PRSA Foundation

Eligibility:

• Be pursuing an undergraduate education in public relations.
• Completed a professional internship between September 2020 and August 2022.
• Be a PRSSA member in good standing.

Application:

• A completed application form.
• A letter of recommendation from your internship supervisor.
• A letter of recommendation from your PRSSA Faculty Adviser.
• A typed 1,000 to 1,200 word essay in English, describing the internship experience and addressing each of the following subjects in the order stated:
  • 1. Organization sponsoring internship.
  • 2. Internship supervisor.
  • 3. Period of internship.
  • 4. Internship responsibilities.
  • 5. Results achieved.
  • 6. What you learned.
  • 7. Value of internship to studies and future career.

  
  

The PRSA Foundation will make payment directly to the winner’s university for use on their behalf; payment can only be used to directly fund the winner’s educational pursuits. 

The PRSA Foundation awards Axia's scholarship to students who:

1. Demonstrate financial need.

2. Demonstrate experience and passion for public relations. 

3. Demonstrate a dedication to professional ethics and excellence.

PR Scholarship Requirements:

1. Candidates must be juniors or seniors in good academic standing at accredited colleges or universities.

2. Candidates must have financial need. 

3. Candidates must have some public relations experience through volunteering, internships, or employment.

4. Candidates must be studying public relations or an equivalent major.

5. Candidates should be seeking a public relations career. 

6. Candidates pursuing journalism, hospitality, event management, advertising, design, human resources, politics, government affairs and lobbying careers should not apply for this scholarship.

7. Applicants should carefully review their submissions for typos, spelling and grammar.

Application Components:

1. Cover Letter/Intro Video

Within 600 words and/or within a two-minute video in English, please share why you are the most deserving scholarship candidate. Include:

• Statement of financial need (required). 
• Based on your FAFSA application, what is your cost of attendance (COA) minus your expected family contribution (EFC) and current estimated financial assistance (EFA)? Are you eligible for a Pell Grant?
• How many months of PR internships, volunteer and employment experience you’ve had.
• Your ideal career path narrative, including what you would like to do after graduation.

2. Provide a link to your LinkedIn profile

• Highlight professional, scholastic and volunteer PR accomplishments. 
• You may include your overall GPA and your GPA for courses within your major (Optional).

3. Work Samples

• Provide up to three public relations work samples that demonstrate your best PR work.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

You must be a PRSSA member in your junior or senior year of college, preparing for a career in public relations to apply for this award.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

• Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Practical experience, e.g. internships, other work/service, student firm work
• Commitment to public relations, particularly as expressed in the candidate's statement
• Application

To apply for this award, submit the following materials:

• The completed online application form.
• A letter of recommendation from your Faculty or Professional Adviser.
• A statement of 300 words or fewer in English that outlines your commitment to public relations and its ethical practice.
• Optional: Additional letters of recommendation from previous employers or professors.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

This scholarship was created to encourage graduate public relations students to pursue careers in corporate public relations, with the goal of making the public relations function more essential to the successful achievement of corporate goals consistent with the public interest, the precepts of sound business and the needs of key stakeholders.

This scholarship is made possible by the PRSA Foundation; the Arthur W. Page Society; the Institute for Public Relations; and individual donors.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be enrolled or continuing in a graduate studies degree program in public relations, journalism or related fields, effective fall 2023. 
• Candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.
• Candidates do not have to be a PRSSA member to apply. The award may be used at any U.S. college or university offering a graduate program in public relations or related field. Entries will be judged by a committee of three senior public relations professionals, each of whom will represent one of the three founding organizations for this award.

Application:

• A completed online application form 
• One-page résumé
• An essay in English of up to 1,000 words that cogently summarizes the applicant's views on why the corporate public relations function must be deeply engaged in C-Suite discussions and decisions affecting communication mandates that address corporate reputation, internal change management, brand and issue management, ethics, social responsibility and related areas. The essay requires minimal research in support of the applicant’s views, focusing primarily on the applicant’s strategic thinking and philosophical perspective. Chester Burger's professional career was devoted to assisting CEOs and Boards of Directors in understanding and applying professional public relations theory and practice to manage large-scale corporate issues in the public interest – issues that went far beyond publicity, media relations and marketing communications. The essay should also include brief comments on other academic work you feel will contribute strongly to your success in public relations, as well as list any honors or awards that you have received and leadership experience you have gained on or off campus.
• Letter of recommendation of no more than two pages from a faculty member or PRSSA Faculty or Professional Adviser
• One additional letter of recommendation of no more than two pages from an internship employer, educator or other individual who knows the applicant and can address his or her potential as a public relations counselor to management

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Eligibility:

• Be pursuing a higher education in the public relations field.
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be a PRSSA member.

