College of Communications
These scholarships present a selection of those established through the generosity of alumni, faculty and community supporters to assist students in the completion of programs offered by the College of Communications. In addition, College of Communications majors and minors can apply for a wide range of scholarships and awards offered by a host of outside private organizations and professional societies. Additional university scholarships and awards can be found online at
Scholarships
Please read all instructions for each scholarship and pay attention to the deadline, as well as details for required statements, letters of recommendation or other materials. There are variations in the application procedures and requirements for each scholarship. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.
Note: For all scholarships, the notification process does not include a notification to all applicants but only to the selected recipient of the scholarship. The expected date of notification is by the end of May.
Department of Communications
All Department of Communications scholarship recipients must write and send a thank-you letter to the donor. Templates for these letters will be provided. Recipients also will be required to submit a 50- to 100-word bio and professional-style headshot to be used in college or department newsletters, social media or other material publicizing scholarship winners.
Robert E. Rayfield Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: Ann Rayfield in honor of her husband Robert “Bob” Rayfield, emeritus professor of communications. Rayfield joined the campus as a part-time lecturer in 1983 and in a year became a full- time faculty member in the Communications Department. The purpose of the gift will be to provide annual funding of $1,000 to support the public relations students.
Open to: This scholarship is open to students who are in the College of Communications
with a major in Public Relations.
Criteria: Must be a full-time student in good academic standing.
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left-hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STAE
UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Include a description of any hardship or challenges in the question portion of the online application which are relevant to this scholarship; and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Terry Hynes Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,000 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship was endowed by Terry Hynes, former chair of CSUF’s Department of Communications and currently assistant vice president of the Office of University Relations at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Open to: This scholarship is open to Communication majors who will be seniors with at least one semester enrollment remaining at Cal State Fullerton.
Criteria: Outstanding academic performance ♦ Contributions to the communications department
Application Procedure: 1) Complete the SA application, available at Forms; and
2) Submit application materials to the Communications Department Office, CP-400.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5 pm
IAAPA Foundation/Themed Advisors LLC Scholarship
Amount: Two $2,500 Scholarships
Established by: The IAAPA Foundation/Themed Advisors LLC scholarship was established by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Foundation to support undergraduate students who are focused on a career in the attractions industry.
Open to: Full-time undergraduate students in the Department of Communications or other
CSUF students with a demonstrated career interest in the attractions industry.
Criteria: Academic achievement (2.85+ GPA) ♦ financial need
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) include a 300 word statement describing experiences and goals relating to the attractions industry in the question portion of the online application; and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Myles Atlas Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was endowed by Rhonda Atlas Garside, widow of Myles Atlas, in memory of her husband’s long and successful career in the advertising business.
Open to: This scholarship is open to sophomore, junior, or senior Communications majors in the advertising concentration. Criteria: Career interest in advertising management or media buying
Application Procedure: 1) Complete the SA application, available at http://www.fullerton.edu/financialaid/_resources/pdf/scholarships/Application.pdf ; and
2) Submit application materials to the Communications Department Office, CP-400.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5 pm
James Alexander Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,500 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship was established and funded by Professor Emeritus James Alexander to recognize and honor students who have demonstrated strong academic performance and been actively involved in their high school newspaper, yearbook or magazine production. Applicants are required to write a 225-word essay describing their high school writing experience and their career goals as well as providing a sample of a published story, article or photo from a high school publication.
Open to: This scholarship is open to freshman and sophomore students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree from the Department of Communications.
Criteria: 2.85 GPA ♦ Full-time ♦ Quality of writing sample
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Provide one letter of recommendation from a high school faculty member; 3) Write a short essay describing your high school writing experience and your career goals; 4) Attach a sample of your work that has been published; and 5) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Jay Berman Daily Titan Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,000 Scholarships
Established by: This endowed scholarship was established by former students, family and friends of Jay Berman, Daily Titan adviser from 1981 to 1992, to recognize a student journalist who has made significant contributions to the Daily Titan. The scholarship will be awarded based on outstanding performance and writing for the Daily Titan campus student newspaper.
Open to: This scholarship is open to junior or senior communication majors with at least one semester enrollment remaining at Cal State Fullerton.
