The Department is proud to offer a wide range of awards and scholarship opportunities to all Communication Studies students.
For more information regarding each award or scholarship please read the information below and contact the Senior Academic Advisor: 111 Becker Communication Studies Building.
Kathleen Dore Travel Awards
Through the generosity of department donors, Kathleen Dore and Keith Jepson, we are pleased to be able to offer travel funding for our students. These travel awards are for undergraduate students in the Department of Communication Studies who are attending academic and professional conferences or meetings.
The funds may be used to pay for registration fees, travel, and lodging costs. Selected students should have a strong academic record. To apply, submit an application online at any time.
There is no annual deadline to apply, but students must apply BEFORE their travel occurs.
Annual Awards
Applications are due by April 5, 2024
The following Undergraduate Awards and Scholarships are distributed annually and require an application. All students who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply online.
Please note that a separate application is required for each award. After submitting an application, you will be re-directed and logged out. If you wish to submit another application, you will need to come back to the Communication Studies Awards page (this page) and click on the application link again.
C. Jay Starr Award ($1500 - $3000)
This award is given each year to a Communication Studies junior undergraduate who will be working closely with a faculty member on a special academic project which shows promise of publication in the field of Communication Studies.
Jerome and Marian Feniger Award ($1000 - $2000)
This award is given each year to an undergraduate, upper-class major who shows outstanding promise in broadcasting.
Cristen M. Loza de Bighley Award ($750 - $1500)
This award is given each year to an undergraduate who has made outstanding contributions to the Department’s mission through her or his work. Preference will be given to students who have taken leadership roles in the Communication Studies Student Association, the social media or PR internship program, departmental recruitment activities, or other roles affiliated with advancing the department or assisting its students.
Sam Becker/Herb Meinert Scholarship ($1000 - $2000)
This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding junior or senior working toward a BA in Communication Studies.
A. Craig Baird Award ($250 - $500)
This award is given to a junior or senior major who is also participating in the Forensics Program.
Joseph M. Sitrick Media Scholarship ($750 - $1500)
This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding major with career interests in video/audio production and/or media management.
Joseph M. Sitrick Media Internship Award ($750 - $1500)
This award is given to a student who has secured a summer internship in the areas of video/audio production and/or media management. Preference is given to internships in a major media market.
Patrick and Kimberly Hatting Scholarship ($1000 total split between two semesters)
Awarded to a Communication Studies major who demonstrates financial need. While preference for this award is given to students with financial need from east central Iowa, all students with financial need are strongly encouraged to apply. This award will be applied to the winner's U-bill in the 2023-2024 academic year. Meaning, $500 would be applied to the fall 2023 U-bill and $500 would be applied to the spring 2024 U-bill. Applicants for this award must be enrolled in 2023-24 to be eligible. Those graduating in spring 2023 or summer 2023 are not eligible for this award.
Richard A. & Donna J. McKay Award ($500 - $1000)
This award is given to top students graduating from the Communication Studies program. Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to community engagement/service/outreach.
Apply for Undergraduate Awards
Applications are due on April 5, 2024.
Please note that a separate application is required for each award. After submitting an application, you will be re-directed and logged out. If you wish to submit another application, you will need to come back to the Communication Studies Awards page (this page) and click on the application link again.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: Funds for the Annual Awards listed above will first be applied to any outstanding balance on your U-Bill. If you are receiving financial aid from the University of Iowa’s Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), this award could impact the aid that you have already received. If your other aid has to be reduced, you will be notified by the OSFA. Any remaining funds from your award will either be directly deposited to your bank account (if you have direct deposit set up with the University), or sent to you in the form of a check via first class mail from the Cashier’s Office, 5 Calvin Hall, 319.335.0071.
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholarships
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences also awards scholarships to students continuing coursework in a major within the College. Some scholarships are open to all liberal arts and sciences students and others are for select liberal arts and sciences majors.