Scholarships and Awards
The UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs has received generous funding from donors and the community to create scholarships available to to undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship opportunities are available to all students, and by department.
Please note not all awards below include funding opportunities. Check with your department for more information.
Information about scholarships will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
CSUN/GCUA Continuing Education Grant
The Continuing Education Grant from UNLV's CSUN Student Government and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs will be awarded to graduating seniors who are facing financial hardships or barriers that may affect their ability to complete remaining coursework.
Award Amounts: Funds are limited and can only be used to assist with tuition and fees. Funds will be directly applied to a student's account and will not exceed the amount owed to UNLV.
Email Jennifer Ross, jennifer.ross@unlv.edu, with questions.
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Alumni Chapter Scholarship
5 for 5 Scholarship
The 5 for 5 Scholarship is available for undergraduate students currently enrolled in one of the five departments or schools housed in the College of Urban Affairs. Five scholarships of $500 scholarships each will be awarded to five total undergraduate students.
The scholarship deadline is February 27, 2026 no later than 5 p.m. Please contact Afsha.Bawany@unlv.edu with any questions.
The 5 for 5 Scholarship is available for undergraduate students currently enrolled in one of the five departments or schools housed in the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. Graduating seniors may not apply. Eligible students must be current and active full-time enrollment for Fall 2026 and Fall 2027 at UNLV's Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.
The scholarship will first be applied to any tuition balance the student may have for the 2026-2027 school year.
Five scholarships of $500 scholarships each will be awarded to 5 total undergraduate students from the college's 5 departments:
You must be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the following departments/schools:
- Department of Communication Studies
- Department of Criminal Justice
- Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies
- School of Public Policy and Leadership (Urban Studies)
- School of Social Work
Department of Communication Studies
Monetary Awards
The Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award is given to two communication studies majors with under 60 credits (first and second year students). Each student will receive $500.
Eligibility:
- Excellent academic performance
- Involvement within the communication studies major, UNLV community, or greater community.
Applications are due February 27, 2026
Non-Monetary Awards
The David Henry Writing Award
This award is given to a student who writes an outstanding paper in a COM class. Papers are nominated by Communication faculty and are judged on the following criteria:
- Conference acceptance quality
- The paper’s writing quality is strong enough to be accepted to a student division at a regional or national conference
- Readability/enjoyability
- The paper is fun and enjoyable to read and clearly expresses its argument
- Creativity/innovation
- The paper is not formulaic, but is creative, innovative, and shows personal insight
Outstanding Student Creative Communication Project Award
This award is given to a student who completes an outstanding project in a communication class. The award is meant to recognize creative assignments that do not take the form of a paper. Examples may include presentations, videos, and podcasts. Faculty may nominate projects or students may self-nominate.
Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies
The School of Journalism and Media Studies awards over $20,000 in scholarships every year ranging from $500 to $2,500. We are grateful for our many donors and the scholarship opportunities they make available for our students.
The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026 to be considered for disbursement in the 2026-2027 fall and spring semesters. There is one form to apply for the scholarships.
Contact the scholarship committee chair, with questions, at Todd.witcher@unlv.edu.
Scholarships
- Alicia Karau Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to a Nevada resident who is a Journalism and Media Studies major with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
- Barbara Cloud Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship is open to students majoring in journalism and media studies.
- Dorothy Mae Freischel Journalism Scholarship
- This scholarship is available to a full time student with a minimum 2.7 GPA.
- Hank Greenspun School of Journalism Scholarship
- Hank Kovell Scholarship
- This scholarship requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given towards a student with interest in print journalism.
- Jacques G. Francoeur Scholarship Fund
- This scholarship is available to a full time student who is a Nevada resident with a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students with a declared major in Journalism and Media Studies.
- Maury Stevens Memorial Scholarship
- The Maury Stevens Memorial Scholarship is for a full- time student.
- Michael Zigler Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship is for a full-time journalism and media Studies student with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Ned Day Scholarship
- The purpose of the Ned Day Memorial Scholarship is to continue the tradition of solid journalism, unbiased reporting, and unwavering support of the First Amendment and the responsibilities of the free press.
- Polly Gonzales Memorial Scholarship
- The purpose of the Polly Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial support to students at the sophomore level and above pursuing a degree in journalism. Preference is given to a Hispanic student who has one or more parent without a college degree, or a student who has received this award previously. Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Ruthe V. Deskin Memorial Scholarship
- The Ruth Deskin Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to students who are majoring in journalism and media studies and have an interest in print journalism. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and can be full or part time.
