Scholarships

The School of Journalism and Strategic Media has the most outstanding scholarship support of all departments and programs in Fulbright College. More than $100,000 a year is awarded to Journalism and/or Advertising and Public Relations majors who meet the requirements of the various departmental scholarships. Students must be Journalism or Advertising and Public Relations majors to apply for these scholarships. 

APPLICATIONS  ARE OPEN for SJSM SCHOLARSHIPS 2026-27 

2026 SJSM Scholarship Awards Ceremony

 

About Journalism Scholarships

Scholarships are supported from several sources. Some come from endowed accounts established decades ago by admirers of Dr. Walter J. Lemke, for whom the school is formerly named. Others have been established more recently by professional groups and through funds that honor an individual by encouraging special studies in journalism. Professional groups that provide scholarship support include the following:

  • Arkansas Broadcasters Association
  • Society of Professional Journalists
  • Northwest Arkansas Advertising Federation
  • Memphis Gridiron

Other scholarships include:

  • Elizabeth Barnes Messner '38 Scholarship
  • John B. 'Tony' Dyke Scholarship in Sports Journalism

SJSM First-Year Student Scholarship Application

This scholarship is available only to first-year students.   APPLY NOW

Arkansas Soul Journalism Award Application

The Arkansas Soul Journalism Award is a one-time, $800 scholarship, available to two undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Arkansas. This award recognizes exceptional storytelling and writing through a3-page, double-spaced with Times New Roman font, paper titled “COVID Community Personal Impact.” The paper should reflect your personal experiences and the ways COVID-19 affected you and your community.
Eligibility Highlights:  Full-time undergraduate Journalism majors or minors (2025–2026); Minimum 3.0 Overall GPA; Graduation date no later than May 2029

APPLY: DEADLINE FRIDAY MARCH 20th, 2026

External Scholarships

The School of Journalism and Strategic Media encourages students to seek scholarships and funding opportunities beyond those offered by the School and the University of Arkansas. 

Students may apply for departmental funds to pay for expenses related to applying for external scholarships or participating in on-site internship opportunities, such as reporting on national conferences held by the organizations. Contact us at jourschl@uark.edu to find out about such funding.