Scholarships and Awards
Undergraduate students can apply for scholarships and awards through the Department of Communication and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).
Martin Horn Scholarship
The Department of Communication contributes to the community through outreach efforts, excellent teaching, and conducting and presenting socially meaningful empirical research. The Martin Horn Scholarship allows students to contribute to the Department’s mission. The department strives to pursue theoretically grounded research and disseminate knowledge by helping others learn about communication.
The scholarship committee will award two recipients, each receiving a $3,000 scholarship.
Application Deadline
The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open.
Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents before 11:59 p.m., March 22, 2026.
To qualify, candidates must:
- Be a full-time communication major with junior or senior standing.
- Demonstrate academic or extracurricular achievements that align with the Department of Communication’s mission.
- Actively participate in community outreach and/or public service projects.
- Exhibit academic excellence in communication.
- Have completed the following courses (graded):
- COMM 1000: The Process of Communication.
- COMM 1100: Principles of Public Speaking.
- Two additional Communication courses, including at least one at the 2000 level or higher.
- Additionally, candidates must explain how this scholarship will support their academic and career goals.
To apply, students must complete the Martin Horn Scholarship application. You will be asked to:
- Provide a short essay and a personal statement describing your qualifications.
- Upload an unofficial copy of your UConn transcript as a PDF. This transcript must include your fall grades and be saved in the following format: <last name> Transcript (e.g., Smith Transcript.pdf).
Students must submit the completed application and all supporting documents by the application deadline.
At the end of the year, the award recipient will be required to submit a letter to the Undergraduate Committee detailing how the funds were used to advance their career goals.
Communication Impact Award
The Communication Impact Award recognizes undergraduate Communication majors who are making meaningful, positive contributions to the Department of Communication, the University of Connecticut community, and/or their local communities.
This award celebrates students who demonstrate the power of effective communication through service, leadership, collaboration, and real-world impact. The Communication Impact Award recognizes students who use their communication knowledge and skills to create positive change through leadership, mentoring, service, advocacy, research, community engagement, or other forms of meaningful involvement.
Each year, three (3) exceptional undergraduate students will be selected to receive this honor. Each awardee will receive $1,000 and be formally recognized at the Department of Communication’s end-of-year celebration.
Application Deadline
The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open.
Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents before 11:59 p.m., March 22, 2026.
To qualify, candidates must:
- Be an undergraduate major in Communication at UConn in good academic standing.
- Have completed the following courses (graded):
- COMM 1000: The Process of Communication
- COMM 1100: Principles of Public Speaking
- Two additional Communication courses
- Demonstrate clear and meaningful positive contributions to:
- The Department of Communication, and/or
- The UConn community, and/or
- Their local or broader communities
To apply, students must complete the Communication Impact Award application. You will be asked to submit the following:
- Impact Statement (500–750 words)
Describe your contributions and the positive impact you have made. Be specific about:- What you did
- Who was impacted
- Why this work matters
- What you learned through the experience
- Unofficial UConn transcript
- Resume or CV
- One brief letter of support from a faculty member, advisor, supervisor, or community partner who can speak to your impact
Students must submit the completed application and all supporting documents by the application deadline.
All scholarships will be administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services. If you are a need-based financial aid recipient (loans, grants, work-study employment), your financial aid package may be revised as a result of this award. If no adjustment is necessary and your fee bill is paid in full, you may be entitled to a refund. If you have questions about how a scholarship could affect your financial aid package, please call (860) 486-2819.
Additional Scholarship Resources
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers scholarships and fellowships annually that consider merit and financial need. These opportunities are open to all eligible students across the College. Undergraduate students can apply for most of these opportunities by completing a standard electronic application.
Office of Student Financial Aid Services
Looking for more scholarship and fellowship opportunities? The Office of Student Financial Aid Services offers additional information about opportunities and helpful links about financial literacy and student consumer information.