Iowa Newspaper Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Iowa Newspaper Foundation

Attention High School And College Students...

Are you planning a career in newspapers? Apply for a scholarship today! The Iowa Newspaper Foundation offers a limited number of college scholarships for students preparing for careers in the newspaper industry. See your high school School Counselor for more information or complete an online application at www.INAnews.com. 

To learn more about a career in newspapers or these scholarships, contact this newspaper or the Iowa Newspaper Foundation.

You will be asked for two references and a personal statement. One reference must be from a teacher and one from a counselor. You will also be asked to upload two work samples with your application.

Carter Pitts Endowment Scholarship

Award amount is $500. The Carter Pitts Endowment Fund generates an annual scholarship awarded to either an Iowa high school senior enrolling in a two-year or four-year journalism program at an Iowa institution of higher learning or a student already enrolled in an Iowa institution of higher learning.  Criteria for awarding the scholarship should be as follows: financial need, grade point average, class load and samples of work and letters of reference.

The Le Mars Daily Sentinel/Carter Pitts Scholarships

The Le Mars Daily Sentinel funds an annual Carter Pitts scholarship in the amount of $500. The scholarship is named for the Daily Sentinel’s longtime publisher/owner. The late Carter Pitts was also the first president of the Iowa Newspaper Foundation and the organization’s first professional fundraiser. In addition, the Carter Pitts Scholarship Endowment Fund generates an annual scholarship. The amount of the award will be determined in early 2026.

Belin Scholarship

This scholarship, in the name of the late David W. Belin, longtime business partner of Gerlach and Gartner, annually awards scholarships to up to two students enrolled in Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

Iowa Journalism Institute Scholarships

Funded by a contribution from Michael Gartner and Gary Gerlach of Des Moines, the IJI will award scholarships to up to two students enrolled in Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. These scholarships will be given in the name of the late David W. Belin, longtime business partner of Gerlach and Gartner.

The balance of available IJI funds will be used to provide scholarships to students interested in Iowa community newspaper careers and who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in newspaper journalism (or a closely related field) at any college or university in the nation.

The amount of each scholarship is based on IJI endowment fund earnings and will be determined in early 2026.

Jack Hovelson Scholarship

Funded by friends and family of longtime Iowa newspaper reporter and former Des Moines Register Northeast Iowa Bureau chief, Jack Hovelson, an annual $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior at University of Northern Iowa or Iowa State University. Applicants must demonstrate dedication to print or digital journalism, and exhibit curiosity, creativity, and integrity in reporting news–notable characteristics of Hovelson’s career.

Morlan Scholarship

In memory of Frank Morlan, longtime Iowa newspaper owner, this scholarship is awarded to students from a city or community of fewer than 10,000.  The student(s) will be either Iowa high school seniors enrolling in a two-year or four-year journalism program at an Iowa institution of higher learning or students already enrolled in an Iowa institution of higher learning.  Criteria for awarding the scholarship should be as follows: financial need, grade point average, class load and samples of work and letters of reference.  Award amount is $1,000.

Shaw Scholarship

Funded by endowment created by Shaw Newspapers. An annual scholarship award will go to an incoming college freshman preparing for a journalism or communications career at an accredited two or four-year college or university in the United States. Scholarships will be awarded to students who are dependents of men or women who work for Iowa newspapers.  Award amount is up to $1,200.

Woodward Scholarship

Funded by a contribution from Woodward Communications, Inc. An annual scholarship award will go to a student studying journalism, communications, mass communications, photojournalism, graphic design, marketing, or public relations at a college or university in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin. Award amount is $500.