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. Please contact Sarah Truby, director of development, at sarah.truby@unlv.edu with any questions.

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.

  • Undergraduate student in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
  • Minimum 2.0 UNLV GPA
  • Earned 100 or more credits by the end of this semester
  • Enrolled in at least 3 credits in Fall 2024 semester
  • Projected Graduation Term: Spring 2025

Monday, December 2, 2024 AT 5 PM

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Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Alumni Chapter Scholarships

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.

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

This page will be updated when the scholarship is available again in 2025.

Apply Now

Department of Communication Studies Awards

Outstanding Student Creative Communication Award

The Outstanding Student Creative Communication Award recognizes creative projects (websites, presentations, podcasts, etc.) completed by undergraduate students in the Department of Communication Studies. Faculty members can nominate students who have created exceptional projects, or students may self submit their own projects for consideration.

  • COM Lab Coach of the Year Award

  • David Henry Outstanding Student Writing Award

  • Misti Yang Outstanding Research Award

    • Graduate student award

  • Outstanding Community Leadership Award

    • Graduate student award

  • Outstanding Teaching Award

    • Graduate Student

  • UNLV Debate Team Scholarship

    • Student must be a member of the debate team.

  • Richard and Rebecca Kimbrough Endowed Scholarship

    •  Student must be a member of the debate team.

 

  • Must be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the Department of Communication Studies
  • Projects must exhibit the following characteristics:
    • Rigorously created: Based on communication theory or research
    • Professional and polished: High-quality, accurate work that communicates well
    • Creative and innovative: Not formulaic, but creative and reflective of personal insights
  • Nominations must be submitted by faculty members or self submitted by students
    • Faculty members can upload multiple projects but should consider the overall quality across their courses and nominate only the "best" projects for consideration.
    • Students who submit nominations on behalf of themselves must provide a copy of the assignment instructions and rubric. Projects must also be improved based on your instructor’s feedback before submitting them through the application form.

This page will be updated when the scholarship is available again in 2025.

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Communication Rising Star Award

The Communication Rising Star Award recognizes two students (a rising first-year student with under 30 credits and a rising second-year student with under 60 credits) in the Department of Communication for the academic year. Faculty members can nominate rising students, or students may self submit their own nominations.

  • Must be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the Department of Communication Studies
  • Must have under 30 credits to be considered a first-year and under 60 credits to be considered a second-year
  • Must demonstrate excellent academic performance through grades, completed projects, and assessments of in-class performance
  • Must be involved within the Communication major, UNLV community, or greater community
  • Faculty members must submit a letter of recommendation for each student. Self-nominated students must submit a one-page letter of interest and a resume.

This page will be updated when the scholarship is available again in 2025.

Apply Now

The Rising Star Award

Two awards given

This award recognizes first and second-year (under 60 credits) standing COM majors who are contributing both in and outside of the classroom.

This award will be offered to up to two students in each standing ([First Year / under 30 credits] AND [Second Year / under 60 credits]) per year. This award comes with a $500 scholarship.

  • COM Majors with under 60 credits (freshman or sophomore status)
  • Excellent academic performance as demonstrated through grades, projects completed, and assessments of in-class performance.
  • Involvement within the COM major, UNLV community, or greater community.
  • Students can self-nominate or be nominated by professors.
  • Submit a resume.
  • Students submit a 1-page letter of interest explaining why they deserve the award OR professors submit a 1-page nominating letter on the student’s behalf.
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The Outstanding 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. The award is given on a calendar year basis (e.g., Spring-Fall 2024). Faculty may nominate projects or students may self-nominate.

  • Must be a COM major
  • Submit a final project from a COM class that is creative--not a paper (e.g., podcast, website, final presentation).
  • Rigorously created: The project is based on communication theory or research.
  • Professional & polished: The final project is of high quality, accurate, and communicates well.
  • Creativity/innovation: The project is not formulaic, but is creative, and shows personal insights.
  • Submit the project and the grading rubric for the project.
  • Students or professors can nominate projects.
Apply Now

The David Henry Writing Award

This award is given to a student who writes an outstanding paper in a COM class. The award is given on a calendar year basis (e.g., Spring-Fall 2024). 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

The Misti Yang Outstanding Research Award

Students’ 1-2 page nomination letter should highlight their excellence in research, broadly defined. Students should discuss their research interests, trajectory, guiding questions, theories, and methods, and provide evidence of research products and outputs. For example, students may discuss the quality of their culminating project, presentations at conferences, participation in campus research events (such as 3 Minute Thesis and the Greenspun Symposium), submitting research for publications (scholarly or public-facing), collaboration with faculty on research, and any other research-related experiences or products.

