The scholarship offers awards to residents of Ocean State Media’s demographic market area who demonstrate promise of a successful career in the fields of journalism and/or media.

Scholarship Award Details

Established by Rhode Island PBS in 2017, the Ocean State Media Scholarship offers awards to residents of the station’s demographic market area who demonstrate promise of a successful career in the fields of journalism and/or media. Awards of up to $15,000 will be awarded annually and are renewable for an additional three years.

The application opens in January each year and must be submitted along with all required documents by the deadline below to be considered. Ocean State Media has partnered with the Rhode Island Foundation, and an advisory committee will evaluate the applications and select the recipients considering the application materials provided.  

Scholarship Criteria

• Completion of the Universal Application, which may include essays, transcripts, a résumé worksheet, letter of recommendation from a teacher or professional who can attest to the applicant’s merit in pursuing a successful career in journalism and/or media, a work sample – such as writing, video, audio, photography, or another creative example, and other supporting documents.
• Resident of Rhode Island or Bristol County, Massachusetts
• A graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited 4-year post-secondary school, or a student currently enrolled in an accredited 4-year post-secondary institution
• Demonstration of financial need and how this scholarship will make a meaningful difference in their educational plans  
• Exhibit merit toward a successful career in journalism and/or media
• Current employees of Ocean State Media, their children, and other immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
• Award: up to $15,000; past recipients are eligible to reapply

Deadline and Application Process

Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 13, 2026 

Students must apply through the Rhode Island Foundation’s secure online scholarship platform.