Scholarships

Undergraduate communication students can apply or be nominated for a number of scholarships and awards.

 

Caterpillar Scholarships (2 available)
Application Deadline: October 14, 2011  

This award recognizes two outstanding students majoring either in Public Relations and Rhetorical Advocacy or in Corporate Communication.  Thanks to the generosity of Caterpillar, two different students will receive $1000 scholarships.  These are the only scholarships that will be awarded in the fall semester. The scholarship application, filled in and printed out, should be turned in to the COM office (BRNG 2114) by 5 p.m. on Oct. 14.  For questions, students should contact Josh Boyd at boyd@purdue.edu.                      

Outstanding Senior

Presented at the annual department banquet in the spring.

Bruce Kendall Award for Excellence in Communication

This is a $100 award given to one undergraduate student who has made the most significant contribution to communication among his or her fellow students, faculty, and administration. Award is presented at the annual school banquet in the spring.

Communication Service Award
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

This $500 scholarship is awarded annually in the spring to a Communication undergraduate major who demonstrates a depth and continuity of service to a project, organization or need during their time at Purdue. (Service provided as part of a class, independent study, internship or job will be given less weight.) The award recognizes a student who has provided sustained service in response to a pressing need at Purdue, in a local community, or in the larger world as opposed to simply performing a laundry list of short-term service activities. Applicants must submit a resume, including GPA; a letter of recommendation from a leader of the organization or project where the student served or a letter from a recipient of the services the student provided; and a one page history outlining the student's volunteerism with organization/project/need. Deadline is Feb. 15. To apply, applications are available online to fill in and print out. Then submit the application form with supporting materials to the main office. For questions, students should contact Josh Boyd at boyd@purdue.edu.


Distinguished New Communication Major Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

This $500 scholarship is awarded annually in the spring to a new Communication major. The student must have received A's in all of his or her pre-communication courses with no retakes. Eligible students must have completed their pre-communication courses by December of the previous calendar year. This award is only available to new Communication majors. Applications are available online. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay on why they chose to major in communication, and an official transcript. The application (filled in and printed out), along with the one-page essay, should be turned in to the main office. Deadline is Feb. 15. For questions, students should contact Josh Boyd at boyd@purdue.edu.


Distinguished Seniors

Presented at the annual school banquet in the spring.

Greg Zawisza Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

Presented at the annual school banquet to an outstanding student in mass communication. This $3500 scholarship is awarded in the spring to a mass communication major. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, junior status as of fall 2012, and at least 2 semesters remaining at Purdue. Applications are available online. Part of the application form asks the applicant to write one paragraph explaining his or her interest in mass communication. The application should be turned in to the main office. Deadline is Feb. 15. For questions, students should contact Josh Boyd at boyd@purdue.edu.

McDowell and Gillian Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

This scholarship provides $2000 each for 5 different students participating in a May, summer, or fall off-campus study experience.  This can either be study abroad or a program such as the one in Washington, D. C. Requirements: Applicants must have been admitted to the communication major, must have applied for study abroad (or a domestic equivalent), and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship will only be released upon confirmation that the student has actually been accepted into and will definitely participate in an off-campus study program. Procedures: Applicants need to fill out the application form, attach a copy of a Purdue transcript, and write a one-page essay explaining their interest in their specific study program and their need/use for the scholarship. Completed applications (form + transcript + 1-page essay) must be turned in at the main COM office, BRNG 2114, to Josh Boyd (boyd@purdue.edu).


Gary and Carolyn Roberts '65, '67 Planck Study Abroad Scholarship in Communication
Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

This Scholarship provides $1000 each for two students participating in a May, summer, or fall study abroad program (it must be study abroad; domestic equivalents are not acceptable). Requirements: Applicants must have been admitted to the communication major, must have applied for study abroad, must be an Indiana resident, must have significant campus leadership experience, and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship will only be released upon confirmation that the student has actually been accepted into and will definitely participate in study abroad. Procedures: Applicants need to fill out the application form, attach a copy of a Purdue transcript, and write a one-page essay describing their campus leadership experience. Completed applications (form + transcript + 1-page essay) must be turned in at the main COM office, BRNG 2114, to Josh Boyd (boyd@purdue.edu).

William Wigglesworth Communication Scholarships
Application Deadline:  February 15, 2012

This scholarship (brand new this year!) provides $1500 each for two students majoring in either general communication or human relations.  To apply, students must have a 3.0 overall GPA and must have completed the pre-communication requirements and been admitted to either the general communication or human relations majors.  Procedures: Applicants need to fill out the application form and attach a copy of a Purdue transcript.  Part of the application involves writing a paragraph that answers the question, “What is the most important thing you’ve learned in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, and why is it so important?”  Completed applications (form + transcript) must be turned in at the main COM office, BRNG 2114, to Josh Boyd (boyd@purdue.edu).

College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts also offers CLA-wide opportunities that we encourage you to explore. If you should have questions after visiting their website, please contact Barbara Dixon, CLA Scholarship Director, at bdixon@purdue.edu or (765) 494-3731.

Purdue University

Purdue University also offers many scholarship and award opportunities.

Purdue Division of Financial Aid

Purdue's Division of Financial Aid is always a good resource for scholarships and grants.

Scholarships on the Web

You will find many scholarship opportunities via the Internet. Simply do a search for communication scholarships, journalism scholarships, etc.

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact claweb@purdue.edu.