The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship is a prestigious award established by the National Press Club and the NPC Journalism Institute. This scholarship was created in 2021 to honor Wes Vernon, a long-standing member of the National Press Club and a respected figure in the field of broadcast journalism.
The primary objective of this scholarship is to support diversity within the field of broadcast journalism. It aims to provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in this field.
The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship offers an annual award of $5,000. This significant financial aid can be renewed for up to three years, providing a total of $20,000 towards educational expenses. This substantial support can significantly alleviate the financial burden associated with higher education, making it more accessible for aspiring broadcast journalists.
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must plan to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and be enrolled in, or in the process of applying for, admission to a broadcast journalism program at an accredited university or community college in the U.S. This inclusivity ensures that a diverse range of students, regardless of their stage in their career, can benefit from this opportunity.
Benefits:
The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship offers several benefits to its recipients:
- Financial Support: The scholarship provides an annual award of $5,000, which can be renewed for up to three years, providing a total of $20,000 towards educational expenses.
- Promotion of Diversity: The scholarship supports diversity within the field of broadcast journalism.
- Career Advancement: The scholarship can enhance the recipient’s resume, potentially leading to more opportunities in their future broadcast journalism career.
- Access to Resources: As part of the National Press Club, the scholarship provides recipients with access to a network of professional journalists and other industry professionals.
- Recognition: The scholarship recognizes the hard work and dedication of students who aspire to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.
Eligibility:
- plan to pursue a career in broadcast journalism
- be enrolled in, or in the process of applying for, admission to a broadcast journalism program at an accredited university or community college in the U.S.
The award is open to any student at any stage in their career pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. Preference is given to those students enrolled in community colleges, as outlined by the scholarship donor.
Students do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.
Application:
Apply by clicking the “Apply” button and filling up the form.
A complete application consists of:
- A short elevator pitch: Why are you interested in journalism, and how have you pursued it so far? (no more than 150 words)
- Your most recent academic transcript (PDF)
- A 500-word essay on your interest in and commitment to working within broadcast journalism (PDF)
- Resume (PDF)
- A description of your financial need
- Three to five work samples demonstrating your ability or a career interest in broadcast journalism*
- Three letters of recommendation from teachers or professors, employers, leaders of the various groups you are involved with, or other people who are most familiar with your work and work ethic
