Student Scholarship Program

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation offers two $2,500 scholarships and two $1,500 scholarships to assist students enrolled in media related educational programs at public or private colleges/universities, broadcast/media schools and Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Students who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. The deadline for application is 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. All applications must be received by the WBA office by this deadline.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Students who have completed at least one-half of their degree or graduation requirements in a media or media related course of study are eligible to apply. Applicants must be attending a Higher Educational Institution in Wisconsin that has been designated as eligible by the WBA Foundation Board. To see if your school is eligible, check out the approved school list here.

OR

Students who have graduated from a Wisconsin high school.

Applicants must be planning a media career that includes audio, visual and digital/social media platforms.

Previous WBA scholarship winners are not eligible.

The David L. Nelson Scholarship

The David L. Nelson Scholarship is aimed at juniors and seniors and includes the following additional requirements:

  1. Applicant must be a junior or senior.
  2. Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must complete the WBA Foundation Scholarship Application Form.
All applicants must submit the following materials:

  1. Completed form (see below).
  2. Current copy of OFFICIAL transcript of college/university grades
  3. Two brief letters of recommendation supporting the application
  4. An original essay written by the applicant which addresses one of two questions (continue reading to learn more). The essay must be a double-spaced word type document not to exceed 1000 words.
Original Essay

1) You have unlimited financial resources, create a new media company to be launched within a year:

What does it look like? Broadcast, digital, social, other?
What is the audience?
How do you ensure fair news coverage?
Distribution?
Who do you hire?
Branding–how do you market?
How is it different?
How do you distinguish it from other forms already in existence?
How can this be a positive force?
And is it important?

2) What do you see as the single greatest challenge or opportunity facing the media industry? What would you do to address it? Are you addressing this challenge now and who is your audience?

Apply

All application materials must be received by 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.

Note: Scholarship finalists may be asked to participate in a personal interview.

Complete the application form here:

    Your Name (required)

    Your School (required)

    Major (required)

    No. of credits or hours completes as of Oct. 1, 2022 (required)

    Anticipated graduation date (required)

    Permanent address: Street address (required)

    Permanent address: City, State, Zip (required)

    School address: Street address (required)

    School address: City, State, Zip (required)

    Home phone number (required)

    Cell phone number (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Community of birth (required)

    Name and location of high school from which you graduated (required)

    Career goal

    Post high school extracurricular activities

    Awards and Honors

    Media experience (may include internships, part or full-time work experience, and work at student media facilities)

    Current Cumulative GPA (required)

    Financial Need - Required for David L. Nelson Scholarship - Applicant may be asked to submit proof of financial need.

    Can demonstrate financial need

    Official Transcript of college/university grades [.doc, .docx, or .pdf]

    Letter of recommendation (1) [.doc, .docx, or .pdf]

    Letter of recommendation (2) [.doc, .docx, or .pdf]

    Essay [.doc, .docx, or .pdf]