School of Communication Financial Assistance

The School of Communication offers assistance to students in two forms: graduate assistantships and scholarships. Read more about both types of financial aid below.

Assistantships

Assistantships are open to graduate students only. Students who receive assistantships are given tuition waivers and a monthly stipend. All graduate students who are admitted to the program are considered for assistantship, but funds are limited. Students who apply early, usually by January 21 for fall admissions, stand a greater chance of receiving funding.

Teaching Assistantships

Duties: Teaching Assistants provide faculty support for a specific course including grading, leading discussions, and lecturing.
Examples of the types of courses a student might assist with include Fundamentals of Speech, Public Speaking, Principles of Advertising, Mass Media Law, Communication and the Internet , Elements of Film, Introduction to the Mass Media, Introduction to Public Relations, Media Techniques, and Elements of Broadcasting.
Application Process: None. All students admitted to a graduate program are automatically considered for school assistantships. In assigning assistantships, we consider students’ academic performance, language and writing competency, as well as preparedness to assist the department.

Research Assistantships

Duties: The School of Communication has been successful in winning contracts and grants that allow students to work with faculty on research projects. Duties vary.
Application Process: None. All students admitted to a graduate program are automatically considered for school assistantships. In assigning assistantships, we consider students’ academic performance, language and writing competency, as well as preparedness to assist the department. These opportunities may be discussed with the school director.

Merit Scholarships

Eligibility for individual scholarships is set by the organization that funds the scholarship, and it varies. Some are limited to graduate students, some to undergraduate students and some are open to both. Most scholarships are awarded in the fall for the following spring semester. However, the Bickel Scholarships are offered in spring and summer.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarships may cause an adjustment to financial aid award packages. Students are responsible for consulting the Office of Financial Services to determine whether their financial aid will be affected by any additional scholarship funds.

Instructions for Fall 2009-Spring 2010 Scholarship Applicants

*********The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009.**************

Review the Fall 2009 List of Available Scholarships (pdf 11.76 kB) and download the Fall 2009 Scholarship Application (pdf 18.01 kB).

Eligibility criteria: Full-time students who are majoring in one of the School of Communication programs are eligible to apply for merit scholarships. Students may apply for multiple scholarships but will be awarded only one per year. Students must meet the criteria established for every scholarship for which they are applying. Funds will be disbursed for the following Spring term. It is university policy that all scholarship recipients must prepare a letter of appreciation to the donor, with a copy to the School, before any funds are disbursed. The minimum award granted is $500. Successful applicants will be expected to attend the College of Communication & Information Awards Day in the Spring 2010 semester.

Instructions: One complete copy of the application package must be submitted, and the application form can be checked to request consideration for more than one award. Applicants may include a different statement for each award for which they wish to be considered; each one should be clearly labeled. Students might be required to appear for an interview. Each application package must include:

1. A completed student information form, including the scholarship list indicating which scholarship or scholarships are requested ( download application form (pdf 18.01 kB))
2. An official or unofficial copy of the FSU transcript
3. A resume
4. Two letters of reference (if required)
5. A written statement outlining program goals and financial need; statement must be double-spaced and not exceed two pages.
6. A portfolio or video (if required)

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009, in the School of Communication (University Center Building C, Suite 3100). Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Materials should be sent to:

Scholarship Committee
Attn: Ms. Nakeesha Carter
School of Communication
University Center Building C, Suite 3100
P.O. Box 3062664
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2664