University of Kentucky College of Communication & Information

We are currently accepting applications for most of our scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year.  The application deadline is midnight on April 5, 2013.  Please read all of the information below carefully, and click to review the Scholarship Requirements before beginning the application process.

Scholarships are available through the University of Kentucky, the College of Communications & Information Studies, the School of Journalism & Telecommunications, and by major type as well as through external sources.

To apply for one of the scholarships available for JAT students listed below, click here for additional information, and for a link to the ONLINE APPLICATION: >> Scholarship Requirements.  You must submit a separate application form for each scholarship -- each scholarship has different eligibility and selection requirements, and your application letter and support materials must address those specifics.

Scholarships open to ALL majors in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications: Adam Altman Innovation Award, John D. Chaplin Scholarship, Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson Trust Scholarship, Jesse R. and Virginia K. Grisham Scholarship, JAT General Excellence Scholarship, Clarence & Edna Johnson Scholarship, L. Niel Plummer Scholarship, Sy Ramsey Reporting and Writing Award, Shirley Rose Scholarship, and Bernie Vonderheide Scholarship in Public Relations.

Scholarships for MAS majors only: AT&T Kentucky Scholarship

Scholarships for JOU majors only:  Sam Abell & Dick Ware Photojournalism Award, Bill Billiter Scholarship, Maria Braden Scholarship, Judith G. Clabes Scholarship, Lt. Col. Charles DeSpain Journalism Award,  Joe Hirsch Scholarship,  Joe Quinn Prize in Journalism, Dan Rather Broadcast Journalism Scholarship,  Ryans Family Scholarship, Carol Sutton Scholarship, and N.M. Webb Journalism Award.

Scholarships for ISC majors only: James C. Bowling Scholarship, Rick Roth Memorial Scholarship, Theodore E. Schulte Memorial Scholarship, Sheehey and Associates Educational Advancement Scholarship, and Jeremy Michael Streck Memorial Scholarship.

Scholarships Open to Incoming Freshmen in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications: Bill Billiter Scholarship (JOU), Maria Braden Scholarship (JOU), John D. Chaplin Scholarship (ALL), and Joe Hirsch Scholarship (JOU).

Scholarships:
Sam Abell and Dick Ware Photojournalism Award (JOU): Honors Sam Abell, a retired documentary photographer for The National Geographic Society and the memory of Dick Ware, his friend, fellow photographer and mentor. Scholarship is awarded to a declared Journalism major who demonstrates interest in the field of photojournalism.   Abell is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1991).

Adam Altman Award for Innovation in Communications (ALL): Honors the memory of Adam Altman, a former student in the program and son of ISC Professor Dennis Altman.  Scholarship is awarded to a declared Journalism, ISC or Telecommunications major who exhibits creativity in the discipline.

AT&T Kentucky Scholarship (MAS):  Scholarship is awarded to a declared Media Arts and Studies major. A letter, application and a 500-word essay on the topic "Societal implications of new media delivery technologies" is required.

Bill Billiter Memorial Scholarship (JOU): Honors the memory of Bill Billiter, a UK Journalism graduate and former writer for The Courier-Journal, Winchester Sun and Los Angeles Times.  Scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman that is a declared pre-Journalism major. The applicant must show financial need as determined by the scholarship committee and must have the talent and desire for a career in Journalism. Once awarded, the recipients must show satisfactory academic progress or the scholarship can be terminated. (July 31, 2013 application deadline.)

James C. Bowling Scholarship (ISC): This scholarship honors the memory of Mr. Bowling, a renowned public relations executive who established a very successful career with Philip Morris, Inc.  The Scholarship is awarded to senior ISC students that represent the attributes of Mr. Bowling and plan to enter the business world of public relations.  Applicants must write a 2-page essay (typed, double-spaced, using a 12-point font) on the topic: "What are my career goals in public relations and how will I be using this award to support my goals." (Early October application deadline.)

Maria Braden Endowed Scholarship (JOU): Honors the memory of Maria Braden who taught at UK for 21 years before her death in 2004. The scholarship is awarded to students who have declared a pre-Journalism or majors in Journalism.  Braden is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (2004).

John D. Chaplin Scholarship (ALL): Honors the memory of John Chaplin, a Lexington radio personality whose on-air name was Herb Oscar Kent.  Scholarship is awarded to an incoming or returning freshman student that is a Kentucky resident, shows financial need, is a declared pre-Journalism major and has been diagnosed with a certified disability (be sure to address this in your application letter).  It is the donor’s request that the scholarship be awarded to students that have a certified disability; if none are eligible than all other students that apply will be considered.  (July 31, 2013 application deadline.)

Judith G. Clabes Scholarship (JOU): This scholarship was established by the Scripps Howard Foundation in honor of Clabes’ service to the Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to declared, upper-division majors (preferably print), who have demonstrated through class work, internships, part-time work, or extra-curricular activities an exceptional understanding of and commitment to the importance of First Amendment advocacy and principles in the professional and civic life of a working journalist and/or of the vital relationship of these principles to the preservation of democracy.  A 500-700 word essay is required on the topic “Why the Protections Guaranteed Journalists under the First Amendment will be Essential to Your Career." Clabes is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1997).

Lt. Col. Charles Richardson DeSpain Journalism Award (JOU): Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior Journalism major that has demonstrated academic excellence and shows promise.

Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson Trust Scholarship (ALL): Scholarship supports deserving students who exhibit academic excellence and professional promise. The scholarship honors the memory of Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson.

Jesse R. and Virginia K. Grisham Scholarship (ALL): Honors the parents of Judy Clabes.  This Scholarship is awarded to a pre-major or major who is a resident of Henderson County, Kentucky. Applicant must show an interest in public affairs reporting and demonstrate financial need by having applied for or be currently receiving financial aid as confirmed by the UK Office of Student Financial Aid.  If in any given year none are eligible then the scholarship can be awarded to a JAT student who resides in any of these counties: Ballard, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon. Logan, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Todd, Trigg, Union and, Webster.

