The Library and Information Science Program awards special scholarships as available. The LIS Financial Aid Committee makes recommendations for selection and/or selects recipients. Applications for scholarships and fellowships and the Financial Aid Application are sent as part of the MLIS Application/Admissions Packet. Applications for these scholarships are also available for downloading (Adobe Acrobat pdf files) following the respective scholarship description(s) below.

* Please note that the majority of these scholarships and fellowships are awarded to students starting in the Fall Term. Applications for scholarships and fellowships will be considered upon admission into the MLIS program. You may apply for one or more of these scholarships, but only ONE award will be made to any ONE individual. The Financial Aid Committee reserves the right to request an interview and to withhold an award if there are no suitable applicants.

• Joan Brest Friedberg Scholarship
• Margaret Hodges Scholarship
• ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program (Post Grad)
• E. J. Josey Endowment Scholarship for Minorities
• Elva S. Smith Scholarship
• Frank B. and Ann J. Sessa Scholarship
• Information Ethics Fellowship (1997-2004)
• Diversity Librarian Fellowship and Residency Program (MLIS)

Dr. Joan Brest Friedberg co-founded the "Beginning with Books" program in 1984. "Beginning with Books" was created as an early literacy intervention project, to bring reading and literature to the attention of children and families and to foster in them a life-long love of reading. Dr. Friedberg is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh.

This award provides a tuition scholarship which covers 3 courses (9 credits) for a part-time Pennsylvania resident in the MLIS program who is interested in pursuing a career in public librarianship.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION:
JOAN BREST FRIEDBERG SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Margaret Hodges, a former member of the staff of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Library and Information Science, where she taught literature for children and young adults and storytelling. She was honored with a University Bicentennial medallion for service, and she is the author of many books for children, including St George and the Dragon, awarded the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations. In 1989, a scholarship was established in her name and was first awarded in Fall 1990.A tuition scholarship is awarded and may be held in conjunction with a Graduate Student Assistantship.

To be eligible, a student must demonstrate high academic achievement and a desire to work with children in a public library. The scholarship amount is currently $2000.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION:
MARGARET HODGES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Dr. E. J. Josey is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Library and Information Science, where he taught courses in Academic Librarianship and Libraries in Society. This scholarship has been established to honor his lifelong work on behalf of minorities in librarianship, especially his fight to eradicate racial discrimination from library facilities and to provide equal opportunities for minority librarians.

This scholarship is awarded annually to an enrolled African American graduate student in the Department who demonstrates potential for academic excellence and leadership in the profession and may be held in conjunction with a Graduate Student Assistantship. The scholarship amount is currently $2000.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION:
E.J. JOSEY ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR MINORITIES APPLICATION

Elva S. Smith was Professor of children's services at the Carnegie Library School from 1904-1930. The scholarship named in her honor provides full tuition for a student entering the MLIS program and carries no work requirement.

To be eligible, the student must demonstrate high academic achievement and professional potential for a career working with children in a public library.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION:
ELVA S. SMITH SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Dr. Frank B. Sessa, a graduate of the Carnegie Institute of Technology and former Acting Dean of the School, was named Professor Emeritus when he retired. He served as director of the Miami Public Library before accepting the responsibility for developing the doctoral program at the School. Ann J. Sessa, his wife, is a graduate of the Carnegie Institute of Technology. In 1989, a scholarship was endowed to honor the Sessas and was first awarded in Fall 1990. Mrs. Sessa, her three daughters, and their families are major donors to this scholarship.

To be eligible, a student must be CURRENTLY enrolled in the MLIS program, demonstrate high academic achievement, and have an interest in working in a public library. The scholarship amount is currently $1000 in tuition remission and may be held in conjunction with a Graduate Student Assistantship.