Criteria: 2.5 GPA ♦ Quality of published work
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Attach at least one example of your published work from the Daily Titan; 3) Submit a letter of reference from the adviser of the Daily Titan; and 4) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
COMM Titan Shops/Titan Bookstore Scholarship
Amount: $500 (two awards dependent upon funding)
Established by: These scholarships are donated by the Titan Requisition Rewards Program of Titan Shops/Titan Bookstore.
Open to: This scholarship is open to communications majors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Criteria: Good academic standing ♦ financial need ♦ personal statement
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Provide one letter of recommendation from a CSUF faculty or staff member; 3) In your personal statement address your interest in pursuing a degree in communications and your financial need; and 4) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Chris Dufresne Sports Journalism Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established in memory of Chris Dufresne, sports
journalist, 1981 College of Communications alumnus, and Department of Communications Wall of Fame honoree. A recognized and respected Los Angeles Times sportswriter for 35 years, he was their national college football and basketball columnist from 1995 to 2015. He also covered pro football, Olympic skiing, golf, etc., won multiple awards and was named the 2011 California Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (now NSMA). Chris continued to give back to his alma mater throughout his career by mentoring students who shared his passion for sports and its connection to the human condition.
Open to: This scholarship is open to undergraduate communications students interested in a career in sports journalism. Criteria: GPA of 3.0 or above ♦ Financial Need
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Provide a statement of your career goals and why you are pursuing sports journalism; and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Echeveste Family Scholarship
Amount: $1,000 Established by: The purpose of the gift will be to provide annual funding of $1,000 to support the Echeveste Family Scholarship in the College of Communications.
Open to: This scholarship is open to students who are pursuing a Communications major with a concentration in Public Relations or Journalism. Special consideration given to students who participate in the Latino Communications Institute.
Criteria: 3.0 GPA Overall ♦ Full-time enrollment ♦ financial need
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Gary Granville Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,000 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship was established by former students, family and friends of the late Gary Granville, lecturer and Daily Titan adviser, to recognize a student who has made significant contributions to the Daily Titan. The scholarship will be awarded based on outstanding performance as an editor or as a staff reporter on the Daily Titan campus student newspaper.
Open to: This scholarship is open to junior or senior communication majors with at least one semester enrollment remaining at Cal State Fullerton.
Criteria: 2.5 GPA ♦ quality of published work
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Attach at least one example of your published work from the Daily Titan; 3) Submit a letter of reference from the adviser of the Daily Titan; and 4) Do not submit application until all required documents have been
uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Ingrid and Jordan Smart Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,000 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship is named for Latino Communications Institute Founding Partner Ingrid Otero Smart and alumnus Jordan Smart ’18 to support students interested in pursuing a career in multicultural advertising.
Open to: This scholarship is open to students who are pursuing a communications major with a concentration in advertising or public relations. Students must also participate in the Latino Communications Institute.
Criteria: 2.5 GPA overall ♦ continuing studies ♦ currently enrolled at CSUF Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) In your personal statement write about your career goals in advertising or public relations; and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Alfred and Louise Hewitt Journalism Fund
Amount: Up to $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established by Mr. Stephen Hewitt in memory of his parents, Alfred and Louise Hewitt. Mr. Alfred Hewitt was passionate about journalism and this scholarship will celebrate his witty journalistic soul. In the tradition of his humor and teaching style, this scholarship is being established in his name to honor students who carry on his writing style and approach to journalism.
Open to: This scholarship is open to undergraduate students majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism.
Criteria: 3.25 GPA ♦ Financial need ♦ excellent journalistic writing skills with an open-minded viewpoint ♦ dedicated to the journalism profession ♦ high ethical standards ♦ leadership skills
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Terry Hynes Scholarship
Amount: Two $2,000 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship was endowed by Terry Hynes, former chair of CSUF’s Department
of Communications and dean emerita at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
Open to: This scholarship is open to communications majors who will be seniors with at least
one semester enrollment remaining at Cal State Fullerton.
Criteria: Outstanding academic performance ♦ contributions to the Communications Department
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
David Little Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established to recognize and honor students with good academic credentials who are in need of financial assistance.