Application:

• A completed online application form.
• A letter of recommendation from internship supervisor/employer or faculty adviser.
• A 1,000-word essay in English describing a challenge you have faced, either personally or professionally, and how you have overcame it.
• A current academic transcript.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Established in 2023, the Geoffrey M. Curtis Scholarship awards one rising junior or senior undergraduate student who is pursuing a career in public relations, journalism, or communications and is BIPOC identified with a $10,000 scholarship.


Eligibility:

• A registered full-time undergraduate student at a four-year accredited college or university.
• A rising junior or senior.
• BIPOC identified.
• Pursuing a major in public relations, journalism, or communications (strategic, science, digital/social)
• A GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Application:

• The completed online application form.
• A resume.
• A letter of support from a professor or advisor.

Eligibility:

• You must be enrolled in a journalism program, public relations studies or courses preparing for a career in public relations, and entering your senior year of undergraduate studies in fall after the application deadline to apply for this scholarship. 

Judges will be looking for the following qualities:

• Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies.
• Demonstrated leadership.
• Practical experience in internships, other work/service.
• Commitment to public relations, particularly as expressed in the candidate’s statements in the application form.
• Writing skills demonstrated throughout the application form.

Application:

• The completed online application form.
• A letter of recommendation, no more than two pages, from either a faculty member or PRSSA Adviser.
• No more than two additional letters of recommendation from internship employers, educators or others.
• A one page résumé.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Mandatory Criteria:

• Must attend a college or university in the geographical area served by the Buffalo/Niagara Chapter of PRSA.
• Declared major in the field of communications.
• Complete the online application form, including:

1. Submit a well-written essay demonstrating academic motivation and financial need. Please be specific as to why you are requesting these funds, including any hardships you’ve had to overcome.
2. Submit a letter of recommendation, detailing the candidate’s academic drive and/or interest in community service and/or extracurricular activities.

Additional Considerations:

• Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. Past applicants, including winners, are welcome to re-apply as long as they continue to meet the criteria.

To apply for this award, submit the following materials:

• Completed online application form.
• Letter of recommendation.
• Essay in English demonstrating academic motivation and financial needs. 

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange a phone or Zoom interview.

This scholarship is made possible by the PRSA Foundation with founding donors Prudential Financial and Weber-Shandwick.

Eligibility:

• Be enrolled in a journalism program, public relations studies or courses preparing for a career in public relations.
• Be entering your junior year of undergraduate studies this fall.
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Demonstrate the commitment to service and social responsibility that Ofield Dukes personified
• Should be of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry.

Selection Criteria:

• Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies
• Specific examples of commitment to service and social responsibility (demonstrated by mentoring others or participating in community service activities) OR specific examples of how you have worked to make the world a more equitable place.
• Writing skills as demonstrated throughout the application.
• Letters of recommendation from faculty and non-faculty.
• Awards or honors you have received for academic or extracurricular achievements (can include high school and community awards).

Required Application Materials:

• A completed online scholarship application form.
• A recommendation letter of no more than two pages from a faculty member or adviser.
• At least one and not more than four additional letters of recommendation from internship employers, educators or others who have been directly involved in your relevant activities. Letters may be no more than two pages.
• A one to two page résumé.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Eligibility:

• Be enrolled in a journalism program, public relations studies or courses preparing for a career in public relations.
• Be entering your senior year of undergraduate studies this fall.
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Should be of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry.

Judging Criteria:

• Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies.
• Demonstrated leadership on or off campus.
• Practical experience, e.g. internships, other work/service.
• Commitment to public relations, particularly as expressed in the candidate’s statement.
• Writing skills as demonstrated throughout the application.
• Letters of recommendation.

Application:

• Completed online application form.
• A brief letter of recommendation from a PRSA member or an individual associated with the public relations profession (corporate, agency, government, non-profit) or higher education 
• No more than two additional letters of recommendation from internship employers, educators or others.
• A one page résumé.
• A current academic transcript of all college/university courses completed. A typed, double-spaced two-page essay in English, on one of the following topics:

1. Why does diversity matter to the public relations industry? What is the significance of having a diverse workforce in the public relations industry?
2. How is diversity enacted in everyday public relations practice?
3. What recent multicultural communication efforts have helped to bridge the gap between the community and the company/institution?

