Departmental Scholarships

At Ball State, more than 80 percent of our students qualify for financial aid. The School of Journalism and Strategic Communication offers a wide variety of merit- and need-based scholarships to our students at all levels and in all areas.

There are two types of scholarship opportunities:

incoming freshmen scholarships
continuing student scholarships

Beyond departmental support, the university also offers scholarships and financial aid.

Incoming Freshmen
Continuing Students

Incoming Freshmen

Robert L. and Sherles K. Barnet Scholarship

The Robert L. and Sherles K. Barnet Scholarship is a renewable award given to an incoming freshman declaring an intention to major in journalism.

Award Amount

$500 scholarship can be renewed for three additional years, if funding is available.

Criteria

The recipient must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. He or she must maintain full-time status while receiving the scholarship. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Freshman Achievement Scholarship

The Freshman Achievement Scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable award from the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication and funded by alumni and general scholarship gifts.

Award Amount

One-time award of $750, if funding is available.

Criteria

All applicants will be considered. Recipients must declare intentions to major in journalism. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Holmes McFadden Journalism Scholarship

The Holmes-McFadden Journalism Scholarship is a renewable award, with preference given to an incoming student who plans to major in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication.

Award Amount

$1,000 scholarship can be renewed for three additional years, if funding is available.

Criteria

Preference will be given to an incoming student who plans to major in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Student must maintain a minimum GPA of at least a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Louis E. Ingelhart Scholarship

Granted by the Journalism Alumni Association, the Louis E. Ingelhart Scholarship recognizes outstanding high school journalistic achievement.

Award Amount

One-time award of $1,500, if funding is available.

Criteria

Awarded to an exceptional student journalist who demonstrates outstanding high school journalism service and has a strong commitment to professional journalism. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Bona Cress Press and Lawrence Press Journalism Scholarship

The Bona Cress Press and Lawrence Press Journalism Scholarship is a renewable award to an incoming freshman declaring an intention to major in journalism. Preference is given to non-Indiana residents and/or bilingual students.

Award Amount

This $2,500 scholarship may be renewed up to three years, if funds are available.

Criteria

The recipient must maintain a 2.6 GPA in order to stay eligible. Preference is given to non-Indiana residents and/or bilingual students. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Michael Smith Scholarship

The Michael Smith Scholarship is a renewable scholarship awarded to an incoming freshman journalism major with an academic index of 3.0 or higher, or transfer student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum SAT score of 1000 (old system) or 1500 (new system), or an ACT score of 21.

Award Amount

$1,000 scholarship may be renewed up to three additional years, if funds are available.

Criteria

Scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman journalism major with an academic index of 3.0 or higher, or transfer student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum SAT score of 1000 (old system) or 1500 (new system), or an ACT score of 21. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Theresa C. and Leonard S. Sowar Journalism Student Scholarship

The Theresa C. and Leonard S. Sowar Journalism Student Scholarship is a one-time award established by Mrs. Francis E. Stout in honor of her father and mother.

Award Amount

One-time award of $500, if funds are available.

Criteria

The award is for incoming freshmen to help with the cost of books and supplies. First preference is given to a Muncie resident, second preference to a non-traditional student and then to any entering journalism student. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Richard S. Simons Memorial Scholarship

The Richard S. Simons Memorial Scholarship recognizes meritorious student service, academic achievement, and aptitude.

Award Amount

$500 scholarship may be renewed up to three additional years, if funds are available.

Criteria

The scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman declaring intentions to major in journalism who demonstrates meritorious service, academic achievement and aptitude. Financial need may also be considered. If the recipient leaves the study of journalism, he or she will no longer be eligible for the award.

How to Apply

To apply, please use our online form and have a PDF copy of your transcript and any supporting materials ready for upload. We are no longer accepting paper applications.

Apply Now

Continuing Students

After your freshman year (and once you've declared a School of Journalism and Strategic Communication major), you can apply for a number of scholarships for current or returning students. Some may be targeted to your major or concentration, while others factor in GPA, student media and organization involvement, etc. Scholarship amounts vary each year, but generally award between $500-$3,000 per scholarship. Online application invitations will be distributed to all School of Journalism and Strategic Communication majors in January. School of Journalism and Strategic Communication majors who do not receive this invitation are encouraged to contact the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication office for a replacement application link. The application deadline is in early February.

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Foundation Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is given to a student who is majoring in the news concentration as an undergraduate or the journalism master’s degree program. Preference is given to a student who comes from the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette circulation area, which includes Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio.

