Bob Ross Scholarship 2015 : NLGJA

NATIONAL LESBIAN & GAY JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION

Update: The deadline to apply has been extended to September 30, 2015.

The Northern California Chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA-NorCal) is pleased to announce its 2015 Bob Ross Student Scholarship. For the eighth year in a row, the Bob Ross Foundation has generously offered $2,500 for the winner of this scholarship.

Bob Ross, for whom the scholarship is named, founded San Francisco newspaper the Bay Area Reporter in 1971. The Bay Area Reporter is one of the oldest known lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender papers in the nation. Ross, who was also a passionate advocate for both LGBT and AIDS rights, passed away in 2003.

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, online media professionals and students that works from within the journalism industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes workplace bias against all minorities and provides professional development for its members.

The Northern California Chapter is responsible for furthering NLGJA’s mission in this region and is directed by a board elected by members who live and work here.

SELECTION

Applicants for the student scholarship should be pursuing an education in journalism or a related field at an institution of higher education in Northern California; students who are from Northern California of a Northern California school but are pursuing journalism related studies out of state also qualify. The winning candidate must demonstrate an outstanding commitment to NLGJA’s mission.

A candidate’s sexual orientation is not a factor in the decision making process. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity for an ongoing professional relationship with NLGJA journalists. The winner will be selected at the discretion of NLGJA’s Northern California board based on academic and journalistic excellence, as well as a demonstrated commitment to and understanding of NLGJA’s mission.

REQUIREMENTS

A completed application form (following these guidelines).
A résumé listing your educational background, work history (including any work done for a newspaper, radio station, television station and/or other media), awards, internships and other scholarships.
Samples of your best work: Materials will not be returned.
- For print journalism applicants, please include up to three clips of your published work. These can be mailed or sent electronically.
- For broadcast journalism or documentary film applicants, one DVD or VHS videotape that includes up to three examples of your work is required. Web links also are acceptable.
- For photojournalism applicants, submit up to three 8″ x 10″ prints of your best work. These also can be sent electronically.
Contact information for two references. These should be people who know your academic and/or journalism work (i.e. professors, advisers, employers, etc.).
A double-spaced personal essay of no more than 1,000 words (handwritten essays will not be accepted) explaining why you are pursuing a career in journalism and why you deserve this scholarship. Please explain how your work thus far demonstrates a commitment to NLGJA’s mission.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

All entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by September 30, 2015. In person deliveries will NOT be accepted.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

We prefer that you send your application electronically to the e-mail address provided below with “NLGJA App” as the subject line. However, if work samples are not available in an electronic format, they may be sent separately via regular mail, as can the entire application if necessary. No applications will be accepted in person.

Questions about the scholarship and the application should also be sent to the e-mail address provided below.

Electronic Submission:
Maria De La O at norcal@nlgja.org

Regular Mail:

Maria De La O
NLGJA-NorCal Chapter President
831 14th St.
San Francisco, CA 94114

NLGJA Northern California Chapter Student Scholarship Guidelines & Application Updated April 19, 2015

NATIONAL LESBIAN & GAY JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Name (Last, First, Middle): _____________________________________________________________________

Date of Birth: _________________

Permanent Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _____________________________________________________________________

E-mail: ________________________________________________________________

Area of Interest:
____ Print ____ Television / Film ____ Radio ____ Photojournalism ____ New Media

Name of School:

_____________________________________________________________________

School Address:

_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

School Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________________

Name of Adviser/Counselor: _____________________________________________________________________

Adviser’s Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________________

Adviser’s E-mail:

_____________________________________________________________________

Spring of 2015 Status:

____ Freshman ____ Sophomore ____ Junior ____ Senior ____ Graduate Student

Major/Area of Focus: _____________________________________________________

Are you a full-time student? _____________________________________________________________________

Expected Graduation Date: _____________________________________________________________________

GPA: _______ GPA Scale: _______

Will you be able to attend the NLGJA national convention in San Francisco in September 2015?
____ Yes ____ No

Verification:

I affirm that all information included with this application is true and accurate and that I will pursue my interest in journalism. I also affirm that the awarding of funds is contingent upon my enrollment as a student in the 20152016 academic year at an accredited college or university. All materials, including transcripts, résumé, writing samples, references and essays should be submitted with this application and will not be returned. All applications must be emailed or postmarked no later than September 30, 2015. _____________________________________________________________________

Applicant Signature _____________________________________________________________________

Date ____________