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Skype interview.

This scholarship is funded by the PRSA National Multicultural Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Eligibility:

Through the selection process, applicants will be evaluated and selected based on the following criteria. To be considered you must submit a complete application, together with all supporting documentation, by the deadline and:

1. Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university in the State of Georgia for the term for which the scholarship is awarded.

2. Pursue a course of study in the public relations or communications-related disciplines, with a demonstrated or planned career interest in the public relations and communications profession. Preference will be given to those studying a major or minor in public relations, or if your institution does not offer a public relations degree or program, then in a communications degree program (e.g., journalism or mass communications).

3. Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

4. Have achieved a minimum overall 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and not be on any form of academic probation, suspension, or reprimand.

5. Self-identify as a member of a historically disadvantaged or demographically underrepresented minority group.

Judging Criteria:

• Commitment to public relations, particularly as expressed in the candidate’s statement and/or essay/video submission.
• Writing skills as demonstrated throughout the application.
• Letter(s) of recommendation.

Application:

• A current academic transcript.
• A brief letter of recommendation from a PRSA member or an individual associated with the public relations profession (corporate, agency, government, non-profit) or higher education. Additional letters of recommendation can be provided.  Letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required.
• A typed, double-spaced 500 word essay or 2-minute video on the following topic: What do you believe are the most effective ways communicators can reach your generation, build brand loyalty and trust? Why might this be important for organizations to consider?

Award: $1,000 for three students

Established in 2020, the PRSA Silicon Valley Diversity and Multicultural Scholarship annually assists and recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the practice of public relations.

Eligibility:

• Reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Be a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited college or university.
• Membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is preferred, but not required.
• A major or minor in public relations or communications is preferred. A student who attends a school that does not offer a public relations degree or program must be enrolled in a communications degree program (e.g., journalism or mass communications).
• You should self-identify as a member of a historically disadvantaged or demographically underrepresented minority group. [Note: Scholarship selection shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law. Conversely, an applicant will not be selected solely based on one or more of the aforementioned protected categories.]

Application:

• A completed online application form.
• A current academic transcript of all college or university courses completed.
• One 500-word essay or a video of you speaking (no more than two minutes in length) in English on one of the following topics:

1. Why does diversity matter to the public relations industry? What is the significance of having a diverse workforce in the public relations industry?
2. How is diversity enacted in everyday public relations practice?
3. What recent multicultural communication efforts have helped to bridge the gap between the community and the company/institution?

• Optional but recommended: 1-2 brief letters of recommendation from a higher education professional, internship supervisors, PRSA member, or an individual associated with the public relations profession (corporate, agency, government, non-profit).

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be students who GRADUATED high school in the southeast Texas Region or students attending a southeast Texas-area college/university. 
• While not required, preference is given to students attending institutions that have official Public Relations Student Society of America Chapters sponsored by PRSA Houston. These institutions include the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, and Lamar University. Students attending other institutions are still encouraged to apply for the scholarship. 
• Recipient must have a declared major in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing and have a desire to practice the public relations profession.
• Preferred minimum grade point average of 3.25 in the major and 3.00 overall.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

• Writing Sample
• Participation in professional organizations participation and leadership (preference given to PRSSA participation)
• GPA
• Community involvement, collegiate activities, letters of recommendation
• Work experience 
• Financial need
• Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview. The final decision will be based on the combined application (50%) and interview scores (50%).

To apply for this award, please submit the following materials:

• The completed application form.
• Official transcript
• Letter of recommendation.
• Resume
• Writing assignment: Write a press release stating you are the winner of our scholarship this year. Include characteristics you have that made your application stand out above the other applicants, as well as any other information you feel would be appropriate for a press release. The quality of writing will weigh heavily on the decision of who will be the scholarship recipient. Be sure to use AP style writing. You will want to closely check spelling and grammar. The writing sample should be one page, typed in MS Word.
• Optional: Work Sample

Eligibility Requirements:

 

• Applicants must be students who GRADUATED high school in the southeast Texas Region or students attending a southeast Texas-area college/university. 
• While not required, preference is given to students attending institutions that have official Public Relations Student Society of America Chapters sponsored by PRSA Houston. These institutions include the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, and Lamar University. Students attending other institutions are still encouraged to apply for the scholarship. 
• Recipient must have a declared major in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing and have a desire to practice the public relations profession.
• Preferred minimum grade point average of 3.25 in the major and 3.00 overall.

 Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

 

• Writing Sample
• Participation in professional organizations participation and leadership (preference given to PRSSA participation)
• GPA
• Community involvement, collegiate activities, letters of recommendation
• Work experience 
• Financial need
• Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview. The final decision will be based on the combined application (50%) and interview scores (50%).

 

To apply for this award, please submit the following materials:
 

• The completed application form.
• Official transcript
• Letter of recommendation.
• Resume
• Writing assignment: Write a press release stating you are the winner of our scholarship this year. Include characteristics you have that made your application stand out above the other applicants, as well as any other information you feel would be appropriate for a press release. The quality of writing will weigh heavily on the decision of who will be the scholarship recipient. Be sure to use AP style writing. You will want to closely check spelling and grammar. The writing sample should be one page, typed in MS Word.
• Optional: Work Sample

Eligibility Requirements:

 

• Applicants must be students who GRADUATED high school in the southeast Texas Region or students attending a southeast Texas-area college/university. 
• While not required, preference is given to students attending institutions that have official Public Relations Student Society of America Chapters sponsored by PRSA Houston. These institutions include the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, and Lamar University. Students attending other institutions are still encouraged to apply for the scholarship. 
• Recipient must have a declared major in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing and have a desire to practice the public relations profession.
• Preferred minimum grade point average of 3.25 in the major and 3.00 overall.

 Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

 

• Writing Sample
• Participation in professional organizations participation and leadership (preference given to PRSSA participation)
• GPA
• Community involvement, collegiate activities, letters of recommendation
• Work experience 
• Financial need
• Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview. The final decision will be based on the combined application (50%) and interview scores (50%).

 

To apply for this award, please submit the following materials:
 

• The completed application form.
• Official transcript
• Letter of recommendation.
• Resume
• Writing assignment: Write a press release stating you are the winner of our scholarship this year. Include characteristics you have that made your application stand out above the other applicants, as well as any other information you feel would be appropriate for a press release. The quality of writing will weigh heavily on the decision of who will be the scholarship recipient. Be sure to use AP style writing. You will want to closely check spelling and grammar. The writing sample should be one page, typed in MS Word.
• Optional: Work Sample

The Nominee:

• Must be entering their junior or senior year in college in fall 2023
• Must be a major in public relations, journalism, or a related field
• Must be studying to prepare for a career in public relations
• Must possess a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be attending a four year accredited institution
• Must be in good standing as a member of a PRSSA Chapter

Application Materials:

• Completed online scholarship application form.
• One recommendation letter made by someone other than the applicant who can address the ways the applicant has helped others in their career and professional development, and how that individual has demonstrated their potential to be a strong mentor of others in the field of public relations, in a letter of no more than two pages.
• Essay of no more than two pages in English, written by the applicant, explaining the applicant’s commitment to public relations and a career in the industry.
• Current resume.
• Current academic transcript.

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

This unique $1,000 scholarship is designed to honor a student entering their senior year at a four-year accredited institution for their mentoring of others and their promotion of public relations as a career choice. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who is nominated by the faculty or professional advisor of a Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, or by one of their peers who can address the ways the nominee has helped others in their career and professional development, and how that individual has demonstrated their potential to be a strong mentor of others in their professional life. This award is not based on academic standing or courses taken.

Ron Culp is a consultant and and teaches in the graduate program in public relations and advertising at DePaul University. During his long corporate and agency career, Culp held senior public relations positions at Ketchum, Sard Verbinnen, Sears, Sara Lee, Pitney Bowes and Eli Lilly. Culp's blog – www.culpwrit.com– provides career advice for individuals pursuing careers in public relations. He made a grant to the PRSA Foundation to make this award available to a PRSSA student. In addition, he has endowed similar scholarships at DePaul University and his alma mater, Indiana State University.

The Nominee:

• Must be entering their senior year in college in Fall 2023
• Must be a major in public relations, journalism, or related fields
• Must be studying to prepare for a career in public relations
• Must be attending a four year accredited institution
• Must be in good standing as a member of a PRSSA Chapter

Nomination Process:

• Nomination letter made by someone other than the nominee who has first hand knowledge of the student’s mentoring capabilities and examples.
• Optional: Up to two additional letters of support for the nominee may be provided.
• A completed online scholarship application.
• A resume or LinkedIn profile link.

