In 1985, NSA President Jeanne Robertson, CSP, CPAE, established a ground plan for a scholarship program to encourage students in the field of professional speaking. After four years of designing, organizing and implementing, its founders distributed the first scholarships in 1989.
The fund provides four $5,000 scholarships to be given to college juniors, seniors and graduate students majoring or minoring in speech or a directly related field at an accredited four-year college or university.
The four scholarships are:

• The Earl Nightingale Scholarship, which was endowed with a $12,500 trust by the Nightingale-Conant Corporation;
• The Cavett Robert Scholarship, endowed with $1,000 donations from 13 NSA members;
• The Bill Gove Scholarship, endowed with $1,000 donations from 11 NSA members; and
• The Nido Qubein Scholarship, endowed with $1,000 donations from 23 NSA members.

2008 Academic Scholarship Application

Who is Eligible?

Scholarship Criteria
Applicant must be:

• A full-time student from a four-year, accredited college or university. (Full-time status is defined by your college or university. It is determined by a specific number of hours/credits required to be eligible for full-time tuition.)
• Entering undergraduate junior or senior year, or a graduate student. (Student may be a sophomore, transfer student or in an accelerated learning program, but must be entering or beyond the second half of their undergraduate education or a graduate student by September 15 of the scholarship year.)
• Major or minor: Speech or directly-related communications study. (If there is no speech department, communications majors may be considered.) Scholarship focus: Potential professional speakers and trainers, speech educators and those who want to or are using their speaking talents for improving the lives of others. This scholarship does not apply to speech pathology, television/radio or mass media, public relations, law, human resources.

Tips for Submitting Your Application

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if my school doesn’t have a speech or speech communication major?
A: The major must be related to speech or communications, or utilize professional speaking and training to improve the lives of others. This scholarship does not apply to speech pathology, television/radio or mass media, public relations, law, human resources.

Q: Am I eligible if I transfer from a Junior College?
A: Yes if you are entering or beyond the second half of your undergraduate program by September 15 of the scholarship year or are at least “junior status.”

Q: Am I eligible if I’m in an accelerated adult learning program?
A: Yes, if you are entering or beyond the second half of your undergraduate program by September 15 of the scholarship year or are at least “junior status.”

Q: How many scholarships are awarded?
A: Four scholarships are awarded each year.

Q: What is the amount of the scholarship?
A: Each scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.

Q: How do you define “full-time” student?
A: Full-time status is defined by your college or university. It is determined by a specific number of hours/credits required to be eligible for full-time tuition.

Q: Is financial need considered?
A: Hardship and financial need may be considered. The final decision is not based solely on financial need.

Q: Does the reference letter have to be from a speech teacher or the speech/communications department head or dean?
A: This is a scholarship for “professional speaking and training” and for those who want to or are using their speaking talents for improving the lives of others. Therefore, a reference letter is needed that attests to these interests/skills/abilities. If you have not yet taken classes in these areas, you may need to apply after you have completed those courses and can submit the appropriate reference letter.