Undergraduate Prizes & Scholarships

School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) undergraduates have access to a range of scholarships and prizes that support your academic journey and celebrate your achievements. That includes year-round support for students facing financial hardship, prizes that recognize research and creative achievement, and funding to help you pursue a summer internship.

New opportunities open throughout the year, so check back each semester. Not sure if an award is the right fit? Send us an email at smpagwu [dot] edu (smpa[at]gwu[dot]edu) with any questions.

Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund

Named in honor of groundbreaking broadcast journalist, the late Cokie Roberts, and her husband, Steve Roberts, the J.B. and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs, the Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund will provide support for School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) undergraduate students as they pursue their education at GW.

The purpose of this fund is to support students facing financial hardship, including unmet need and financial emergencies. In the spirit of Cokie and Steve, the fund will support as many students as possible each semester and students with the greatest need will be given priority. Cokie and Steve Roberts SMPA Student Support Fund awards typically range up to $7,500.

Learn More and Apply for the Fund

Fall Semester Prize and Scholarship Opportunities

Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prizes

Named in honor of two legendary SMPA faculty members, the Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prizes are designed to support and encourage outstanding mentored undergraduate research and creative activity. SMPA awards two prizes each academic year, one for a political communication major and one for a journalism and mass communication major.

Students must have an SMPA faculty mentor for their project to qualify for these prizes. The prizes are designed to afford students an opportunity to partake of the many benefits that result from undertaking a serious research project or creative work and from establishing a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member.

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Spring Semester Prize and Scholarship Opportunities

SMPA Career Action Network (SMPA CAN) Internship Fund Prizes

The SMPA Career Action Network (SMPA CAN) Fund supports students with financial hardship pursuing summer internship experiences at established media organizations that they otherwise might not be able to afford. This prize has a separate application process from other spring opportunities and awards are available for rising seniors.

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Larry King Scholarships: Created by the former CNN personality who never attended college, this award goes to rising seniors with demonstrated financial need who have superior academic records.
Sherman Page Allen Scholarships: This scholarship is open to first years, sophomores and juniors if they display a desire to specialize in the field of journalism. The scholarship was endowed in 1966 through a bequest from the estate of Violet B. Robinson.
Gridiron Foundation Scholarships: The fund will support merit-based scholarships for School of Media & Public Affairs first-year, sophomores, juniors and graduate students who have an interest in journalism and who have demonstrated academic excellence along with a serious interest in journalism careers, particularly related to the fields of politics, government, and public affairs.
Schneider-Taylor Scholarship: This scholarship, established by the parents of a recent graduate, provides “need-based” aid to a first year, sophomore or junior.
Eaton Foundation Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship provides aid for SMPA seniors in the dual degree program. The letter to the awards committee should outline previously received honors, awards and other reasons for special consideration.
Essary Prize: The School of Media and Public Affairs oldest prize, created in 1948 to honor the memory of Jesse Frederick Essary, the award goes “to a student who has given promise of sound citizenship and ability in 'forthright reporting'.” This is a writing award, open to all SMPA students, and requires a portfolio of at least five examples of published or broadcast work from campus-based news outlets or professional outlets outside of class.
Hoberman Prize: Created by the family of a recent graduate, this merit-based award is open to all SMPA students and is awarded for original and meaningful journalism. That work can take any form—print, video, audio, photography or a combination of multimedia platforms. The prize will honor reporting that demonstrates depth, originality and a connection to either a local or global community.
Dorothy and Will Roberts Prize: This prize was created by Professor Steven Roberts in the name of his parents. It is given to graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, professional promise and community service.
Stephen Holly Bronz Memorial Fund for Journalism: Established in 1982 by gift of Pearl B. Holly, M.D., in memory of her son Stephen Holly Bronz, the income to be used to encourage and assist student journalism.

Applications will open on Monday, January 4.

Please send any questions to us at smpagwu [dot] edu (smpa[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Apply to the Prize and Scholarship Opportunities