Peggy Carnal Barnes Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

Recipient of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate student in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication who strives for excellence in studies, skills and sensitivity and who demonstrates a genuine concern and appreciation for all people. Preference will be given to students who have graduated from a Delaware County (Ind.) high school with high moral character and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

DRG John S. Robinson Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is given to an undergraduate student in journalism who has demonstrated active involvement in the school, student media and student organizations. Preference is given to students majoring in magazine or working with Ball Bearings online or print magazine and with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

TNB Journalism Scholarship

Criteria

Recipient of this one-year scholarship must be a sophomore, junior or senior pursuing a major in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Applicants must have contributed to the school through extracurricular activities such as student organizations, student jobs or student media. Minimum GPA is 2.9.

H. Earle & Ann Maier Correvont Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is for a School of Journalism and Strategic Communication undergraduate major who has outstanding scholastic achievement. Financial need is a determining factor but not necessarily a governing factor. This scholarship is derived from the income of a gift honoring a former Orient editor, Ann Correvont, and her husband.

DeMotte Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship honors Sharley B. DeMotte, who founded journalism instruction at Ball State. Recipient should be an undergraduate School of Journalism and Strategic Communication major, have at least sophomore standing when the scholarship is used, and have a demonstrated financial need.

David L. Knott News Editors Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is for a student majoring in journalism who works for the Daily News. David Knott is a former Daily News adviser and continues to support current students and alumni of the school.

The Star Press Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is for a student majoring in journalism. The student must have at least sophomore status by August 20 of the scholarship year and a GPA of 3.0/4.0. Preference will be given to students who graduated from a high school in The Star Press circulation area and who have been active in student media or have professional media experience.

Holmes McFadden Memorial Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship will be given to a current undergraduate student with a School of Journalism and Strategic Communication major who meets university criteria as a non-traditional student. The student must be at least 23 years of age by August 20, 2012. The scholarship is derived from the interest from the Holmes-McFadden Memorial gift to the school.

Holmes McFadden Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is for a School of Journalism and Strategic Communication undergraduate major. The scholarship is derived from the interest from the Holmes-McFadden Memorial gift to the school.

Holmes McFadden Leadership Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is for a School of Journalism and Strategic Communication undergraduate major who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in School of Journalism and Strategic Communication student publications and organizations, and/or other campus or non-profit organizations, especially in positions related to the student’s major.

Don Yaeger Daily News Scholarship

Criteria

Recipient of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate journalism major who has worked for the Daily News for a minimum of one year and who continues working for the Daily News during the scholarship year.

Susan Keckler Mallinson Scholarship

Criteria

Recipients of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate major in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Applicants must be Indiana residents.

Shirley J. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship

Criteria

Recipients of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate majoring in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. Preference given to a graduate of Jay County (Ind.) High School.

Lowell F. Crouse Scholarship

Criteria

This scholarship is awarded to a student who will be a senior during the year the scholarship funds are distributed. Students should be active in student publications and the award is based solely on academic performance. No application required.

Sam Smith News Editorial Scholarship

Criteria

Recipient of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate news major who has completed the pre-journalism program and has a serious commitment to newspaper journalism.

Vernon C. & Mary H. Schranz Public Relations Scholarship

Criteria

Recipient of this one-year scholarship must be an undergraduate public relations major and show outstanding potential in the field. Scholarship recipient will be recognized at the annual Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lectureship in Public Relations.

F.O. Wellnitz Memorial Advertising Scholarship

Criteria

To be used in the sophomore, junior or senior year by students majoring in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication and in the sequence/major that corresponds to the one-year scholarship applied for.

Journalism Graphics Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship is given to an undergraduate student in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication who has demonstrated excellence in reporting for a campus publication and/or an off-campus media assignment(s). The recipient is expected to present clips which support the application.

Iva Lee Lamberson Scholarship

Criteria

Awarded to provide financial assistance to a full-time Ball State University undergraduate student who is a Daily News staff member. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Paul Allen Bennett Graduate Student Scholarship

Criteria

Recipients of this one-year scholarship must be current graduate students in the school’s strategic communication: public relations program.

Graduate Student Scholarship

Criteria

This one-year scholarship will be given to a current graduate student who will have completed at least six credit hours at the graduate level in journalism or public relations at Ball State when the scholarship is used.

Campbell Award for Creative Excellence

Criteria

To provide a scholarship to an undergraduate student majoring in Advertising. Recipient should possess a passion for creativity and thinking outside the box in and out of the classroom.

School of Journalism and Strategic Communication

Art and Journalism Building (AJ), Room 300 Muncie, IN 47306

Academic Year: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. M-F
Summer: 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. M-F

765-285-8200

765-285-7997