Closed
$1,500
2 Award Winners
Application Open Date
1/1/2023
Application Deadline
5/15/2023
Eligible Grades
College Senior

PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship

Funded by
PRSA Foundation
Closed
$1,500
2 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
1/1/2023
Scholarship Close Date
5/15/2023
Eligible Grades
College Senior

The Public Relations Society of America(PRSA) Multicultural Affairs Committee started the PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship in 1989. The scholarship supports college students who have exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to public relations.

The annual scholarship awards $1,500 to two seniors. The scholarship supports students of Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Indigenous ancestry. The students should be pursuing studies in public relations, journalism, or mass communications.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA in all courses. Each applicant is to submit an essay, a resume, at least one recommendation letter, and academic transcripts. Two additional recommendation letters can be submitted.

Scholarship Summary

The Public Relations Society of America(PRSA) Multicultural Affairs Committee started the PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship in 1989. The scholarship supports college students who have exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to public relations.

The annual scholarship awards $1,500 to two seniors. The scholarship supports students of Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Indigenous ancestry. The students should be pursuing studies in public relations, journalism, or mass communications.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA in all courses. Each applicant is to submit an essay, a resume, at least one recommendation letter, and academic transcripts. Two additional recommendation letters can be submitted.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: College Senior
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: 3.0
  • Geographic Eligibility: United States
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Alaskan Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander

Key Information of PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship

Study Details

Area of Study

  • Communications
  • Journalism
  • Mass Communications
  • Public Relations

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Any

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Grade transcript
  • Recommendation letters
  • Essay
  • Short Answers

PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship Timeline

January 1, 2023

Application Open Date

The application opens in January

May 15, 2023

Application deadline

All applications must be submitted by the deadline.

How to ace the PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship

1

Choose your recommenders wisely

The main recommendation letter should either be from a PRSA member, a professional in the public relations industry, or higher education. Choose one that knows you well and can speak favorably and in detail about your abilities. You can select two more recommenders who can write about your leadership skills, academic ability, or work ethic.

2

Write a winning two-page essay

Do a little research if you need some help getting started. List out the ideas you’ll discuss in each paragraph and proceed to write the essay. Review your essay for clarity and flow. Ensure that your essay is double spaced and thoroughly proofread.

3

Vamp up your résumé

Review and edit your résumé to include your latest internships, leadership roles, awards, community engagements, and grades. You could also redesign it and give it a fresh look.

4

Prepare for the interview

Request a friend to do mock-up interviews with you. Give your essay and resume to them and have them ask questions they think may feature in the interview. The mock-ups will help boost your confidence and get you ready for the interview

How the PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship is Judged

Applicants are judged based on academic merit, writing skills, leadership skills, work experience,

Why We Love the PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship

1

You choose the essay you’ll write

Three essay topics are provided and you get to choose the essay you’ll write.

2

Students who aren’t PRSSA members can apply

Students who aren’t PRSA student members can apply for the scholarship.

3

Students from all universities can apply

Eligible students from any university in the US can apply for the scholarship

5 Facts About Diversity in Public Relations

01.

There is only 12.1% ethnic diversity

The industry is 8.3% African American, 5.7% Latinx, and 2.6% Asian American.

02.

70% of the staff are women

Women make up 70% of the labor force in the public relations industry.

03.

Women make up 30% of C-suite executives

Despite women making up a majority of the workforce, they only account for 30% of executives in the industry.

04.

Clients are demanding diverse PR agencies

Clients of PR services are beginning to demand that their PR agency partners have diverse teams and champion diversity.

05.

Diversity and inclusion are to go together

Beyond having staff from diverse backgrounds, companies must also create cultures that accommodate the diversity they bring in.