The PRSA Foundation will provide the PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant to qualifying students and young professionals to cover the cost of the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations study course and examination. This grant is funded by the PRSA College of Fellows.

The College of Fellows believes in the importance of students and recent graduates entering the life-long ladder of professional development through PRSA membership and participation. That progression begins with PRSSA membership, followed by the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, earning Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through the Universal Accreditation Board, and potentially culminating with induction into the College of Fellows.

The grant program will be under the oversight of PRSA Foundation, with the College of Fellows managing fundraising and the selection committee process.

Overview

The PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant will provide a limited number of grants annually to qualifying undergraduate or graduate students or new professionals who meet the eligibility requirements for the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations. Grants are provided to defray the cost of the study course and examination. Awards will be given twice annually. Applications for the spring/summer are due November 1. Applications for the fall/winter are due April 30.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be committed to pursuing the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations and a public relations-related career.
• Applicants for the grant must meet the eligibility requirements to participate in the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations study course and exam.
• Applicants must complete the online application for the grant.
• Applicants must provide a letter of reference from the PRSSA adviser or a faculty member who taught the student in a public relations-required class and can verify the applicant’s academic standing and readiness to pursue the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations process.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a public relations or public relations-related major/concentration, verified in writing by the PRSSA adviser or faculty member who taught the applicant in a public relations-required class. Applicants who are recent graduates must hold a degree in a communications concentration.
• Applicants should have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and a major GPA of at least 3.0.
• Applicants must be current dues-paying members of the Public Relations Student Society of America either through a chapter or as an at-large member. Applicants who are recent graduates must demonstrate that they were members of PRSSA as a student or be affiliated with a PRSA chapter.

Application:

Applicants for the PRSA College of Fellows Grant should submit the following:

1. General PRSA Foundation scholarship application form
2. Letter of recommendation from a PRSSA adviser or faculty member who taught the applicant in a public relations course.
3. Personal statement of up to 250 words on why the applicant wants to pursue the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations and career goals in a public relations-related career.

Application Deadline:

• April 30, 2025 (Fall/Winter)
• November 1, 2025 (Spring)