Graduate Funding

A graduate degree is one of the most important investments you can make. Although tuition varies for each of our six graduate programs, financial aid is available for qualified students. Our programs are all eligible for the G.I. Bill and some other federal financial aid programs.

Cost of attendance is the estimated cost to attend the UO for the academic year. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for cost of attendance information that goes beyond tuition and fees, and includes: living expenses (housing and food), books/supplies/equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.


Fully Funded PhD

If you’re admitted to our Communication and Media Studies Doctoral program, the SOJC provides four years of graduate employment funding that covers your entire tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to offset the costs of living.

$2,185

Monthly Stipend

16 Hours/Week

Teaching and/or Research Work

$61/Term

Typical Student Fees


Graduate Employment in Eugene

Applicants for admission to the Communication and Media Studies PhD and master’s programs are automatically considered for graduate employee (GE) funding. PhD students receive up to four years of consecutive GE funding, and master’s students receive a maximum of two years of funding. GE appointments come with a tuition waiver, partial student fee waiver, monthly stipend, and health insurance plan. GE positions usually are not available for our professional master’s students except under unusual circumstances.


Travel and Research Awards

The SOJC awards some graduate research and travel funding for thesis/dissertation-related travel, travel to conferences to present papers, and other research-related expenses. The Graduate Affairs Committee decides how to allocate these limited funds based on the type of presentation, type of organization or meeting, seniority of the student, and number of requests. If you wish to apply for funds, submit the Travel and Research Fund Request Forms before your travel or research begins.


Scholarships for Graduate Students

The SOJC offers the scholarships below to graduate students who qualify:

The Anderson Family Graduate Fellowship Fund

This fund provides fellowship awards to one or more graduate students in the SOJC. The awards may be used to assist students with all expenses related to attending the university, such as tuition, fees, books, room and board stipends, travel, research, miscellaneous materials, and supplies.

Criteria: Preference is given to students specializing in the study of the professional ethics of journalism.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV, a one-page statement explaining how your work addresses journalism ethics, and the names of two to three faculty members who can speak about your suitability for this award.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Lorry I. Lokey Journalism Scholarship

The Lokey Scholarship was established in 2007 through the generosity of Oregonian Lorry I. Lokey, founder of Business Wire, an international media relations company. Lokey is a 1949 Stanford University graduate and a University of Oregon Foundation trustee. The scholarship program provides awards of up to $10,000 to the Lorry I. Lokey Journalism Scholars Program—a program to raise the national and international profile of the SOJC, attract the best and brightest young minds to the UO, and be a catalyst for developing outstanding future leaders for the journalism and communication industry. A portion of the fund can be used to promote and administer the Lokey Journalism Scholars Program to help ensure it has the highest level of impact for both the scholars and the University of Oregon.

Criteria: Graduate student Lokey scholars are selected in recognition of their outstanding scholarly achievements and to provide added support during the dissertation year. Up to two recipients are selected primarily based on their scholarly record and demonstrated potential for research, as indicated by their work in classes, conference presentation, and publication. Only Ph.D. students who have approved dissertation proposals and have advanced to candidacy are eligible for consideration. Teaching and service in the SOJC are additionally weighed, though the primary criterion is research, both accomplishments and potential. Selection of the scholar(s) is made by the Graduate Affairs Committee, which may choose not to award in a given year, depending on student eligibility, strength of research, other considerations and contributions, and funds available.

How to apply: Submit the following via the online Lokey Scholarship application:

  1. Confirmation from your advisor that you have (or will have) passed comps, held a proposal meeting, and will advance to candidacy by the end of the spring term
  2. Current curriculum vitae
  3. Short (1- to 2-page) research statement outlining your interests, accomplishments, and goals
  4. Short (150-word) abstract of your dissertation proposal, including full working title and names of committee members
  5. Single-authored writing sample (30 pages or less), which can be a paper from a class, a conference paper, or a publication

Deadline: March 1, 2024

The Charles and Eiko Politz Fund for a Graduate Scholarship in Journalistic Writing

This scholarship provides scholarship support for up to two graduate students pursuing studies in journalistic writing.

Criteria: The recipient(s) of this scholarship must be graduate students in the SOJC who are pursuing studies in journalistic writing.

