The Iowa Newspaper Foundation (INF) again has college scholarships available for students preparing for a newspaper career. College freshmen through seniors in the fall of 2016 are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship awards typically range between $500 and $1,000. This year, the INF awarded 10 scholarships totaling $7,700 and anticipates awarding at least as much in 2017.
Scholarships to be awarded for the 2017-18 academic year include:
Robert K. and Evelyn M. Reiste memorial scholarship
Funded by the Reiste family, this scholarship is awarded to an Iowa student attending a two or four-year Iowa college or university. The student must be majoring in photojournalism or journalism/mass communications. Preference will be given to students who have special interest in small-town newspapers via family business or work. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded.
Carter Pitts scholarships
The Le Mars Daily Sentinel funds an annual Carter Pitts scholarship in the amount of $500. The scholarship is named for the Daily Sentinel’s longtime publisher/owner. The late Pitts was also the first president of the Iowa Newspaper Foundation and the organization’s first professional fundraiser.
In addition, the Carter Pitts Scholarship Endowment Fund generates an annual scholarship. The amount of the award will be determined in early 2017.
INF scholarships
INF will award scholarships to Iowa students preparing for an Iowa newspaper career at in-state colleges or universities.
Woodward scholarship
Funded by a contribution from Woodward Communications Inc., an annual scholarship award will go to a student studying journalism, communications, mass communications, photojournalism, graphic design, marketing or public relations at a college or university in Iowa, Illinois or Wisconsin. The amount of each Woodward scholarship will be based on fund earnings and will be determined in early 2017.
Shaw scholarship
Funded by a contribution from Shaw Newspapers, an annual scholarship award will go to an incoming college freshman preparing for a journalism or communications career at an accredited two or four-year college or university in the United States.
This scholarship is awarded to students who are dependents of men or women who work for Iowa newspapers. The amount of each Shaw scholarship will be based on fund earnings and will be determined in early 2017.
Iowa Journalism Institute scholarships
Funded by a contribution from Michael Gartner and Gary Gerlach of Des Moines, the Iowa Journalism Institute (IJI) will award scholarships to up to two students enrolled in Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. These scholarships will be given in the name of the late David W. Belin, longtime business partner of Gerlach and Gartner.
The balance of available IJI funds will be used to provide scholarships to students interested in Iowa community newspaper careers and who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in newspaper journalism or a closely related field at any college or university in the nation.
The amount of each scholarship is based on IJI endowment fund earnings and will be determined in early 2017.
The Iowa College Media Association scholarship
The Iowa College Media Association (ICMA) Scholarship is intended for students who are actively engaged in student media at their college or university. This would include student newspapers, magazines, radio or TV outlets or online student news services. A student may be enrolled in any field of study but should be actively engaged or plans to be engaged as a student journalist.
Morlan scholarship
Funded by long-time newspaper publishers and owners Frank and Sally Morlan, the scholarship will award an Iowa high school senior from a city or community of fewer than 10,000 people enrolling in a two-year or four-year journalism program at an Iowa institution of higher learning or a student already enrolled in an Iowa institution of higher learning.
The INF Scholarship Committee, when reviewing applications, will consider all applications that qualify for each of the scholarships offered. It is not necessary to apply for a specific scholarship award. Application materials are sent to all high school guidance offices in Iowa and can also be obtained from INF.
The application process is entirely online this year and can be completed by visiting the scholarship application link on the homepage of www.INAnews.com. The deadline for applications is Feb. 10. Awards will be announced by May 1. All applicants will be notified by mail.
Proceeds for all scholarships awarded by INF will be paid directly to the college or university. Each scholarship granted will be for the upcoming academic year and not on an ongoing basis. Students, however, may apply for and may qualify for scholarships in subsequent years.
For more information, see a guidance counselor or contact INF at 515-244-2145 ext. 159.