Quill and Scroll Scholarships

National winners in Quill and Scroll contests — such as the Yearbook Excellence Contest or the International Writing, Photography and Multimedia Contest and the Eye on Ivy Editorial Writing Contest – are eligible as seniors to apply for Quill and Scroll scholarships: the Edward J. Nell Memorial, or the George and Ophelia Gallup awards. The Richard P. Johns award is available to all Quill and Scroll seniors, including those who did not enter contests. The scholarships are awarded for the freshman year only and can be paid in two installments.

Last year we awarded scholarships to three 2023 seniors.

Deadline for filling out the online application form for the Class of 2024 was May 10, 2024.

All scholarships can be used for tuition, room and board at any college or university. Recipients must major in journalism or a related area of communications. The scholarships are awarded for the freshman year only and are paid through the university or college bursar’s office.

Scholarships amounts can vary. The Quill and Scroll Scholarship Committee will determine the amounts based on the applicants’ qualifications and recommendations 

Past winners have gone on to amazing careers in journalism.

Winners will be notified before June 20, 2024.

What’s required in the online form?

Two letters of recommendation

• One from a journalism teacher/adviser, and
• One from a principal or counselor.

Recommenders should write a letter on official school or district letterhead, save it as a PDF and forward to the student to include in the online application form. IF YOUR SCHOOL OR DISTRICT DOESN’T ALLOW students to receive letters of recommendation, please send them to qscontests@studentpress.org. The letters should answer the following questions:

• Why does this student deserve to be awarded a Quill and Scroll Foundation Scholarship in Journalism?
• What are the student’s class rank, GPA, and ACT/SAT scores, if applicable?
• What other traits does this student possess that would convince the Q&S Scholarship Committee that this student will succeed as a college journalism student or journalist?
• What anecdote can you tell us to back up your assessment?

A personal statement of not more than 500 words

• The student applicant should address significant topics, including:
• Journalistic experience;
• Future plans;
• Activities;
• Honors;
• Volunteer service; or
• How college will be financed.

Three examples of journalistic work

These should provide insight into the applicant’s abilities and promise. Include links to stories, video, and/or photos published online. Include files of works published in professional and/or student publications.

A small color photo of the applicant

Please include a photo (preferably a head shot) of yourself. Make it a .jpg and not larger than 2 MB.