Are you looking into bachelor’s in communications programs? Current and prospective students may be able to get financial assistance in the form of communications scholarships and grants. 

This guide gives you an idea of what to expect in terms of tuition for a communications degree and provides a list of Bachelor of Communications scholarships and grants. 

The average communications degree tuition depends on a variety of factors. One is whether or not you attend a community college to complete general education requirements, or if you attend a four-year college for the course of your degree program. Another factor that may affect tuition for those majoring in communications is whether a school is in-state vs. out-of-state, private vs. public, or nonprofit vs. for-profit. 

Generally, tuition is higher for private, nonprofit and out-of-state schools. According to EducationData.org, the average annual cost of tuition for a four-year in-state public college was $9,349 as of March 2022. Comparatively, tuition for a four-year out-of-state public college was $27,023 . Average tuition for four-year private schools was even higher, coming in at $35,807 per year. 

A bachelor’s in communications student may be able to lower tuition costs by attending community college for their first two years, then attending a public, in-state school for the remainder of their studies. Grants and scholarships may be a great way to offset college expenses depending on the type of school you want to attend and your financial means.

Grants are a form of gift aid for students who major in communications and other subjects. Unlike student loans, grants for communications students don’t have to be paid back. Below, we’ve provided a list of communications degree grants that may be applicable to prospective students. 

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students who have notable financial need and who haven’t yet graduated with a postsecondary degree. The maximum award for the 2021-22 school year was $6,495, but award amounts change each year. To apply, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a school-administered grant for between $100 and $4,000 per year. It is provided to undergraduate students with notable financial need. Contact your school’s financial aid office to see if they offer this type of grant and if you qualify.

General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program offers grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 for eligible Space Force and Air Force dependents each year. Grant amounts correlate with a student’s level of financial need.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants are available for students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) died due to military service in Afghanistan or Iraq after the events of 9/11. To be eligible, you need to have not received a Federal Pell Grant due to your Expected Family Contribution, but you must meet the remaining requirements for the Pell Grant.

Asian American Journalists Association Grants

The Asian American Journalists Association offers several grant opportunities for undergraduate Asian American communications students. These include:

State Government Grants

Various education agencies and state governments also provide grants for communications students. You can visit the U.S. Department of Education State Contacts page to see what types of grants each state offers.

Communications degree scholarships are another form of gift aid that doesn’t have to be paid back. While grants are often awarded based on financial need, scholarships are more often awarded on merit. 

There are a variety of bachelor’s in communications scholarships that may help you offset the costs associated with college. Some undergraduate communications scholarships are school-specific, while other scholarships are available to any student who qualifies, no matter what school they attend. Be sure to thoroughly read the requirements for any scholarship before filling out an application. 

Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Scholarships

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) offers several scholarships for female students studying media in college. These include:

Islamic Scholarship Fund

The Islamic Scholarship Fund awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to American Muslim scholars pursuing media studies, communications or writing. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are required to submit a resume, video introduction, essay questions and two letters of recommendation.

Journalist of the Year Scholarships

Journalist of the Year Scholarships are presented by the Journalist Education Association (JEA). The contest begins at the state level with winning portfolios from the state competitions moving to the national level. There is a $3,000 scholarship for the top winner and $1,000 scholarships for the four runners-up. The first step in applying is checking individual requirements for your state. 

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students

The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students is a $2,500 award available to United Methodist undergraduates studying mass communications or religion journalism. Applicants are judged on criteria including involvement in the life of the United Methodist Church and clarity of goals for the future.

The National Association for Amateur Radio Foundation scholarships

The National Association for Amateur Radio (AARL) Foundation offers dozens of scholarships for undergraduate students who are amateur radio license holders. Some are specific to certain states or regions, while others are open to applicants in any location.

Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarships

The Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships are $5,000 awards for Greek-American undergraduates pursuing careers in communications or journalism. Criteria include a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need and active participation in school, community and church organizations.

Other Communications Scholarships

In addition to the communications degrees scholarships listed above, you may be interested in the following scholarships for qualifying bachelor’s in communications students. New scholarships are available every year so it can be beneficial to explore your options each semester to see what scholarships you may qualify for. 

Last updated April 2022