Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Scholarships & Grants

Scholarship Sponsored by Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation

Overview

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Foundation offers multiple scholarships to support students enrolled in media-related programs at Wisconsin colleges, universities, broadcast/media schools, and technical colleges. Awards are intended to help students pursuing careers across audio, visual and digital/social media platforms. Eligible students are encouraged to apply; all applications must be received by the WBA office by 4 p.m. on the stated due date. Specific application deadlines and any additional instructions are posted by the WBA Foundation.

Description: Scholarships for students in media-related educational programs at eligible Wisconsin institutions.

Award Value: Three scholarships of $2,500 and one scholarship of $1,500.

Application Timeline: Applications must be received by the WBA office by 4 p.m. on the published due date; check the WBA Foundation for exact deadlines.

• Multiple awards available to students in media fields.
• Award amounts include three $2,500 and one $1,500 scholarship.
• Applications are time‑sensitive—packages must arrive by 4 p.m. on the deadline day.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet WBA Foundation eligibility rules to be considered. Eligible candidates include students who have completed at least half of their degree requirements in a media-related program at an approved Wisconsin institution, or students who have graduated from a Wisconsin high school. Applicants must be planning a media career that may include audio, visual, and digital/social media platforms, and previous WBA scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.

Eligibility: Completion of at least half of degree requirements in a media-related program at an approved Wisconsin institution, or graduation from a Wisconsin high school; intent to pursue a media career; previous WBA winners are ineligible.

• Must be enrolled in or have graduated from an eligible Wisconsin educational program.
• Program of study should be media‑related (audio, visual, digital/social media).
• Previous WBA scholarship recipients are excluded from eligibility.
• Confirm institutional eligibility via the WBA Foundation’s approved school list.

The David L. Nelson Scholarship

The David L. Nelson Scholarship is a targeted award within the WBA Foundation scholarship program intended for upper‑level students. It specifically supports juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial need, adding a financial‑need criterion to the general WBA eligibility requirements. Applicants should ensure they meet both academic level and need-based criteria before applying.

Eligibility: Must be a junior or senior and demonstrate financial need in addition to meeting general WBA Foundation eligibility requirements.

• Designed for students at the junior or senior level.
• Requires demonstration of financial need.
• Applicants must also meet the Foundation’s general eligibility standards.

Application Requirements

All applicants must complete the WBA Foundation Scholarship Application Form and submit a complete application package. Materials must be received by the WBA office by the stated deadline; incomplete or late packages risk disqualification. Follow the Foundation’s instructions for submission to ensure all items are included.

Required Materials:

• Completed WBA Foundation Scholarship Application Form (view online).
• Current official transcript from the college or university.
• Two brief letters of recommendation supporting the application.
• An original essay written by the applicant addressing one of the provided prompts.

• Submit all materials together before the deadline to be considered.
• Official transcripts are required (not unofficial copies).
• Recommendations should concisely support the applicant’s suitability for the award.

Original Essay

Applicants must submit an original essay addressing one of the scholarship prompts. The essay should be the applicant’s own work; judges prioritize originality of thought and expression and expect submissions that reflect the applicant’s independent ideas rather than content produced by AI. The Foundation evaluates essays for creativity, clarity, and relevance to the prompt.

Formatting and Evaluation: The essay must be an original, double‑spaced document and must not exceed 1,000 words. Judges will assess originality, clarity, and the applicant’s ability to address the prompt thoughtfully.

Prompt: You have unlimited financial resources to create a new media company to be launched within a year. Describe the concept and address these questions:

• What does it look like? Broadcast, digital, social, or a combination?
• Who is the audience?
• How do you ensure fair news coverage?
• What are the distribution channels?
• Who do you hire?
• How do you brand and market the company?
• How is it different from existing media organizations?
• How can this company be a positive force?
• Why is it important?

• Essay must be original and authored by the applicant.
• Double‑spaced, maximum 1,000 words.
• Judges seek creativity, original thought, and clear expression.