LIS Scholarships
All students admitted to the master's degree in library and information science (LIS) who apply by February 1st for the following summer or fall terms will be considered for the following internal awards and scholarships. Internal funding is limited and is highly competitive. Unless otherwise noted, an additional application for any iSchool award is not required. The School of Information Studies encourages all students to pursue both
internal and
external funding opportunities.
Internal Awards and Scholarships
School of Information Studies Endowed Graduate Assistantships
Students who exemplify excellence may be considered for one of three named graduate assistantships designated specifically for LIS students in the School of Information Studies. Graduate assistants are selected based on superior qualifications and references. The award provides full tuition for the academic year in addition to a yearly stipend. Because the scholars are studying full-time, they may hold no other appointment except, in some cases, an assistantship or internship related to the program of study.
To apply for a graduate assistantship in library and information science, students should submit applications for admission to the University and the required credentials. The top candidates admitted to the LIS program are offered these awards.
- Gaylord Library School Graduate Assistantship
- $12,000 stipend paid out as $6,000 per semester over fall and spring semesters. Awardees will be required to participate in research, teaching, or administrative assistance for 20 hours a week as part of their award.
- 24 tuition credits per year
- Jean Goodrich Library Science Leadership Graduate Assistantship
- $18,000 stipend paid out as $6,000 per semester over fall, spring, and summer. Awardees will be required to participate in research, teaching, or administrative assistance for 20 hours a week as part of their award.
- 24 tuition credits per year.
- Dorothy E. Rowland Library Science Graduate Assistantship
- $12,000 stipend paid out as $6,000 per semester fall and spring. Awardees will be required to participate in research, teaching, or administrative assistance for 20 hours a week as part of their award.
- 24 tuition credits per year.
Leadership Scholarships
The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize excellence in incoming applicants and to encourage them to participate in and lead our graduate student organizations and other initiatives within the school. The Leadership Scholarship provides one-third of the cost of tuition for the graduate program. Award decisions are based on the application materials. Awards are distributed to both campus and distance based students.
The Librarianship into the Future Award
The School of Information Studies seeks to engage with potential and existing students, alumni, and other iSchool community members in innovative ways, just as libraries in the future must reach out to their members in imaginative ways. We aspire to be a leader in the use of the social web, and therefore, we would like to encourage students interested in being prominent in this space to join us at Syracuse. To do this, we have established the
Librarianship into the Future Scholarship. This award will cover 50 percent of scholarship recipients’ tuition expenses toward their MSLIS degree at the Syracuse.
Preparing Librarians for High-Needs Schools
The School of Information Studies has developed a new Preparing Librarians for High-Needs Schools Scholarship program to help infuse energetic and skilled school media professionals into the high-needs school districts while supporting the highest caliber school media students. Student admitted to the campus and online programs for the MS in Library and Information Science – School Media program are eligible.
Preparing Students for High-Needs Schools Scholarship recipients will receive financial support to cover one-third of their tuition costs. In exchange, those students will be required to complete their fieldwork (100 hours) and practica (300 hours) in high-needs districts, as designated by New York State.* Teachers with appropriate experience have an option for reduced practicum hours. For details and application.
Awards for Library and Information Science Students
The School of Information Studies considers LIS students for the following awards based on academic merit:
- Ronnie Kasowitz Memorial Scholarship - $2,000
- Muriel J. Rossman Scholarship - $1,500
- Ellen G. Shay Library Science Scholarship - $1,000
- Fay and Robert Taylor Scholarship partial scholarship and financial assistance
- Van Hoesen Loan Fund
- Marta Dosa Award - 3 credits (Application)
Graduate Assistance for Students in the Distance Education Program
Each year, the School of Information Studies awards one Helen Benning Regnier Scholarship. This merit-based, full-tuition scholarship is given to a distance learning student pursuing a master's degree in library and information science.
Distance students in the Library and Information Science program are also eligible for the Leadership Scholarships, Preparing Students for High-Needs Schools Scholarship, and the Librarianship into the Future Award.
External Awards and Scholarships
In addition to awards provided by the school and the University, admitted LIS students are encouraged to apply for financial support from an external source such as the sampling listed below.
American Library Association (ALA) Scholarship Program
Profile: The ALA offers more than $300,000 worth of scholarships for Library and Information Studies students each year through a large number of scholarships. Information about the various scholarships is available on the
ALA website.
Application: The scholarship process is open annually from September - March. Applications and reference forms (which must be submitted on-line) are available during that time period. Instructions and general information remain available year round at the
ALA Scholarships Web site.
Contact:
ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse
Deadline: March 8
Medical Library Association (MLA)
Profile: The Medical Library Association offers a
variety of scholarships and grants to assist qualified students in graduate library science programs and to enable practicing health sciences librarians to take advantage of opportunities for continuing professional development. More information about the grants and the application forms can be found online.
Contact:
Lisa C. Fried
Phone: 312-419-9094 x28
Deadline: December 1 unless otherwise noted on application instructions.
American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Scholarships
Profile: The American Association of Law Libraries awards scholarships in significant amounts each year with or without a JD to assist individuals in achieving their goal of becoming a law librarian. Continuing education awards are also given to current law librarians. Minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. See the
AALL Educational Scholarships page for more information.
General Contact:
The American Association of Law Libraries
53 W. Jackson, Suite 940
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 939-4764
Fax: (312) 431-1097
Deadlines: Application deadline is April 1, with additional deadlines throughout the year for continuing education applicants.
Special Libraries Association (SLA)
Profile: This program consists of awards for graduate study leading to a master's degree, graduate study leading to a Ph.D., and for post-M.L.S. study. The awards are available with further information on the
SLA website.
Applications deadlines, and contact persons vary for each scholarship. Please view each award's Web site for further information.
New York Library Association (NYLA)- Dewey Scholarship
Profile: The NYLA-Dewey Scholarship provides financial assistance to enable an interested and deserving student to pursue a Master’s Degree in Library Science at an ALA-accredited library school in New York State.
The recipient of this award will receive approx. $1000 to cover tuition costs and related expenses. In addition, the winner will receive a complimentary one-year student membership in NYLA and free attendance at the first NYLA Annual Conference to be held after the awarding of the scholarship.
Application: The application form can be found online.
Contact:
(800) 252-NYLA
Deadline: September 30
Dialog Graduate Education Program - Roger K. Summit Scholarship
Profile: The Roger K. Summit Scholarship presents two regional awards annually, one for North America and one for either Europe, the Middle East, Africa or Asia-Pacific. Applicants must be students who are currently enrolled in a library and information science program within the award region. The scholarship recipient, who must have demonstrated outstanding interest or performance in electronic information services, is selected based upon the following criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Demonstrated interest in electronic information services, based on course work, research and experience
- Proficiency on Dialog online services
- Faculty recommendations
Visit the Dialog website for instructions and the application.
International Research & Exchanges Board Grants
Profile: Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO): The Individual Advanced Research Opportunities Program (IARO) provides fellowships to professionals with terminal degrees, master's students, and pre-doctoral and postdoctoral scholars and from the United States for individual long-term policy-relevant research in Europe and Eurasia. Limited funding is available for pre-doctoral humanities scholars. IREX offers grants of 1-3 months for policy-relevant research at the master's level.
Deadline: Usually in late November