Judging Criteria:

• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership
• Commitment to public relations and the profession
• Letter(s) of nomination

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Eligibility:

• Be a journalism, communications or public relations major.
• Be in your junior or senior year of college.
• Have at least a 3.3 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Be a PRSSA member.

Application:

• A completed online application form.
• A résumé including academic honors, special projects, activities and work experience.
• A current academic transcript.
• An essay of 1,000 words or fewer in English stating your career goals.
• Two writing samples in English (in addition to the essay).
• Two letters of academic or professional recommendation. 

PRSA Foundation representatives may at some point request to arrange an in-person, phone or Zoom interview.

Award: $4,000

Overview

This scholarship was established in 1992 in memory of Horace and Susie Revels Cayton. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Caytons were editors of a popular political newspaper, The Seattle Republican. Later in life, after publishing Cayton's Weekly, the couple turned their publishing expertise into a business and were likely Seattle's first Black public relations practitioners. Each year the Chapter seeks to recognize a student from a systemically underrepresented racial/ethnic background attending school in Washington State who demonstrates academic achievement, a desire to practice public relations and financial need.

Criteria

• Identify as a student of color – Black, African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander
• Interest and aptitude in public relations demonstrated by courses taken, extracurricular activity participation and/or internships
• Full-time sophomore or junior in the 2022-2023 academic year pursuing a career in public relations who will be a full-time junior or senior during the 2023-2024 academic year at a Washington State college or university (Washington State students attending college out-of-state also may apply if they graduated from a Washington high school or have a parent who currently lives in Washington State year-round)
• Academic achievement
• Financial need (FAFSA not required)
• Have overcome barriers in pursuit of personal or academic goals

Applicants must provide a copy of their transcript showing all post-high school courses, grades and cumulative GPA. If selected as the recipient of the scholarship, we will request that you provide an official transcript from your college/university. Scholarship funds will be paid to the appropriate university department and credited to the recipient. 

If there is a tie between two applicants – the committee may choose to investigate further and examine the challenge of the course content, and level of academic rigor. Additionally, top candidates may be contacted for phone interviews, if needed.

If a student is selected to receive multiple Washington PRSA Chapter scholarship awards in a calendar year, the student may only select to receive a single funding award. Further, if a student has already received a scholarship from the PRSA Puget Sound Chapter, they are not eligible to receive additional funding awards from the Puget Sound Chapter.

Take special care to review your application to assure it is complete and error free. Your application will be reviewed by public relations professionals and will be held to a high professional standard. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

For more information, contact Curtis Rogers:
PRSA Puget Sound Chapter, scholarships@prsapugetsound.org

The Sally Heet Memorial Scholarship was established in 1986 in memory of a former member and good friend of Puget Sound PRSA. Sally Heet was a longtime Seattle-area PR practitioner and graduate of the University of Washington School of Communications. At the time of her death, April 16, 1986, she was working in Washington, D.C., as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Dan Evans. Those who knew her referred to her as self-possessed, confident, and professional. She was the victim of a senseless act of violence at her residence in D.C. This annual award is presented to an outstanding public relations student from a college or university in Washington State.

Criteria

• Interest and aptitude in public relations demonstrated by courses taken, activities and/or internships
• Full-time Washington State sophomore or junior in the 2022-2023 academic year, pursuing a career in public relations who will be a full-time junior or senior during the 2023-2024 academic year at a Washington State college or university
• Academic achievement

Applicants must provide a copy of their transcript showing all post-high school courses, grades, and cumulative GPA. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is suggested for application to the PRSA Puget Sound Sally Heet scholarship. If you are selected as the recipient of the scholarship, we will require an official transcript from your college/university. Scholarship funds will be paid to the appropriate university department and credited to the recipient.

If there is a tie between two applicants – the committee may choose to investigate further and examine the challenge of the course content, and level of academic rigor. Additionally, top candidates may be contacted for phone interviews if needed.

If a student is selected to receive multiple Washington PRSA Chapter scholarship awards in a calendar year, the student may only select to receive a single funding award. Further, if a student has already received a scholarship from the PRSA Puget Sound Chapter, they are not eligible to receive additional funding awards from the Puget Sound Chapter.

Take special care to review your application to assure it is complete and error free. Your application will be reviewed by public relations professionals and will be held to a high professional standard. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

For more information, contact Curtis Rogers:
PRSA Puget Sound Chapter, scholarships@prsapugetsound.org