Open to: This scholarship is open to enrolled students interested in a career in advertising management or media buying.
Criteria: Academic achievement ♦ financial need
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
V.J. Lovero Photojournalism Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established and funded by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to assist in educating students who have demonstrated career promise in photography. The scholarship honors the memory of renowned sports photographer V.J. Lovero. Applicants must be enrolled for at least one semester during the next academic year and they must demonstrate professional promise.
Open to: This scholarship is open to new and continuing communications majors with a career
interest in photography.
Criteria: Quality of portfolio
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Submit a link to an online portfolio of 10 images that includes sports and portrait photography, and demonstrates your passion for a specific subject, sports or otherwise; and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Miven Venture Partners
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established by the Tsao Family Foundation and Miven Venture Partners to support students in need of financial assistance. Applicants must prepare a two-part project (can be from a class project) consisting of: 1) 60% articulating brand strategy, and 2) 40% to communicate the tag line. Selection will be based on what is distinctive or unique about the project and how well the reader understands the conceptualization of the brand. Other consideration is how well the tag line is promoted aside from an ad campaign.
Open to: This scholarship is open to undergraduate students majoring in communications with a concentration in advertising.
Criteria: 2.0 GPA ♦ financial need ♦ full-time ♦ project
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Prepare a two-part sample project (fictional or real) and 3) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Tom Pasqua Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established in memory of Tom Pasqua, a journalism professor at Southwestern College in Chula Vista and in the Cal State Fullerton Communications Department during the 1970s.
Open to: This scholarship is open to community college transfer students with a concentration in journalism.
Criteria: 2.75 GPA ♦ good academic credentials ♦ demonstrated record of involvement in journalism activities
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
The Society of Professional Journalists Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was endowed by the Orange County Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Open to: This scholarship is open to sophomore or junior communication majors in print, visual or broadcast journalism who are pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Criteria: Academic achievement ♦ experience in journalism activities
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Barbara K. Rickard-Riegle Broadcast Journalism Fund
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship is named for Barbara K. Rickard-Riegle in her memory, to support the efforts of students who need financial assistance who are majoring in journalism with a career interest in broadcast journalism.
Open to: This scholarship is open to new and continuing communications students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism with a career interest in broadcast journalism. Must be a citizen of the United States.
Criteria: Full-Time enrollment ♦ 3.25 GPA ♦ financial need ♦ excellent journalism skills
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Provide two letters of recommendation from CSUF faculty/staff; 3) Write an essay or personal statement of achievement; and 4) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
John Stewart Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Three $1,500 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship honors the memory of John Stewart and supports the efforts of students who are in need of financial assistance. John Stewart, an outstanding journalist, died of cancer at a young age.
Open to: This scholarship is open to junior or senior communications majors in the journalism concentration who are pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Criteria: Academic achievement ♦ experience in journalism activities ♦ financial need ♦ plans to pursue journalism as a career
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Edgar P. Trotter Scholarship
Amount: Two $1,000 Scholarships
Established by: This scholarship is named for Professor Edgar P. Trotter, chair of the Communications Department from 1983 to 1990, in recognition of his strong support of students and their educational needs. Open to: This scholarship is open to sophomore, junior, or senior communication majors who are
pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Criteria: Academic achievement ♦ Financial need
Application Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; and 2) Do not submit application until
all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
Vikki Vargas/NBC4 Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Established by: This scholarship was established by Vikki Vargas and NBC4 Southern California to recognize and honor a student in broadcast journalism who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance. This scholarship is funded by Vikki Vargas and NBC4 to assist students in meeting educational expenses.
Open to: This scholarship is open to new and continuing students in journalism with an interest
in broadcast news who are pursuing an undergraduate or a graduate degree.
Criteria: 3.0 GPA ♦ good academic standing ♦ financial need ♦ extracurricular activities community service activities ♦ leadership activities ♦ one-page essay or personal statementApplication Procedure: 1) Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” app on the left hand side. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2025-2026; 2) Provide two letters of recommendation from CSUF or community college or high school faculty/staff; 3) Write an essay or personal statement of achievement that discusses what you see as the future of journalism; and 4) Do not submit application until all required documents have been uploaded.
Application Deadline: March 1 by 5pm