- Tony Ferri Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to a full or part time Nevada resident who has been admitted into the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- The A-Mark Journalism Master’s Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing a master’s degree in journalism with a focus on news, investigative, accountability, solutions, or other related forms of public interest journalism. Students pursuing tracks/a focus in sports journalism, public relations, or general communications are not eligible.
Department of Criminal Justice Awards
The Department of Criminal Justice offers a number of scholarships and non-monetary awards to their undergraduate and graduate students. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2026 to be considered for for disbursement in the 2026-2027 fall and spring semesters. There is one form to apply for the scholarships.
Contact Joshua Donnelly, the scholarship committee chair, with questions at joshua.donnelly@unlv.edu.
Scholarships
Dan Riley Scholarship
The Dan Riley Scholarship is for one or more outstanding undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice at UNLV who are entering their senior year. This scholarship will be awarded to students who have displayed excellent academic accomplishments. The award will be for the 2026 fall and 2027 spring semesters.
All applications must include a resume and personal statement. All applicants must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and must be a full time student.
Jay Hahn Law Enforcement Scholarship
The Jay Hahn Law Enforcement Scholarship for one or more outstanding undergraduate students majoring in Criminal Justice at UNLV who are entering their junior year. This scholarship will be awarded to students who have displayed excellent academic accomplishments. The award will be for the following Fall and Spring semesters.
All applications must include a resume and personal statement. All applicants must be a full time criminal justice student with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Non-Monetary Awards
August Vollmer Award
This is a non-monetary award that recognizes a graduating senior who has worked in the field of criminal justice while attending UNLV. Please note, internships do not qualify.
School of Social Work
Please contact Chris.Stream@unlv.edu for scholarship-related questions.
School of Public Policy and Leadership
The deadline to apply for the following scholarships is February 27, 2026. Contact Milia Heen, the scholarship committee chair, with questions at sppl.awards@unlv.edu.
Scholarships
Infinity World Development Scholarship
The Infinity World Development Scholarship was established to provide financial support for full time undergraduate students seeking a degree in the School of Public Policy and Leadership.
James E. Deacon Scholarship
James E. and Mary Dale Deacon have created this scholarship to benefit students pursuing degrees in the School of Public Policy and Leadership, focusing on environmental and sustainability issues.
Hilary Haines Bockstanz
In memory of Hilary Haines Bockstanz, this scholarship provides financial support to a student seeking a degree in the School of Public Policy and Leadership.
Environmental and Public Affairs Scholarship
This scholarship is intended to provide financial support to full-time students with an interest in environmental studies.
Renewable Energy Program Scholarship
Gifted by NV Energy, this scholarship provides financial support to students studying or working in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy.
Pat Goodall Scholarship
Created to honor the memory of Leonard “Pat” Goodall, a past president of UNLV, this scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to graduate students who are majoring in Public Administration. Students must be a Nevada resident.
Hilary Haines Bockstanz
In memory of Hilary Haines Bockstanz, this scholarship provides financial support to a student seeking a degree in the School of Public Policy and Leadership.
Renewable Energy Program Scholarship
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award
This non-monetary award recognizes a graduate student who has shown exceptional commitment and effectiveness in teaching.
Outstanding MPA Capstone Award
This non-monetary award recognizes students in the Master of Public Administration program for an outstanding capstone project demonstrating strong analysis, applied evaluation, and relevance to public service.
Policy Impact Award
This non-monetary award recognizes a student whose capstone or doctoral project has contributed to meaningful policy impact by informing, shaping, or advancing public policy solutions.
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award
This non-monetary award recognizes a graduate student in the School of Public Policy and Leadership who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and effectiveness in teaching within the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.
Outstanding MPA Capstone Award
This non-monetary award recognizes students in the Master of Public Administration program for an outstanding capstone project demonstrating strong analysis, applied evaluation, and relevance to public service. Recipients are selected by the scholarship committee; no application is required.
Policy Impact Award
This non-monetary award recognizes a student whose capstone or doctoral project has contributed to meaningful policy impact by informing, shaping, or advancing public policy solutions. Recipients are selected by the scholarship committee; no application is required.