Fellowships, Scholarships, and Grants

Helen G. Michaels Scholarship. This scholarship derives from the interest on funds donated in memory of Helen G. Michaels by her family. Ms. Michaels, a graduate of one of the first classes at the school, was an educational media specialist. The scholarship is awarded to an academically talented person who shows professional excellence in the field of library and information studies; preference is given to students seeking degrees in educational media services. To be considered for this award, application to the M.L.I.S. program must be made by March 15.

H. Gilbert Kelley Scholarship. Established by H. Gilbert Kelley following his distinguished career at Rutgers University Library, Kelley Scholarships are awarded by the H. Gilbert Kelley Foundation and provide for tuition remission for M.L.I.S. students in the Department of Library and Information Science. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence and accomplishments. For more information, contact the Department of Library and Information Science. To be considered for this scholarship award, application to the M.L.I.S. program must be made by March 15.

Jane Torrence Minckler Memorial Fellowship. Established in memory of Jane Torrence Minckler, this endowed fellowship provides tuition and fees for a student in the Department of Library and Information Science. The recipient is chosen on the basis of need and/or academic excellence by appropriate administrators in the department. To be considered for this award, application to the M.L.I.S. program must be made by March 15.

M.C.I.S. Fellowship Program. The M.C.I.S. program offers multiple fellowship opportunities each year through the M.C.I.S. Fellowship Program, initiated in 1992 in collaboration with the Johnson & Johnson corporate headquarters in New Brunswick. Since 1992, more than 40 students have been awarded M.C.I.S. fellowships, with most of these students placed in corporate communications, corporate contributions, and corporate human relations at Johnson & Johnson. AT&T has also participated in this program in recent years.

Fellowships are open to students who present clear evidence of significant management and leadership potential, and are motivated to better understand the critical role of communication in contemporary professional practice. Evidence of highly developed analytic, interpersonal, and writing skills is mandatory for fellowship consideration. Recent undergraduates seeking admission must present clear evidence of significant promise for excellence in organizational management and leadership. This includes a record of significant accomplishment in community-based service and/or organizational practice.

Fellowships typically fund full tuition remission and stipend equivalent to Rutgers TA/GA awards. However, these fellowships do not include any fringe benefits. Fellows typically spend 21 hours each week at the sponsoring site during each term. Learning through practice occurs within project-defined activities with the expectation that the fellow will participate through the life cycle of specifically defined projects. Therefore, fellowship sponsors typically specify that consideration is contingent on continuing participation during term breaks including winter, spring, and Summer Session. The fellow is considered an employee of the corporate sponsors during these periods with additional remuneration for these periods negotiated by the sponsoring corporation and the individual student.

M.C.I.S. fellowships are awarded on a term-to-term basis, for up to three terms of full-time study in the M.C.I.S. program. Renewal of awards is contingent on review and recommendation by the M.C.I.S. program and corporate fellowship sponsor at the end of each term.

Review of M.C.I.S. fellowship applications is concurrent with review of applications for graduate study at Rutgers. Fellowship candidates are identified by the M.C.I.S. program, and then reviewed by corporate fellowship sponsors. This process typically includes multiple interviews with the M.C.I.S. program director and fellowship sponsors. Award decisions are based on the joint recommendations of the M.C.I.S. program and corporate fellowship sponsor.

M.L.I.S. Scholarship Fund. This fund is supported by contributions from alumni and friends of the school. Scholarship grants and emergency loans are available from this fund. To be considered for this award, application to the M.L.I.S. program must be made by March 15.

Nonuniversity Fellowships. Some graduate students at the university are supported by fellowships funded by sources outside the university. Students should consult standard reference material for sources of nonuniversity fellowships.

The New Jersey Library Association administers several scholarship funds, with values up to $1,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded only to New Jersey residents. Application is made to the scholarship committee of the association. Awards are made on a competitive basis. Contact the chairperson of the Department of Library and Information Science before December 1 of each year for further information. Other sources of financial aid are listed in the following publications:

Financial Assistance for Library Education (annual booklet available for $1 from Order Department, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611).

Bowker Annual of Library and Book Trade Information (Bowker Corporation, New York).

American Association of School Librarians, Scholarships, Fellowships, Loans, Grants-in-Aid for School Librarianship (ALA, Chicago).

Students should be aware that each department is continually seeking funds from outside agencies to help defray student expenses. Grants and awards of this nature vary each year. Inquiries regarding the availability of such monies can be made through program advisers.

Students should contact clubs, fraternal, religious, and national professional organizations, and local interest groups for possible aid through stipends and tuition credits. A student who receives any of these awards is required to notify the Office of Financial Aid.

Spectrum Scholarships from the American Library Association. Rutgers, an ALA Spectrum Partner, aims to bring greater diversity into the profession of librarianship through the recruitment of minority students. Application for this scholarship is made to the American Library Association.