Scholarships

The College of Communication Arts and Sciences administers scholarship funds established through the generosity of alumni and friends. The college recognizes several students each year who have demonstrated superior work in the classroom or on the job through MSU scholarships. In addition, ComArtSci students are encouraged to apply for scholarships administered by their major departments and other organizations. Eligibility and deadlines vary.

ComArtSci Education Abroad and DC Study Away Scholarship

To submit an application for a ComArtSci Education Abroad Scholarship, students can visit this form to submit their application for a ComArtSci Education Abroad Scholarship. The application deadline for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 programs is March 18, 2024 and the application deadline for Spring 2025 programs is October 21, 2024.

This scholarship is for students with majors in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences who will be participating in a ComArtSci-sponsored education abroad program or the Washington D.C. study away program in an upcoming semester. The number and amount of scholarships are variable based on funds available.

To be eligible for consideration a student must:

  • Have a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA. Be a declared major in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences.
  • Be officially enrolled in a *ComArtSci-sponsored* education abroad program or the Washington D.C. study away program by the scholarship application deadline.
  • Submit an essay addressing how their chosen education abroad/study away program will enhance their academic experience in the major. The essay must be typed and be a maximum of 500 words long. Students may include any information on financial need that they wish to share. The essay must be submitted at the time of application submission.

College Level Scholarships

The application for ComArtSci scholarships is online for the 2023/24 academic year! Beginning December 22, 2022, students can visit the scholarships website to submit their applications. The deadline for application submission is January 22, 2023. When submitting an application, students must complete a general application as well as a ComArtSci specific application. Once both portions are done, applicants will be considered for all of the college-level scholarships that they are eligible for, except for the following awards which must be applied to individually using the same website:

 

Brian P. O'Connor ComArtSci Endowed Scholarship Fund

Brian O'Connor is the VP of Communications and Public Relations for Princess Cruises after earning his BA in Telecommunications from the College in 1991. He has continued his involvement with ComArtSci since his time as a student. Recipients for this award are chosen based on their pursuit of a career in communications or public relations as well as their engagement with the MSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared undergraduate major in Communication or Communication Leadership & Strategy

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • Preference is given to students who are Public Relations minors and are actively involved in PRSSA

 

William R. Jenkins Scholarship

William Jenkins created this endowment in memory of his father, Thurston Jenkins, who had the ambition, courage, and vision to step out into the larger world and be successful. Recipients are Michigan residents chosen based on their demonstrated ability to set and achieve goals and an ambition beyond their regional roots. This award can be renewable for up to 8 semesters if recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared undergraduate major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, preference to incoming freshman

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident

  • have attended a Michigan high school

  • preference is given to students who have demonstrated the ambition, courage, and vision needed to grow beyond their regional roots.

 

Roberta Jeffers Dailey Endowed Scholarship

Roberta Jeffers Dailey, known as “Jeff” since her college days, established this scholarship to support students pursuing a career in the communication arts. While at MSU, Jeff was active in MSU’s television and radio stations and even hosted her own TV program. Recipients are chosen based on their active involvement in co-curricular activities in broadcast, media, film, and/or theater.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared major in the School of Journalism or Department of Media and Information

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • be an active participant in extra-curricular college and university activities in broadcast media, film, theater, etc.

 

Epker Family Sales Scholarship

This award was created by Bradley Epker, who received his Advertising degree from MSU in 1986 and quickly moved into a Sales role at the DuPont Company following graduation. Over the course of his career, he has had many successful leadership positions throughout the industry. This scholarship is intended to give back to MSU and support students who are pursuing a Sales Leadership Minor.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared undergraduate major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • be admitted to the Sales Leadership minor

  • Preference will be given to a student who has lost their parent due to illness or accident

 

Dusty Rhodes Scholarship

Dusty Rhodes was born and raised in Flint and was a 1950 graduate of the College. After a successful career in radio broadcasting he went on to work in newspaper publishing and international TV news. He loved his years as Spartan Stadium announcer. This scholarship is given to a graduate of a Michigan high school who wishes to pursue a career in radio, newspaper or TV news. To be eligible, applicants must:

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • have attended a Michigan high school, preference given to students from Flint or Genesee County, MI

  • preference for students who wish to pursue career in radio, newspaper or TV news

  • preference for students with financial need

 

Terry Braverman Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Scholarship

Terry Braverman enjoyed a distinguished professional career of 50-plus years in sports broadcasting for both public and commercial radio and television stations—thirty-eight of these years being at MSU. Recipients for this award are chosen based on their efforts in working towards a career as on-air talent.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, preference is given to students in the School of Journalism or Department of Media and Information

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • be a resident of Michigan

  • demonstrate a focus on becoming an on-air sports broadcaster with excellent oral communication skills.

 

Sheldon and Neva Ackerman Moyer Endowed Scholarship

Sheldon Moyer played a key role in taking The State News from a 3 to a 5 day-a-week publication. When he left to serve in World War II, Neva Ackerman took over as managing editor. Both went on to have remarkable careers and this scholarship recognizes the importance of their MSU education. Recipients are chosen based on their work with the State News. To be eligible, applicants must:

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • have a declared undergraduate major in Journalism, Advertising Management, Advertising Creative, or Public Relations

  • Be junior or senior standing during the 2023/24 academic year (56+ completed cr.)

  • have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • Preference is given to those students who have worked for The State News

 

In order to apply to any of the college-level ComArtSci scholarship opportunities, students must:

  • Have a declared major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences

  • Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

  • Submit a resume and answer an essay question

 

Please note that applying to the college-level ComArtSci scholarships should not prevent students from also applying to any scholarship opportunities from their individual academic departments. Students with majors in the School of Journalism will use the same applications listed above (but also answer several additional JRN-specific questions) to apply for JRN scholarships. 

 

Department Level Scholarships

Advertising + Public Relations Scholarships

Communication Scholarships

Communicative Sciences and Disorders Scholarships

Media and Information Scholarships

School of Journalism Scholarships

 

Are you considering creating or giving toward a scholarship?

Contact the ComArtSci Advancement team casalum@msu.edu