Iowa Newspaper Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Iowa Newspaper Foundation

The Iowa Newspaper Foundation provides a limited number of college scholarships for students preparing for careers in the newspaper industry.

Application requirements
- Two references (one must be from a teacher and one from a school counselor).
- A personal statement.
- Two work samples to be uploaded with the application.

Scholarship programs and eligibility

Shaw Scholarship
- Supported by Shaw Newspapers.
- Annual award for an incoming college freshman pursuing a journalism or communications degree at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university.
- Eligible applicants are dependents of men or women employed by Iowa newspapers.
- Award amounts are determined by fund earnings and will be announced in early 2024.

INF Scholarships
- Scholarships from the Iowa Newspaper Foundation for Iowa residents who are preparing for careers in Iowa newspapers and who attend in-state colleges or universities.

Iowa Journalism Institute (IJI) Scholarships
- Funded by Michael Gartner and Gary Gerlach of Des Moines; awards are made in memory of David W. Belin.
- Up to two scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
- Remaining IJI funds will support students interested in Iowa community newspaper careers who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate newspaper journalism program (or a closely related field) at any U.S. college or university.
- Individual award amounts depend on IJI endowment earnings and will be set in early 2024.

Woodward Scholarship
- Funded by Woodward Communications, Inc.
- Annual award for students studying journalism, communications, mass communications, photojournalism, graphic design, marketing, or public relations at a college or university in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin.
- Award amounts depend on fund earnings and will be announced in early 2024.

Morlan Scholarship
- Funded by Frank and Sally Morlan.
- Intended for an Iowa high school senior from a town or community with fewer than 10,000 residents who is enrolling in a two- or four-year journalism program at an Iowa institution, or for a student already enrolled at an Iowa institution of higher education.

Carter Pitts Scholarships
- The Le Mars Daily Sentinel funds an annual Carter Pitts scholarship of $500, named for the paper’s longtime publisher/owner and first Iowa Newspaper Foundation president.
- In addition, the Carter Pitts Scholarship Endowment Fund produces an annual scholarship; the amount of that award will be determined in early 2024.

Jack Hovelson Scholarship
- Funded by friends and family of the late Jack Hovelson, longtime Iowa newspaper reporter and former Des Moines Register Northeast Iowa Bureau chief.
- An annual $500 scholarship awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior at the University of Northern Iowa or Iowa State University.
- Applicants should demonstrate commitment to print or digital journalism and show curiosity, creativity, and integrity in news reporting—qualities exemplified by Hovelson.

For questions about the application process or award specifics, contact the Iowa Newspaper Foundation.