The School of Mass Communications offers the following 10 scholarships for its majors. Students must complete an application form for each scholarship they seek. Application packages are due March 1. The School will announce and publicize the scholarship application process in January or February.

The Alden Aaroe Scholarship (up to $1,000) awarded to a rising junior or senior mass communications student studying journalism with a 3.0 or higher GPA. This award is based heavily on GPA.

The Crutchfield Journalism Scholarship (up to $2,500) awarded to a rising junior or senior print journalism major.  The award is based on academic achievement, financial need and the promise of success in newspaper work.

The Joseph F. Mason Scholarship (up to $500) awarded to a senior mass communications student studying advertising.  The award is based on merit, as well as demonstrated student and community leadership.

The Martha Jolly Grant Scholarship (up to $500) awarded to a mass communications student who has an interest in pursuing a career in public relations or advertising and who is either a nontraditional student, returning student and/or representative of an underserved population. The award is based on academic merit.

The Martin Agency Endowed Scholarship (up to $2,500) awarded to a rising senior minority student majoring in advertising or public relations. The award is based on academic merit, recommendations and financial need. At least one letter of recommendation and a statement of need should be attached to the application.

The Robert Beverly Orndorff Scholarship (up to $1,000) awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate mass communications student interested in pursuing science reporting in print journalism. Academic achievement is the main criterion.

The Scott Stevens Scholarship ($500) awarded to a broadcast journalism major (junior or senior) interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting.

The T. Edward and Polly D. Temple Writing Award (up to $2,000) awarded to rising senior mass communications majors chosen by the faculty as the most promising writers in print journalism.

The Virginia Communications Hall of Fame Scholarship ($1,000) awarded to an undergraduate student based on merit, need and writing skills. A statement of need should be attached to the application.

The Chandra Broadnax-Payne Scholarship ($500) awarded to full-time, undergraduate mass communications student who is representative of an underserved population. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; demonstrate that they actively participate in the community; and submit an essay of at least 250 words addressing the questions: “What does it mean to be passionate?” and “What are you passionate about, and how are you following that passion?”

Here is the form that students must complete to apply for a scholarship.

• Scholarship Application (Word)
• Scholarship Application (PDF)

Other Scholarship Opportunities at VCU

See our “Internship and Scholarship” pages under each of the academic sequences (advertising, journalism and public relations) for scholarship opportunities we hear about or are sent to us.

The VCU College of Humanities and Sciences also has a list of scholarships that may be open to mass comm students.

The VCU Department of Business Services sponsors scholarships as well.

Here is a list of additional opportunities under the University Undergraduate Scholarship Program.