Joe Hirsch Scholarship (JOU): Honors the memory of Joe Hirsch, the renowned, award-winning Daily Racing Form executive columnist. This scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman or continuing undergraduate who is interested in working in or pursuing a career in writing in the thoroughbred industry; has a high school GPA of at least 3.0 or and undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 if a continuing student; completes or plans to complete an internship at a thoroughbred racing journalism organization, and has financial need as determined by the School’s Scholarship Committee.  The scholarship amount is determined annually by the Hirsch Scholarship Committees, and can include, but is not limited to in-state or out-of-state tuition. The scholarship can be renewed for subsequent years.  (July 31, 2013 application deadline.)

JAT General Excellence Scholarship (ALL): Scholarships are awarded to students that exhibit academic excellence and dedication to a career in the mass media and communication industries.

Clarence & Edna Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund (ALL): Scholarships are awarded to high school graduates of Pike, Letcher, Harlan or Floyd Counties in Kentucky. Applicants can be either undergraduate or graduate students in the College, and must demonstrate financial need.  Scholarships may be awarded in successive years up to a total of 4 years, provided the recipient has maintained a cumulative 3.0 G.P.A.

L. Niel Plummer Scholarship (ALL): Honors the memory of Plummer, the former director of the School from 1940 to 1965.  Scholarships are awarded to students that demonstrate the potential for academic success.  Plummer is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1982).

Joe Quinn Prize in Journalism (JOU): Honors the memory of Quinn, a long-time sports reporter for The Courier-Journal.  Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore Journalism majors.   Selection is based on scholarship, promise and need.

Sy Ramsey Reporting and Writing Award (ALL): Honors the memory of Ramsey, a Frankfort state capitol correspondent for Associated Press for 21 years.  Scholarship is awarded to students enrolled full-time in the Journalism program that demonstrate excellence in writing or in broadcast journalism.  Ramsey is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1984).

Dan Rather Endowed Broadcast Journalism Scholarship (JOU): Scholarship is awarded to junior in the Broadcast Journalism Sequence.  Applicants must have a cumulative 3.2 GPA; completed or agree to take six hours of broadcast Journalism; schedule an internship at a broadcast facility during their senior year; and submit a 1000-word statement describing their interest and commitment to broadcast journalism.

Shirley Rose Scholarship Fund (ALL): Scholarship is awarded to a full-time adult learner that demonstrates economic need or is a student of minority status.  An adult learner is defined as a student who has responsibilities other than those of traditional students (i.e. is a single parent or is employed full-time).  A 500-word essay is required describing your status as an adult learner and your financial need.

Rick Roth Memorial Scholarship (ISC): Honors the memory of Rick Roth, who taught for 15 years in the School. The fund was created by three former students to honor this "student's teacher."  Scholarship is awarded to students who are pre-majors or majors in ISC; demonstrate the qualities embodied by Professor Roth of tenacity, determination, commitment, leadership, service and involvement. Applicants must write an essay of no more than 500 words that explains in detail which of the traits (tenacity, determination, commitment, leadership service or involvement) they believe they most embody, how they have shown it and why they feel they possess this trait. Students should be actively involved in Competition Team/AAF, Ad Club or the UK Student Advertising Agency; if none are eligible than all others will be considered.

Ryans Family Scholarship (JOU): Honors the memory of  Robert C. Ryans, a UK Journalism graduate and technical publications writer.  The Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding senior Journalism major that has a minimum 3.0 GPA.  Preference is given to residents of Kentucky.  The applicant must plan on pursuing a career in Journalism with a primary focus on Business with a preference to a student interested in technical publication writing (be sure to address this in your application letter).

Theodore E. Schulte Memorial Scholarship (ISC): Honors the memory of Schulte, an associate professor in advertising for nine years.  Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding ISC major.

Sheehey and Associates Educational Advancement Scholarship (ISC): Scholarship is awarded to students who have completed their junior year as an ISC major; meet the ISC internship pre-requisites set by the School and have successfully completed a summer internship or plan to intern during Summer 2013.  Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA in ISC courses with at least a 2.5 GPA overall.

Jeremy M. Streck Memorial Scholarship (ISC): Honors the memory of this former ISC student athlete.  Scholarship is awarded to an ISC major that shows professional promise, can demonstrate the characteristics of desire, education and determination and may have economic need. Preference is given to walk-on student athlete participating in an equivalency sport that is not fully funded.

Carol Sutton Scholarship (JOU):  Honors the memory of Sutton, the first woman to head a major American newspaper when she became managing editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1974.  Scholarship is awarded to a declared Journalism major with strong writing skills, high academic standards, and an interest in a Journalism career.  Sutton is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1985).

Bernie Vonderheide Scholarship in Public Relations (ALL): Honors Vonderheide, who spent 23 years of his public relations career speaking on behalf of the University of Kentucky.  Scholarship is open to students who demonstrate an interest in a Public Relations career, have reporting experience either on or off campus, and submit a 500-word essay on this topic: “Public relations professionals play a vital role in representing government programs and activities to the news media. At the same time, PR professionals also can help governmental officials understand the critical role journalists play in a democracy, and how they go about fulfilling that role. Please describe the specific role you believe a public relations professional in government should take in helping officials and journalists interact in a meaningful way, and thus help both serve the public interest.”  Vonderheide received the Kentucky Excellence in Public Relations Award (2005).

N.M. Webb Journalism Award Fund (JOU): Provides a plaque to an outstanding Journalism major from Eastern Kentucky.  Webb is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (1995)