Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award

The scholarship award for the 2025-2026 academic year will provide up to $5,000 in tuition funding to an LGBTQ+ student who plans a career in journalism and is committed to furthering NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission of fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ+ community.

Who Can Apply
- Current or incoming undergrad students enrolled in a U.S. community college or four-year university. 

- Current or incoming graduate students enrolled in an accredited journalism or mass communications field.

Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in journalism, be able to demonstrate their passion and commitment to the profession. Selection will be based on journalistic and scholastic ability. Applicants also must demonstrate an awareness of the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of fair and accurate news coverage.

For undergraduates, a declared major in journalism and/or communications is desirable but not required. Non-journalism majors may demonstrate their commitment to a journalism career through work samples, internships, and work on a school news publication, online news service or broadcast affiliate. Graduate students must be enrolled in a journalism program. Applicants must be NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists members in good standing.