How to apply: Submit the following via the online application:

  1. Current resumé or curriculum vitae
  2. Two writing samples:
    • Short piece (500–750 words) on current news
    • Feature story (750–2,500 words), such as a human-interest, profile, seasonal-theme, or behind-the-scenes article

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Civic and Watchdog Journalism Scholarship

The Civic and Watchdog Journalism Scholarship provides support to SOJC graduate students whose work has demonstrated a commitment to, and outstanding achievement in, civic and watchdog journalism.

Criteria: Special consideration is given to applicants whose work demonstrates the importance of explaining the complexities of issues, challenging conventional wisdom, holding institutions and leaders accountable, and listening to the voices of those often ignored in the community. The student’s work should show a commitment to protecting civic values such as fairness, justice, equal access, public and health safety, and the public treasury.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV, a writing sample, and a one-page statement explaining how your work is concerned with civic and watchdog journalism.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Emerging Leader Award—Multimedia Journalism Master's

The Emerging Leader Award provides scholarship support in varying values from $1,000 to $2,000 for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in multimedia journalism at the UO.

Criteria: In addition to writing a high-quality response to the essay prompt below, ideal candidates will have a compelling portfolio that demonstrates communication and storytelling acuity. If they are existing students, additional consideration will be given if they are engaged in their coursework, meaningfully contribute to class discussions, and demonstrate leadership skills.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a 500- to 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: How would you use the multimedia skills learned in our program to make a difference, and how would this scholarship help you reach your goals?

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Emerging Leader Award—Strategic Communication Master's

The Emerging Leader Award provides scholarship support in varying values from $1,000 to $2,000 for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication at the UO.

Criteria: In addition to writing a high-quality response to the essay prompt below, ideal candidates will have a compelling portfolio that demonstrates communication and storytelling acuity. If they are existing students, additional consideration will be given if they are engaged in their coursework, meaningfully contribute to class discussions, and demonstrate leadership skills.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a 500-1,000 word essay responding to the following prompt: In an era of unprecedented disruption in the way individuals and organizations communicate, what issues would you like to better understand and as a result become a leader in the field? What experiences would you bring to our program that guide you in that journey and how would this scholarship help you reach your goals?

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Warren C. Price Memorial Fund

The Warren C. Price Memorial Fund was established in 1967 in honor of this “one-of-a-kind” SOJC professor. During his time at the SOJC, Price was the editor of Journalism Quarterly and twice served as acting dean of the school.

Criteria: UO student who has demonstrated excellence in writing in the field of journalistic history.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV and a writing sample that demonstrates excellence in the writing of journalistic history.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Franco Reis Graduate International Scholarship

The Franco Reis Graduate International Scholarship provides support up to $2,375 for international graduate students enrolled at the SOJC at the University of Oregon. The scholarship(s) may be used to assist students with all standard educational expenses including tuition, fees, books, miscellaneous supplies, room, board, stipends, and research costs.

Criteria: International graduate students enrolled in the SOJC who have demonstrated academic merit, as determined by the scholarship committee.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a statement of 500 words explaining how this award would support your graduate studies.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

The Rafi And Zoreh Scholarship

Created by Hassan Rafi-Zadeh (MA ’69) and Zohreh Sotoodeh in 2019, this scholarship supports SOJC graduate and undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, especially international students.

Criteria: Demonstrated financial need, preference given to international students

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV or resume and a statement of up to 500 words explaining your financial need and detailing how this scholarship would support your graduate studies.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship

The purpose of the Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship is to provide financial incentives for master’s or PhD students to attend and or complete a SOJC graduate program.

Criteria: Preference given to students whose work is in journalism and news media.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current resume/CV and a 500-1,000 word essay responding to the following prompt: How would you use the Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship to attend or complete your graduate program, and how does your work involve journalism and/or news media?

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Glenn Starlin Endowed Fellowship in Telecommunication and Theatre Arts

The Starlin Fellowship is a $1,000 award given to a “worthy student engaged in graduate study toward a master’s or doctoral degree in telecommunication issues and related research in the School of Journalism and Communication.”

Criteria: Only currently enrolled students are eligible to apply for this award. Strong consideration is given to scholarship and career potential, with a desire to also support dissertation research when possible.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV or resume, a one-page statement explaining how your work is concerned with telecommunication issues and related research, and the names of 2 to 3 faculty members who could speak to your suitability for this award.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Questions?

If you have questions about your eligibility or the application process for scholarships or other graduate funding, contact Amy Boutell, our director of graduate affairs and student experience.