The Department of Advertising + Public Relations offers many scholarship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students.
Undergraduate Student Scholarships
- The William J. Hopp Endowed Scholarship in Advertising
- Bukovac Internship Fund Endowment
- Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship
- E. Ross Gamble Scholarship
- George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship
- Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship
- Outstanding Senior Awards
- Schalon Scholars Fund
- Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship
- Stan Stein Scholarship
Graduate Student Scholarships
- Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship
- Janet L. Loria Scholarship
- Outstanding Master's/Doctoral Student Awards
- Bonnie B. Reece Graduate Scholarship
Undergraduate Student Scholarships
Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships
The William J. Hopp Endowed Scholarship in Advertising:
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 recipient, Phuc (Alva) Nguyen!
Awarded to one highly motivated and career-oriented advertising major, this tuition/fee scholarship is made possible thanks to Mr. Tony Hopp, Michigan State University advertising alumnus and former chairman and CEO of Campbell Ewald. Mr. Hopp established this prestigious scholarship to honor his father, William J. Hopp, who encouraged him to pursue a career in advertising.
To apply during the annual application period, students complete the Undergraduate Scholarships Common Application and submit the following additional essay requirements in the application system:
- Resume
- Insights and Analysis Essay
- Identify the three (3) marketers who, in your opinion, have created and are currently airing/running a body of campaign work based on innovative integrated brand strategies that:
- Enhance the user experience(s);
- Deepen consumer engagement; and
- Involve the full spectrum of marketing communications today, with multi-channel and integrated executions (i.e. television, print, digital, social, email, public relations, etc.).
- Identify what you believe was the key marketing challenge(s) for each of the brands and why you believe each of the campaigns you have selected succeeded in meeting this key challenge.
- Identify the three (3) marketers who, in your opinion, have created and are currently airing/running a body of campaign work based on innovative integrated brand strategies that:
- Industry Engagement Description
- Provide a brief description of your internships, work experience, or other examples of your personal interest in integrated communications and the role they have played in your decision to pursue a career in advertising (250 words maximum).
- Passion Description
- Provide 3-5 short examples that demonstrate your passion for and commitment to pursuing a career in advertising.
- Career Plans Description
- Describe any coursework taken outside of advertising major requirements that has been meaningful in your pursuit of a career in marketing communications. And why was this coursework meaningful to you with regard to your career aspirations?
- What are the three (3) most important criteria that will guide you in selecting a company to work for upon your graduation from Michigan State University?
- (250 words maximum)
APPLICATION CRITERIA:
- Juniors or Seniors (by Fall 2026)
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- Participate in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrate excellence in an AD+PR-related area
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Meets application criteria
- Quality and impact of application materials
Bukovac Internship Fund Endowment
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Lily Sacco and Maeve Craven!
The Jan Bukovac Internship Fund Endowment awards students with financial support while they are completing an internship in an Advertising or Public Relations role.
- Students must be participating in an internship for academic credit at MSU
- Preference will be given to students with unpaid internships
Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipient, Whitney Byard!
The Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship is named for Mr. Richard Augenstein who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. A Lansing resident, he was associated with the Michigan Manufacturers Association, where he served as its vice president for government affairs.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Sophomores and above
- PR Major or Minor
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- PRSSA member (active participation preferred)
- Interest and intention to pursue a public relations career
- Financial need will be considered
E. Ross Gamble Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Angela Kim and Brenden Hatto!
The E. Ross Gamble Memorial Scholarship is awarded to MSU advertising majors who demonstrate academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Sophomores and above
- Advertising Major
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA/3.5 Major GPA
- Financial need will be considered
George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Tate Rudisill and Oliver Angel!
The George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Mr. George Katsarelas, MSU alumnus and former executive creative director at Leo Burnett Detroit, Inc. Katsarelas was revered for his ability to lead, mentor and help his colleagues achieve greatness. This scholarship is awarded to a high-achieving advertising student pursuing a career in advertising.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Juniors or Seniors
- Advertising Major
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- Participation in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
- Financial need may be considered
American Advertising Federation, Lansing Chapter Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Jasmyn Miller and Mary Len Flager!
The Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship is awarded to an MSU junior or senior majoring in advertising creative. Selection is based on academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Juniors or Seniors
- Advertising Creative Major
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- Participation in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
- Financial need will be considered
Outstanding Senior Award
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Brayden Opie (Outstanding Senior in Advertising Creative), Michael Sly (Outstanding Senior in Advertising Management), and Amanda Vogel (Outstanding Senior in Public Relations)!
Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards three graduating seniors an Outstanding Senior Award (for Advertising Management, Advertising Creative and Public Relations).
MSU faculty can nominate a student for the Outstanding Senior Award:
Outstanding Senior Award Nomination Form
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Based on faculty nominations
Schalon Scholars Fund
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Ellen Young, Jia Tong Zhao, Magdalene Johnson!
The Schalon Scholars Fund provides tuition support or support for internship experiences. This scholarship is named in honor of the Schalon family, which includes Ms. Marcella Schalon and her daughter, Suz, an MSU advertising alumna. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to nonprofit volunteerism and service after graduation.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Juniors and Seniors
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- Demonstrated commitment to nonprofit organization volunteerism
- Commitment to service after graduating
Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Natalie Chaplin and Ava Tomasino!
The Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship is named in honor of Ms. Susan Brink Sherratt, a proud third-generation Spartan who struggled to find a major until a friend recommended advertising. She thrived in the major and followed with a career in advertising.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Advertising Major
- Participation in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
- Financial need will be considered
Stan Stein Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipient: Mia Cascioli!
The Stan Stein Scholarship was established by alumnus Mr. Stan Stein and his employer, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, to help support deserving students as they prepare for a career in the public relations industry. Stein says he believes his comprehensive education at MSU and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences prepared him for his successful career. He wants to encourage graduates to give back appropriately to MSU, and remain connected to our great university.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Sophomores and above
- PR Major or Minor
- Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
- Professional goals in public relations
- Financial need will be considered
Graduate Student Scholarships
Apply for Graduate Student Scholarships
To apply, graduate students should complete and submit the common application during the annual application period. Applicants are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are qualified, making for a simple and streamlined application process.
2026-2027 Scholarship Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Applications submitted before October 31 will be entered in a weekly drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. The sooner you apply, the more chances you have to win!
*2026-2027 scholarships/awards are to be used for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 tuition and fees at the university, and will appear on the recipient’s fee receipt.
2025-2026 Scholarship Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Visit https://msu.academicworks.com/ and click “Sign-In” on the top right to begin the application process.
Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship
Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards an Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Based on faculty nominations
Janet L. Loria Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipients: Moldir Moldagaliyeva, Zijie Mei, Yerkebulan Almanov, Zheran Liu, Taewoo Kang, and Subhalakshmi Bezbaruah!
Ms. Janet Loria served as a graduate secretary at MSU for many years, and was a friend and mentor to countless students. To honor her legacy, her family established an endowment to provide scholarships to students who have high academic achievement, have formulated career goals, and who volunteer to help others have a better life.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Financial need will be considered
CONSIDERATION CRITERIA:
- Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
For Doctoral Students:
- High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
- Outstanding teaching record
For Master’s Students:
- Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career
Outstanding Master's/Doctoral Student Award
Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards Outstanding Master’s Student Awards and Outstanding Ph.D. Student Awards.
MSU faculty can nominate students for the Outstanding Master's and Ph.D. Student Awards:
Outstanding Master's Student Award Nomination Form
Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award Nomination Form
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Based on faculty nominations
Bonnie B. Reece Graduate Scholarship
Congratulations to 2025 recipient: Paige Higley!
Dr. Bonnie B. Reece is a former chairperson of the Department of Advertising + Public Relations and long-time faculty member who is devoted to high-quality graduate education. She wished to make life easier for one or two students each year by establishing this scholarship.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Domestic student
- Demonstrated leadership
- Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
- Financial need will be considered
For Doctoral Students:
- High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
- Outstanding teaching record
For Master’s Students:
- Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career
Additional scholarships are offered through the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and fellowships are offered through the Graduate School.
Visit these links to learn more:
ComArtSci Scholarships
Mary Louise Gephart Donnell Fellowship
Scholarship recipients will be notified upon selection, and will be required to check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine any financial aid impacts and provide a donor thank-you letter to confirm acceptance. Recipients will also be invited to attend the annual AD+PR Virtual Awards and Scholarships Recognition Event, to be held in April 2026. Event details will be forthcoming.
Please email cas.adprscholarships@msu.edu with any questions or for assistance.
Scholarship eligibility is open to all individuals regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.