The 5 pages of supplemental materials can include but are not limited to:

  • 1 paragraph statement of support from a faculty member collaborator or advisor
  • copies of conference or publication submission and/or acceptance
  • Google Drive links to copies of culminating project chapters, course papers, and/or research products
  • evidence of participation/acceptance in on-campus research symposiums
  • copies of research posters, slides, or other research products

Graduate Award for Outstanding Teaching

Students’ 1-2 page nomination letter should highlight their excellence in teaching. Students should address their creativity and use of innovative classroom activities, their willingness to help students, the basic course director, and other instructors, any training or certifications completed related to teaching, their engaging presence in the classroom, and involvement in pedagogical research and development. The committee will also review students’ classroom observation documents provided by the basic course director.

The 5 pages of supplemental materials can include but are not limited to:

  • 1 paragraph statement of support from instructor or basic course director
  • letters of support from students
  • peer observation letters
  • materials created for the classroom
  • copies of certifications or evidence of completed trainings

Graduate Award for Community Leadership

Students’ 1-2 page nomination letter should highlight their participation in community leadership, broadly defined. Students should discuss engagement at the department, college, university, and/or local community. For example, students may discuss leadership roles in the department or on/off campus, student organization work, advocacy initiatives, community-engaged research or programs, event planning, volunteering, advocating and recruiting for the COM department, and supporting department initiatives such as the COM lab and the Public Communication Initiative.

The 5 pages of supplemental materials can include but is not limited to:

  • 1 paragraph statement of support from instructor, COM advisor, or student organization advisor
  • letters of support from peers, student organization members, community partners, etc.
  • materials, fliers, and other documents developed for student organizations or community groups
  • position descriptions for leadership roles held
  • media or event coverage

COMLab Coach of the Year

This award is given to a student who has worked in the COMLab, helping students prepare for public speaking assignments. COMLab coaches help to ease nerves, gain confidence, improve arguments and delivery. The award is given to the coach who received the highest rating from COMLab attendees over the last academic year.

Award submissions due March 7, 2025. Email Rebecca.Rice@UNLV.edu with any questions.

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Scholarships

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.

  • Alicia Karau Memorial Scholarship
    • This scholarship will be awarded to a Nevada resident 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.
  • 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 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 first generation students. 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 with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

 

Scholarship applications are open annually from February 1-28. If you have any questions contact JMS Scholarship Committee Chair, Dave Nourse.

 

Apply Now

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. This page will be updated when the scholarship is available again in 2025.

Scholarships

Dan Riley Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes a junior (going into senior year) who has displayed academic excellence.

Felipe Ortiz Scholarship in Criminal Justice

This scholarship is for underrepresented undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Applications are currently closed.

Jay Hahn Law Enforcement Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes a sophomore (going into junior year) who has displayed academic excellence.

Criminal Justice Scholarship

This scholarship honors students majoring in criminal justice. Some of the students eligible for this scholarship includes a graduate student who has displayed outstanding academic performance during graduate studies, as well as a graduate student who has engaged in exceptional research.

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.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has displayed outstanding academic performance during graduate studies.

School of Social Work

  • Best Student for BSW, and MSW Concentrations
  • Nevada Public Health Foundation Scholarship
    • This scholarship is available for undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must be Nevada residents, and can be full or part time. Preference is given to students with an interest in gerontology, and who have shown leadership during their practicum or engagement with student organizations.

School of Public Policy and Leadership

  • Best MPA Capstone award

    • Non-monetary

  • The Community Impact Award

    • Non-monetary
  • Environmental and Public Affairs Scholarship
    • This scholarship is intended to provide financial support to full-time students with an interest in environmental studies.
  • Graduate Teaching Award
    • Non-monetary
  • Hilary Haines Bockstanz Scholarship
    • This scholarship is for a student (undergraduate or graduate) in public administration. Undergraduate applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, while graduate applicants should have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Students can be full or part time, and should be Nevada residents.
  • Infinity World Development Scholarship
    • The Infinity World Development Scholarship was established to provide financial support for full time students (undergraduate or graduate) seeking a degree in Urban Studies. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and preference is given to students interested in sustainability in arid urban environments.
  • James E. Deacon Scholarship
    • James E. and Mary Dale Deacon have created this scholarship to benefit students pursuing minors, majors, or advanced degrees in Environmental Studies.
  • 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 students (undergraduate or graduate) who are majoring in Public Administration. Student must be a Nevada resident.
  • The Policy Impact Award (Doctor of Public Policy Award)
    • non-monetary