Overview
The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) administers over $30,000 in annual scholarships for students at BEA member institutions pursuing degrees in broadcasting, electronic media, and related fields including film production. BEA is the primary international academic organization for broadcast and electronic media education. If you are a junior, senior, or graduate student at a BEA member school, you can apply for multiple scholarships through a single application.
The BEA scholarship program is not a single award. It is a portfolio of named scholarships, each funded by a different sponsor, with different amounts and eligibility criteria. Applicants submit one application and are automatically considered for every scholarship they qualify for. No separate forms are needed. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 each, and recipients are announced by mid-December. Funds are awarded in summer 2027 and applied to the 2027-2028 academic year.
There is no application fee. All full-time undergraduate students at BEA institutional member schools receive complimentary BEA membership. Scholarship recipients also receive free membership in AERho, BEA's honor society.
Scholarships and Amounts
BEA administers the following named scholarships for the 2026-2027 cycle. All amounts are per recipient.
Scholarships for Study in Any Electronic Media Area
| Scholarship | Amount | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEA Founders Award | $1,500 each (2 awarded) | BEA | Preference given to students at BEA 2-year member institutions or graduates now at 4-year institutions |
| Peter B. Orlik Award | $3,000 | Peter B. Orlik Scholarship Endowment | Single scholarship |
| Richard Eaton Foundation Award | $2,500 | Richard Eaton Foundation | Single scholarship |
| Vincent T. Wasilewski Award | $4,000 | Patrick Communications, LLC | Graduate students only |
| Edward O. Fritts Award | $1,000 | Eddie Fritts Scholarship Endowment | Single scholarship |
Scholarships for Radio Careers
| Scholarship | Amount | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Voron Award | $3,000 each (3 awarded) | Abe Voron Committee | For study toward a career in radio |
| John Bayliss Award | $2,500 | John Bayliss Foundation | For study toward a career in radio |
Scholarship for Broadcast History Research
| Scholarship | Amount | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library of American Broadcasting Foundation Award | $3,000 | LABF | Graduate students only, focusing on broadcast history or media heritage |
Media Technology and Innovation Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PILOT Media Technology and Innovation Scholarships | $5,000 each (5 awarded) | PILOT | Current sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Separate application at bewweb.org |
Eligibility
All applicants must meet these requirements:
- Be enrolled at a BEA member institution (your college or university must be an institutional member, not just an individual student member)
- Be a junior, senior, or graduate student during the award year
- Be enrolled full-time for the full academic year (one-semester grants are not provided)
- Demonstrate superior academic performance and potential as an electronic media professional
- Provide two letters of reference, at least one from an electronic media faculty member (both must be on letterhead)
Students at 2-year institutions who are transferring to BEA 4-year colleges are eligible to apply for all undergraduate scholarships. Current scholarship holders cannot reapply in the year following their award.
Scholarship funds must be used exclusively for tuition, student fees, university bookstore course purchases, dormitory charges, and related items eligible to be charged to a student's official campus account.
How to Apply
Applications open through the BEA website at beaweb.org/wp/scholarships. The deadline for the 2026-2027 cycle is October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM local time.
Before starting the application, you must create a profile with BEA. Undergraduate students at BEA member schools can get a complimentary membership code from their faculty advisor or by emailing help@BEAweb.org. Graduate students should email help@BEAweb.org to check if their school includes graduate membership.
The application requires:
- Personal and academic data
- Academic transcripts from all collegiate institutions
- A written statement of goals
- Media and other experience
- Two letters of reference (at least one from an electronic media faculty member, both on letterhead)
- Agreement to BEA's Terms and Conditions
Applicants are automatically considered for every scholarship they are eligible for. No separate applications are needed for individual named scholarships. The PILOT Media Technology and Innovation Scholarships have a separate application process at bewweb.org.
Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | October 16, 2026 |
| Recipients announced | Mid-December 2026 |
| Funds awarded | Summer 2027 |
| Funds applied to | 2027-2028 academic year |
Who Should Apply
Students at BEA member institutions studying broadcasting, television production, film, electronic media, or media technology who need financial support for their education. Before applying, verify your school's BEA institutional membership status through the BEA directory at beaweb.org. Graduate students focusing on broadcast history should specifically target the LABF Award. Students interested in radio careers should note the Abe Voron and John Bayliss awards. Those focused on media technology and innovation should apply separately through the PILOT program.
See Also
For comparing media programs with dedicated film schools, see Choosing a Film School. To explore audio delivery standards relevant to broadcasting, use the LUFS Calculator. For production budget planning for student projects, use the Production Budget Calculator.
Scholarship and Education Resources
The Scholarship Handbook
A comprehensive guide to finding and winning scholarships, with strategies for application essays and interview preparation.
The Film School Handbook
A practical guide to choosing, applying to, and funding film school, covering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student Filmmaking Gear
Browse B&H Photo's selection of affordable camera kits, audio recorders, and lighting for student productions.
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