Three students and alumni pose for photo at scholarship ceremony

Scholarships, Awards and Recognition

$950,000 in Scholarships and Awards

The William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications awarded more than $950,000 in scholarships and awards this year to current and incoming students. In the last few years, 75 to 95 percent of current students who applied received at least one scholarship. Each April, students are recognized during an award ceremony.

Monica Nwachukwu

"I'm grateful to have received four scholarships last year. It has helped me to focus on my education and fund my future."

Monica Nwachukwu
Scholarship recipient of Strategic Communication Faculty Award, David H. Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Joan Marie Butler Scholarship and Dorothy H. Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Links

Student Scholarships

All students admitted to the school are encouraged to apply for the dozens of J-School scholarships and awards available each year. Some are based on financial need; some are not. Students who receive KU renewable scholarships should note that the School of Journalism will likely be funding those scholarships during their junior and senior years, but those students should still apply for journalism scholarships because additional funds may be available. Scholarship recipients are typically notified in March, and the funds will be awarded for the following academic year. 

First-year scholarships: The J-School is pleased to award one-time scholarships to select incoming journalism freshmen and transfer students who demonstrate high achievement and/or need. Students who have been admitted to the J-School for Fall 2025 are eligible to apply. The incoming scholarship application will open in October, with a deadline of Dec. 1, 2024. For more information, contact jmcrecruitment@ku.edu.

Scholarships by the Numbers

131
Scholarships and awards given in 2023-24
290
Students received a scholarship in 2023-24
$2,500
Average scholarship in 2023-24

'I'm so grateful'

Thanks to our generous donors, the J-School has more than 125 scholarship and awards that students receive each year. Many students receive multiple scholarships that help them focus on their students and get involved in the various student media opportunities here at KU.

University Scholarships

  • INCOMING FRESHMEN

    Incoming in-state freshmen can earn renewable scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. Out-of-state freshmen can earn amounts that bring their tuition to KU’s in-state levels. Freshmen apply for these scholarships through their application to KU. The deadline is Dec. 1. 

  • INCOMING TRANSFER STUDENTS

    Incoming in-state and out-of-state transfer students can earn renewable scholarships based on their cumulative college GPA. Transfer students apply for these scholarships through their application to KU. The scholarships deadline is May 1.