Journalism is one of the most popular online degree programs for distance education students. With a journalism degree, you’ll qualify for a number of jobs, including newspaper reporting, magazine writing, photojournalism, editing, public relations, publishing, and more. Although online programs are typically less expensive than going to school at a traditional college, these courses can still cost thousands of dollars. For students in financial need, journalism grants can really help to cut down the costs, making education possible.

Grants are different from scholarships, though neither has to be repaid after graduation, as you’ll find with student loans. Unlike scholarships, which are given out based on merit, the main qualification for grants is financial need. That means that you can get money for school even if you don’t have top-notch grades or special talents. Grants are available from a number of sources.

One of the best ways to get a grant for college is through the Federal Pell Grant program. Run by the government, this program gives money for education to all students who qualify wholly based on financial need. The Federal Pell Grant looks at your family’s financial situation in relation to all other applications across the country to determine how much money you’ll receive from the fund. This money is available to all students, regardless of major, as long as your school is accredited, so online journalism students are more than qualified to apply in most cases.

Outside of the Federal Pell Grant, a number of organizations offer grants to journalism students. These include the following organizations:

• Knight Foundation
• American Journalism Review
• Fund for Investigative Journalism
• The Fund for Free Expression
• Alicia Patterson Foundation Program
• Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
• Association of Electronic Journalists
• Society of Professional Journalists

To qualify for many of these grants, you must have specific research projects in mind where you’ll use the money, and some require experience in the field. However, since many online journalism students choose to return to school for an advanced degree, these programs might apply to you.

There are also organizations not related to journalism that offer degrees to students regardless of your college major. For some of these programs, you may qualify based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or other personal characteristics, along with your financial need. College grants can additionally come directly from your online school. Many distance learning programs offer online journalism college grants to students who show promise in this area but need financial aid to continue going to school.

College grants often have a more time-consuming application process, requiring much more detail and information about your finances when you apply. However, with just a single grant, you might be able to completely pay for your college tuition and other expenses. Some even cover living expenses so you don’t have to work full-time while taking classes. If you qualify for a grant, apply to it, even if you think it is a long shot that your application will be successful or even if the money award is just a small amount. Every little bit helps when you’re paying for your education.

Journalism and writing are skills valued not only among news publishers, but in fact across all business careers and many other specialized non-business professions. The ability to communicate one's ideas through the written word is key to any successful career. Below is a list of accredited schools who have online programs that can help you start your career in journalism.

Top Online Journalism Schools

BA in Journalism	University of Massachusetts — UMassOnline offers a BA degree in journalism studies that teaches students the reporting, writing, and online research skills they will need to succeed in a job as a journalist. Coursework includes a study of the state of online journalism and the future of information technology.
AA in Communication BS in Communication	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers its communications programs at two degree levels, Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Science. The associate's degree-level communications program develops a foundation for understanding effective exchange of information regarding journalistic news presentations for print, Web, and broadcast media. The bachelor's degree-level program builds on these lessons and helps develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that journalists will use in a career.
BA in Communication Studies BA in English/Language Arts	Ashford University — Ashford's bachelor's degree program in communication studies is a good fit for anyone pursuing a career in business, communication management, media, journalism, or public policy. Upon completion of this program, graduates are highly valued and sought after in the job market for all of these industries. Ashford also offers a similar degree in English/Language Arts that is geared toward individuals interested in more of a liberal arts education.
BS in Communication	Walden University — Walden University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in communication that combines communication theory with practical skills. This particular degree focuses on journalistic aspects of new media, including Web publishing, online video, podcasts, Web conferencing, and more.
BA in Communication	Southern New Hampshire University — Southern New Hampshire University offers a BA degree in communication that combines courses in communication with a solid foundation in the liberal arts. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter careers in advertising, business writing, corporate communications, journalism, and more.
BA in Comm. Studies	University of Maryland University College — University of Maryland University College is a pioneer in adult distance learning. The communication studies program from UMUC Online is a multidisciplinary degree program that focuses on several topics, including business writing, speech communication, mass communication, and journalism.
BA in Communication	Regent University — Students of Regent University's bachelor's in communication degree program study communication in all roles of life and learn to apply their knowledge to emerging technologies of new journalism media, including podcasting, social media, blogs, and more. Being a Christian university, Regent has built a reputation for preparing its students spiritually as well as academically for their careers.
BA in Communications BA/Comm - Digital Film BA/Comm - Graphic Design BA/Comm - Public Relations	Grand Canyon University — For the aspiring journalist, Grand Canyon University offers a BA in communications degree with three different specializations: digital film production, graphic design, and public relations. Students of the communications program are prepared to become leaders in the fields of media and communications.
BS in Communication Advanced Start BS in Comm	Kaplan University — For aspiring journalists seeking a communications degree, Kaplan University offers two such programs, the BS in Communication/Organization Communication and the Advanced Start BS in Communications for students who have already earned an associate's or bachelor's degree.
See more communications degrees...