Scholarships

The Department of Journalism offers several scholarships for declared journalism pre-majors and majors. The department offers one scholarship for incoming freshmen: The Pete Steffens Native American Scholarship. Also the Western Scholarship Center has a complete listing of university scholarships, including some available to entering students. 

In April, the department announces the scholarships. Deadline for submitting an application is early in May. Faculty review the applications and choose the scholarship recipients, and the scholarships are awarded at the journalism faculty/staff/student picnic (usually the weekend between dead week and finals week). All declared journalism pre-majors and majors are encouraged to apply.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, evidence of ability to contribute to the advancement of the field of communications, and, in most cases, financial need. Faculty members will select the top candidates from the written applications.

ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS

AAJA offers a number of scholarships to journalism students, visit their scholarships page for more information.

BABCOCK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Award may be divided among qualified applicants.

CALEB LAINE HUISINGH TRUTH IN JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP

To provide a scholarship to deserving students in the Department of Journalism with a major or minor in that discipline. Preference will be made to applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic merit.

GERSON F. MILLER JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP

Award may be divided among qualified applicants. Professor Gerson Miller was one of the founders of WWU’s Department of Journalism.

JOURNALISM ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is funded by the continuing support of alumni of the Department of Journalism for journalism majors with at least nine completed journalism credits at Western. Selection for the scholarship is based on academic achievement, evidence of the ability to contribute to the advancement of the field of communications and financial need.

MITCH EVICH BELLRINGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established to honor the life of Mitch Evich; Western grad - class of 1984. 

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide student journalists with WWU’s student newspaper, currently named The Front, who show exceptional passion and potential. Priority will be given to majors or pre-majors in the news/editorial track who are early in their career with The Front.

In life and on the page, Mitch Evich had an eye for detail, drama and irony. He died Christmas Morning, 2021 — a poignant touch for a writer who loved a powerful ending. Mitch was a Bellingham native and proud graduate of Western Washington University.

At Western, Mitch was a dynamo of journalism and scholarship. Mitch read voraciously, debated tirelessly and held key posts at the Western Front (now known as The Front), eager to burnish its stellar reputation among college newspapers. He was a fearless opinion writer. His commentaries in support of Western’s beleaguered football team were informed by history, ethics and political philosophy, placing a seemingly parochial issue on the grandest stage of the Human Experience. Such was Mitch.

He made a splash at The Front from the start, winning the Bellringer Award, which was historically given annually to the top newcomer to the paper. In the spirit of encouraging talented young journalists to continue in the field, this scholarship restarts and endows the Bellringer ensuring an annual award of $1,000 that will grow over time.

Here is the VikingFunder if you would like to make a gift.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

One scholarship open only to students in the news/editorial sequence. The Pacific Northwest Newspaper Association (PNNA) Scholarship is an endowed scholarship program established with a grant from the PNNA.

PETE STEFFENS NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP

Western students are eligible to receive the scholarship in any year of their studies, from their freshman year through graduate studies. 

Preference is given to Native American and other Indigenous students from the US or Canada, those with financial need and students interested in studying journalism. However, any journalism student may apply.

Scholarship was established to honor a longtime Western journalism professor who coached Native American journalists. This scholarship was established in honor of former professor Pete Steffens; an advocate, journalist and one of the founding professors of the Department of Journalism.

Merit based, applicants will write an essay of 750 to 1,000 words (1-2pgs) commenting on a quote by muckraker Lincoln Steffens, Pete’s father. Lincoln Steffens, wrote: “Spurred by genuine interest and curiosity, I learned to get people to talk to me. Crooks and clergymen, blatant sinners and would-be saints … spoke candidly to me.” What special qualities and interests do you have to enhance communication, and how will you use them for your work in journalism or public relations? 

PIONEER NEWSPAPERS SCHOLARSHIP

One scholarship based on listed criteria.

RAMON MARCUS GARCIA MEMORIAL VJ SCHOLARSHIP

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for students in the visual journalism program with preference for diverse applicants who demonstrate financial need. However, any journalism student may apply.

SHEARLEAN DUKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

One scholarship for a PR major or pre-major. The family of Shearlean Duke, journalism professor from 1999 and department chair 2005-2010, established this scholarship to honor her memory.

A primary part of public relations is to inform an audience about your organization’s goals, services, etc., and persuade people to support you. To that end, applicants will write an essay of no longer than 600 words (about 1pg) educating an audience about something you are passionate about in a way that encourages them to support that passion.

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST SCHOLARSHIPS

SPJ offers a number of scholarships & grants to journalism students, visit their scholarship page for more information.

STEVEN RUPP MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Award may be divided among qualified applicants. The family of Steven Rupp, journalism major 1980-84, established this scholarship to honor his memory and dedication to the field of journalism.

WASHINGTON STATE TUITION AND FEE WAIVER

Last year, $1800 was divided between two qualified applicants. Waivers are merit awards, financial need is not a criterion for selection.

The Department of Journalism awards annually a tuition and fee waiver(s) based on merit. Applicants must be full-time, declared journalism pre-majors or majors enrolled on Western's main campus.

JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for journalism students with the cost of internship credits.  Disbursement is contingent upon enrollment in JOUR 430. Scholarship is available to journalism majors & pre-majors who intend to enroll in JOUR 430 in the subsequent academic year. Scholarships will be awarded annually in the spring, based on financial need and available funds.  May be awarded to multiple applicants.

Other private/industry journalism-related scholarships

Throughout the year we receive scholarship notices from private and industry-related organizations. These notices are posted on the journalism Canvas page for Majors and sent to all journalism majors/pre-majors via e-mail. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up any information or applications in the journalism office or fill out from the Canvas page and submit the information directly to the organization.