Editorial journalism
Editorial writing provides informed opinion, hoping to persuade a reader to adopt a particular point of view. In print media, an editorial defines a publication's stand on one or more issues. Journalism students and working professionals considering a return to school who are in need of financial aid can apply for a variety of scholarships. Writer's societies and foundations offer monetary assistance for students who show excellent writing and editorial abilities. There are also writing scholarships available for female and minority students.
Hearst Foundation
Students can compete for the editorial writing award.
The William Randolph Hearst foundation scholarship program enables applicants to compete in a writing contest. The foundation offers more than $550,000 in prizes yearly in all areas of journalism.
Six competitions are dedicated to editorial writing. The competition is open to 110 Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication-accredited colleges, each of which can submit the entries of two students for the prize. Writing samples must be original work and have been published in a campus or professional publication. According to The Hearst Foundation website, entries should be the length of professional editorials (about 750 words), well-researched and express a clear and cogent point of view. Students can apply through their school's journalism department.
Vivian Castleberry Awards Competition
Scholarships for female journalists
Vivian Castleberry was a popular civic leader in Dallas and features editor of the Dallas Times-Herald. The Association of Women Journalists offers the Vivian Castleberry Awards Competition to encourage the pursuit of excellence in journalism by women.This award competition is open to female students as well as working women journalists. Editorials or columns entered must be original and published in general-interest newspapers or magazines. There are separate categories for publications with fewer and more than 100,000 readers.
The Newhouse Foundation
Scholarships for African-American journalists
The National Association of Black Journalists offers scholarship grants of up to $5,000 to African-American college students majoring in journalism. According to the NABJ website, scholarship winners are honored in the annual convention program book. The Newhouse Foundation Scholarship is offered through the NABJ to African-American students majoring in print journalism. Membership in the association, a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and active involvement in the campus newspaper are required to qualify. Grants are renewable for three years and are an active outreach of the association to promote excellence by African-Americans in journalism.
The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship
The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship from the Society of Professional Journalists offers an opportunity for working columnists and editorial writers to take a sabbatical for study, travel or research. The fellowship pays $75,000 to a qualified recipient with the expectation that new published work will result. The winner is mentored by the previous year's recipient, and is picked at the annual National Conference of Editorial Writers convention.
