
Public relations majors are not eligible to receive this award
Funds associated with this award may be used for:
- Travel costs associated with a departmentally-approved internship based outside of the mid-Michigan region. Internships may be domestic or international in nature.
- Travel costs associated with a curriculum-based study abroad program focused on writing, journalism, or photojournalism. Qualifying study abroad programs will be approved and managed by the Office of Study Abroad.
- Travel costs associated with a departmentally-approved independent study project focusing on writing, journalism, or photojournalism.
Funds associated with this award MAY NOT be used to support travel to any conference, convention, or meeting.
Renewable up to 3 years after initial award, but student must reapply and meet criteria.
Pam Klein Scholarship, $1,800
Signed journalism major
Full-time student
At least two semesters of significant contribution as a writer or editor at CM Life
Intention to pursue a career focused on writing (not photography, design or broadcast)
Avid reader of the news media
Non-smoker and non-user of tobacco products
Demonstrate curiosity about how things work
Demonstrate tough fairness and fair toughness
Demonstrate tenacity to do what's right, not what's easy;
Demonstrate clear writing that cuts through the clutter and gets to the meat of an issue;
Demonstrate not only high journalistic standards, but also serve as a role model and/or mentor for other journalism students
One-page essay demonstrating above
Minimum 3.0 overall GPA and 3.3 JRN GPA
Gilbert O. Maienknecht Scholarship, two awards of $1,500
Confirmation applicant intends to pursue a career in journalism and/or broadcasting
Signed JRN major/minor
Full-time student status
Financial need is a major, but not an exclusive, consideration
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit and financial need
Ron Marmarelli Scholarship, $2,000
Journalism major or minor
Junior/senior status with demonstrated financial need
Preference given to student who is first in his/her family to attend college
Preference given to student who has been involved in/demonstrated leadership in a student media or pre-professional organization
GPA of at least 2.75
One-page essay should address the importance of the news media in an era of "fake news" and citizen journalists
George and Vivian Malewska Scholarship, $1,500
Major in news/editorial journalism
Preference for those working at CM Life or Grand Central Magazine
Interested in pursuing a career in journalism
Minimum 2.5 overall GPA
Robert E. McCabe Scholarship, two awards of $1,750
Confirmation the applicant intends to pursue a career in journalism and/or broadcasting
Signed major/minor form on file
Financial need; FAFSA form must be on file with the Financial Aid Office
Full-time student status as a senior
Journalism GPA of at least 3.2
One-page essay demonstrating merit and financial need
Suzanne Nichols Endowed Scholarship, $1,800
Intends to pursue a career in journalism
Signed journalism major/minor
Full-time student status
Journalism GPA of 3.0
Renewable but student must reapply
Opperman Public Relations Internship Endowment, $2,000
Confirmation the applicant intends to pursue a career in public relations
Public relations student participating in an unpaid or underpaid public relations internship
The internship must either be a graduation requirement for the recipient or the recipient must be returning to academic studies at CMU after completing the internship
Journalism or integrative public relations major
GPA of at least 3.0
One-page essay of merit based on the criteria of the scholarship
Dr. Michael J. Petrick Journalism Scholarship, $2,500
News/editorial student journalism major
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Demonstrate financial need
Ken Stevens Memorial Endowed Photojournalism Internship Scholarship, $1,500
Photojournalism major
CM-Life or Grand Central Magazine staff photographer or other suitable media outlet
Interest in a visual media related internship
Junior or senior
Minimum GPA of 2.75
Renewable, but student must reapply
Jim and Carol Wojcik Endowed Scholarship, $2,000
Journalism major
GPA of at least 2.75
Recipient must be participating in an approved student media program or pre-professional organization including, but not limited to: PRSSA, PR Central, Central Michigan LIFE, Grand Central Magazine, Ad Club, etc.
One-page essay of merit based on the criteria of the scholarship
Renewable, but student must reapply
Hart Scholarship, $500
Photojournalism major preferred, but Journalism majors will be considered
At least one semester on staff of CM Life; work experience at Grand Central Magazine may be considered
Minimum GPA of 2.5, GPA of at least 3.0 preferred
Departmental Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior or Senior, $625
Signed journalism major
Must currently be a junior or senior and enrolled for classes in Fall 2020
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit
Leadership Award, $625
Signed journalism major
Leadership in/out of Department of Journalism including groups, events, volunteerism, associations
Full-time student status
Experience with leadership at CM Life and/or Grand Central Magazine or similar field of study
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated leadership
Journalism Scholar of the Year, $625
Signed journalism major form must be on file
Student's overall GPA and journalism GPA will be strong considerations
Full-time student status
Previous recipients may apply
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated scholarly achievement
Friends of Journalism, $625
Signed major/minor on file
Full-time student status
Journalism GPA of at least 3.0
Previous recipients may apply
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit and financial need