Each year, the Foundation – in conjunction with New York Women in Communications – awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students who intend to pursue or further a career in communications. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, need, and a demonstrated commitment to the field of communications. New York Women in Communications and its Foundation are committed to inclusion and diversity. Note that awards are for use in the 2011-12 academic year.
Please read all of the following information carefully before completing and submitting the appropriate application form on the next page. Note that some of the requirements are new this year.
ELIGIBILITY
U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of NY, NJ, CT, or PA
* High school seniors who are permanent residents of and attend a high school in one of these states and will graduate in 2011
* College undergraduate and graduate students who are permanent residents of one of these states
* Graduate students must also be members of New York Women in Communications in good standing (i.e., dues for the current year paid in full)
* NOTE: As long as they fulfill the permanent home residency requirements, applicants are eligible even if they attend or plan to attend an accredited U.S. college/university located outside of NY, NJ, CT, or PA . This includes participation in a communications-related semester or quarter abroad if still registered at an accredited college/university in the U.S.)
U.S. citizens who reside outside of NY, NJ, CT, or PA
College undergraduates who are not permanent residents of NY, NJ, CT, or PA but who are currently enrolled in a communications program at a college/university in one of the five boroughs of New York City. (NOTE: This excludes high school seniors who will be enrolling as freshmen)
QUALIFICATIONS
An applicant must
* be majoring – or, for high school seniors, declaring a major – or pursuing an advanced degree in a communications-related field including, but not limited to, advertising, broadcasting, communications, English, film, journalism, marketing, digital media, or public relations at an accredited college/university; in the U.S.
* have an overall GPA of 3.2 or better (or the recalculated high school equivalent)
Past scholarship winners who are reapplying must be NYWICI members in good standing (i.e., dues for the current year paid in full, if applicable).
SCHOLARSHIPS
We award 15-20 scholarships, generally in the amounts of $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000. The distribution varies from year to year, but in 2010 we awarded $103,000 in scholarships to 19 students: six graduating high school seniors, nine undergraduates, and four graduate students. In addition to our general scholarships, the following named scholarships with specific qualifications currently are awarded through the New York Women in Communications Foundation. Most are funded by corporations or foundations that retain the right to impose qualifications, which may include, but are not limited to, a candidate’s declared major, area of study, or demonstrated skill; age or year of study; and personal background.
On the Road to Matrix Scholarship
Awarded to an outstanding NYWICI member who is a college junior or senior or graduate student and who has demonstrated her commitment to a career in communications and to the organization. Past scholarship winners are eligible. This scholarship is funded by members of the Matrix Hall of Fame.
Ruth Whitney Scholarship from Glamour magazine
Awarded to a college student who has had some experience in writing, reporting, or design and who has a demonstrated interest in magazine journalism or publishing. Includes an opportunity to visit the magazine and spend a week with the editorial team.
Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship and internship from Scholastic
Awarded to a student interested in public relations who is able to fulfill a paid internship at the company’s New York City headquarters during summer 2011.
Interpublic Group (IPG) Scholarship and internship
Awarded to an ethnically diverse student who is currently a college junior and who has demonstrated an interest in a career in advertising or public relations. Candidates must be able to fulfill a paid internship in New York City during summer 2010. IPG is the holding company for a large number of firms focused on communications. Some of the most well known advertising and PR brands include McCann Erickson, Draftfcb, Deutsch, Gotham, Weber Shandwick, and GolinHarris.
Hearst Scholarship
Awarded to a college sophomore, junior, or senior with a demonstrated commitment to a career in magazines (editorial or ad sales) or digital media. Opportunity exists for an internship at the company’s New York City headquarters during summer 2011.
Daniel Ladner Scholarships
Awarded to a college junior or senior or a graduate student who has demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing a career in financial communications (whether in marketing, advertising, investor relations, PR, corporate communications, or the media/journalism), or political communications (whether in political journalism, advertising, analysis, or consulting; public, government, or international affairs; diplomacy; speechwriting; or advocacy) – two scholarships awarded.
Carlozzi Family Scholarship
Awarded to an undergraduate student who is an accomplished writer.
New York Women in Communications Alumna Award of Excellence
Awarded to a previous scholarship winner who is dedicated to strengthening NYWICI and has shown outstanding growth as a student since she first became a recipient. This scholarship is supported by the fund-raising efforts of previous scholarship winners.
Esperanza Scholarship
Awarded to a student of Hispanic heritage pursuing the dream of a career in communications.
SELECTION PROCESS
Recipients are chosen by the New York Women in Communications Foundation Scholarship Committee on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community-service activities, honors and other awards or recognition, work experience, and statement of goals and aspirations. Need and unusual personal and/or family circumstances are also considered. Candidates who make the first cut will be interviewed by telephone. Those who make it to the finals will be required to attend an in-person interview in New York City on Friday, March 11, or Monday, March 14 (no exceptions and no telephone interviews). Finalists and nonfinalists will be notified by email on March 3 or 4; finalists will then be contacted by telephone between March 3 and 8 to schedule their interviews. After the final interviews, names of scholarship recipients will be posted to the Foundation website by Friday, March 18.
Recipients are required to attend and will be acknowledged on stage at the New York Women in Communications Matrix Awards Luncheon on Monday, April 11, 2011, in New York City. They are expected to dress and behave in a way that is exemplary for young professionals.
OBLIGATIONS OF RECIPIENTS
CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Each recipient must provide written confirmation of acceptance into an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university no later than May 16, 2011. Scholarship monies will be sent directly to educational institutions in June.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN NEW YORK WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS
Scholarship recipients automatically receive a complimentary one-year membership in New York Women in Communications – which we hope they will renew on their own in subsequent years – and are viewed as the organization’s ambassadors. As such, they will be invited to events throughout the course of the year and are expected to attend as many as possible – for those attending schools within an easy commute of New York City – and to be active participants in the organization (either directly or remotely via the Internet or telephone). Participation can take many forms, including but not limited to committee membership, writing articles for various publications, serving as event volunteers, bringing nonmember friends to events, and spreading the word about our events and recruiting new members on campus.
INTERNSHIPS
Recipients of sponsored scholarships that come with internships or other onsite opportunities are expected to fulfill those as part of the terms of acceptance. That includes complying with all requirements and demonstrating professionalism in dress and behavior.
CHANGE OF STATUS
Recipients are required to notify New York Women in Communications of any changes of school or home address and other contact information, enrollment status, or other relevant information.
COURSE OF STUDY
While the course of study is left to the student, the recipient must major in a communications-related field and take sufficient credits each semester to qualify as a full-time undergraduate student or a full or part-time graduate student during the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.
CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER
Although scholarship recipients are expected to continue at the same college or university, the Scholarship Committee will consider transferring a scholarship to another institution. The student must notify the Scholarship Committee in advance of intent to transfer and to continue majoring in a communications field, provide evidence of good standing at the college/university attended, and submit evidence of acceptance at the new college/university.
INTERRUPTION OF STUDIES
A recipient may request that the award be held if the student’s studies are interrupted by prolonged illness, an accident, or other extenuating circumstances (to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis). Any such interruption must be documented in writing and reported promptly to the Scholarship Committee for approval. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Scholarship Committee of intent to resume full-time study so that arrangements can be made for reinstatement of the award. If the interruption is medical, it must be documented in writing by a physician.
SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL
Renewal is not automatic. Past recipients are eligible to reapply but cannot receive the same named scholarship more than once and must complete the appropriate supplemental application form as part of the application package.
Download the application instructions and form!
Download the supplemental application!
More information here.
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