Eligibility requirements: Students with at least one year of academic coursework remaining at an institution with a Kappa Tau Alpha chapter majoring or planning to major in journalism or another mass communication field
Amount: $1,000
Deadline to apply: Feb. 1
How to apply: Email PDFs of application materials to kappataualpha@missouri.edu.
Application materials:
- A letter of recommendation from a professional or academic reference (high school or college)
- An Application Essay of no more than 500 words that:
o Introduces yourself, including your current academic status and your current or intended major in journalism and mass communication, including any background and experiences that have led you to pursue a career in journalism and mass communication
o Discusses how the Kappa Tau Alpha scholarship will benefit you, including relevant aspects of financial need or status as a first-generation college student.
o Details your personal goals and aspirations within the field of journalism and mass communication, including specific areas of interest, such as journalism, media production, or public relations, and explains why these areas are important to you
o Explains how your goals and aspirations align with one or more of the core ideals of Kappa Tau Alpha, which are: Dedication to the highest ideals of journalism and mass communication in whatever medium you may work; commitment to freedom of expression; upholding honesty in news, commentary and advertising; practicing fairness to all persons and all groups; demonstrating skill and artistry in presentation; and prioritizing accuracy and truth.
Applications will be assessed based on how clearly they present the applicant’s financial need, how compellingly students discuss their goals and aspirations in journalism and mass communication, and how persuasively they align those personal goals and aspirations with Kappa Tau Alpha’s ideals. The essays should be well structured, logically organized, and lack grammatical or spelling errors.
Finalists will be required to demonstrate financial need through their institution’s financial aid office, as well as proof of full-time attendance.