Who is Eligible
Any high school senior from the four counties in western Massachusetts, who has applied to college and is committed to pursuing journalism as their academic major or minor. Areas of journalism focus can including news, sports, investigative, photojournalism, social media, features, health, and entertainment.
How to Apply
Start by downloading the Scholarship Application, Checklist and Guide here, and discuss the process with your school guidance counselor. If you have questions after reading the application, email Noreen Tassenari at ntassinari@thebige.com for clarification.
Deadlines
Scholarship applications can be submitted anytime after January 15, but must be postmarked by April 1. Scholarship recipients are selected in May and the awards ceremony is held in June. Be sure your application is complete. Review the application "check-list" one more time!
Change the World
Deception, greed, abuse of power, and all forms of injustice, can only be challenged by exposing the truth. That is what journalists do. Journalism is a noble and rewarding profession. “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press." Thomas Jefferson 1786. Change your world!
Recent Scholarship Recipients
2018
L-R: Hailey MacDonald -22News Scholarship, Rory Tettemer - Albert Jaffe Scholarship, Martin Keane -Valley Press Club Scholarship, Skylar Case - Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship, Levi Civjan - Ed Malley Scholarship, Audrey Gamble - The Republican Scholarship
“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
— Voltaire
2017
L-R: Xuan Truong -Valley Press Club Scholarship, Melissa Nieve-Torres -22News Scholarship, Hayley Procon - Albert Jaffe Scholarship, Janey Beardsley - The Republican Scholarship
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
2016
L-R: Melanie Kos - The Republican Scholarship, Leighanne Sullivan - 22News Scholarship, Cienna Hiersche - Valley Press Club Scholarship, Calvin Filson - Albert Jaffe Scholarship
“I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.”
— Tom Stoppard