Undergraduate Student Scholarships

We offer a wide selection of scholarships for undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State. To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be an officially declared major in digital media production, journalism or public relations. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, academic performance and professional promise as evidenced by your submitted work samples.

Media and Journalism Current Student Scholarship Application

Deadline is February 1, 2027

This year, returning Media and Journalism students can apply for MDJ scholarships via ScholarshipUniverse. Apply by February 1, 2027 to be considered for the MDJ-specific scholarships for which you may be eligible!

ScholarshipUniverse Application and Portal

All scholarships, unless otherwise specified, are awarded based on a minimum 2.7 overall GPA, financial need, professional promise (show evidence in samples of your work) and academic accomplishments. All scholarships are funded in full prior to the fall semester.

Questions related to filling out the form should be directed to the Kent State University Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. If you have any questions about the MDJ Scholarships, contact mdj@kent.edu.

Please note: Scholarships listed on this page are for current undergraduate students only. Incoming first-year students should visit our Future Student Scholarship page, while graduate students should visit our Graduate Student Scholarship page.

Scholarships for Any Media and Journalism Major

Scholarships in this section are available to all current students enrolled in a major within the School of Media and Journalism.

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria
American Society of Business Press Editors Scholarship	Media and Journalism major with interest in trade magazines
BethAnn McClain Scholarship	Media and Journalism major
Dennis G. Cipriany Endowed Scholarship in Journalism and Mass Communication	Media and Journalism major with demonstrated financial need
Douglass Moore Photography Scholarship	Media and Journalism major with demonstrated interest in photography
Dr. Gene Stebbins/MDJ Alumni Council Scholarship	Media and Journalism major with demonstrated interest in broadcasting
Frances B. Murphey Scholarship	Media and Journalism major pursuing a career in news
James C. and Cynthia J. Schrum Scholarship for the School of Media and Journalism	Media and Journalism major, with preference for students majoring in Journalism
John L. Scott Broadcast Journalism Endowed Scholarship	Media and Journalism major with demonstrated interest in radio, television or electronic media
Loris Troyer Scholarship	Media and Journalism major from Summit or Portage counties in Ohio
MDJ Alumni Council Legacy Endowed Scholarship	Media and Journalism major who is the child of a School of Media and Journalism alum
Nancy E. Whitehead Journalism Scholarship	Media and Journalism major
Ronald Dean Clark Scholarship in Editorial Writing	Media and Journalism major with interest in editorial or opinion writing
Scripps-Howard Foundation/Herb Kamm Scholarship in Journalism	Media and Journalism major
The Lloyd W. Hanson and Harvey E. Rahn Endowed Scholarship	Media and Journalism major
The Paula Slimak Scholarship Remembering Lives Lost & Changed on May 4, 1970	Media and Journalism major
Wallace H. and Peggy B. Stroud Endowment Fund	Media and Journalism major
Walton D. Clarke Endowed Scholarship	Media and Journalism major

Scholarships for Journalism Majors

Scholarships in this section are available to all current students enrolled in the Journalism - B.S. program.

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria
Devin C. G. Moore Memorial Scholarship	Journalism major with interest in broadcast
Lisa Katz Pagel Scholarship	Journalism major with demonstrated financial need and Student Media participation
Ohio Professional Writers, Inc. Journalism Scholarship	Journalism major who is an Ohio native
Paul A. and Sylvia P. Poorman Memorial Scholarship	Journalism major
Ralph C. Darrow Scholarship	Journalism or Public Relations major with demonstrated leadership
Robert C. and Helen Westcott Dix Journalism Founders Scholarship	Journalism major from Summit or Wayne counties in Ohio
Roger F. Dreyer Memorial Scholarship	Journalism or Public Relations major with demonstrated financial need
The Katy Considine Williams Endowed Scholarship for Journalism	Journalism major
The Press Club of Cleveland Scholarship	Journalism major
William A. Fisher Scholarship	Rising senior Journalism major

Scholarships for Public Relations Majors

Scholarships in this section are available to all current students enrolled in the Public Relations - B.S. program.

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria
David A. Meeker Endowed Scholarship	Public Relations major
E. Zoe McCathrin Public Relations Scholarship	Public Relations major who is a member of PRSSA
Ralph C. Darrow Scholarship	Journalism or Public Relations major with demonstrated leadership
Roger F. Dreyer Memorial Scholarship	Journalism or Public Relations major with demonstrated financial need
The Ludel B. Sauvageot Scholarship in Public Relations	Public Relations major

Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship

The School of Media and Journalism and the School of Visual Communication Design award up to $200,000 to photography students annually through the Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship. In addition to the monies available to offset tuition costs for the most talented visual storytellers, this program-enhancing gift will also provide additional resources to enrich the student experience. To apply for this scholarship, visit ScholarshipUniverse.

Learn more about the Hagedorn Scholarship

Community/Outside Scholarships

Below are other opportunities for MDJ students, but they are not administered by the School of Media and Journalism and are not part of the MDJ application process. Application due dates for some scholarships begin in January so be sure to use the links below to find application instructions and deadlines.

Other Scholarships Open to MDJ Students

AAF-Cleveland. AAF-Cleveland awards scholarships to junior and senior students studying communications, marketing, advertising, graphic design, digital media, public relations, journalism and more. Apply at the AAF-Cleveland site.
AAF-Akron. AAF-Akron awards scholarships to junior and senior students studying communications, marketing, advertising, graphic design, digital media, public relations, journalism and more. Apply at the AAF-Akron site.
Ohio News Media Association Scholarships for journalism, advertising, marketing and communication students. Apply at the ONMA website.
College of Communication and Information (CCI) Study Abroad Scholarships. For CCI students taking a Study Abroad course. Learn more about Study Abroad scholarships.
The John S. Knight Scholarships. The John S. Knight Scholarships are awarded by the Akron Press Club and are open to all journalism students at Kent State University, Akron University, Hiram College and any local journalism student studying out of state. Apply at the Knight Scholars website.
The National Association of Black Journalists The National Association of Black Journalists will award two scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students with at least one year left in school. Apply at the NABJ site.

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria
Robert Sorino Jr. Family Memorial Fund	Photojournalism minor
The Christopher and Judith Everett Endowed Scholarship for Photography	Photojournalism minor

Undergraduate Student Scholarships

Media and Journalism Current Student Scholarship Application

Deadline is February 1, 2027

Wallace J. Hagedorn Photography Scholarship

Community/Outside Scholarships

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