Student Impact Fund
Helping Students Maximize Opportunity
Being selected for an opportunity is only the beginning.
For many students, participating in a conference, internship, fellowship,
professional-development experience, or other career-building opportunity also means finding
the resources to get there.
Travel, lodging, registration, transportation, and other expenses can create barriers between
students and experiences that could meaningfully influence their academic and professional
journeys.
The Student Impact Fund exists to help close that gap.
Why the Fund Exists
Access Should Extend Beyond the Invitation
Students should not have to turn down a meaningful opportunity simply because they cannot
afford the costs associated with participating.
The Student Impact Fund provides financial support to help eligible HBCU students access
professional, educational, and career-building experiences that contribute to their development.
By helping reduce the financial barriers associated with participation, the Fund allows students to focus on what the opportunity was intended to provide: learning, connection, experience, and growth.
What the Fund Supports
Student Impact Fund support may be used toward eligible expenses associated with approved
professional and educational opportunities, including:
Conferences & Convenings
Support for students participating in conferences, industry gatherings, and other professional
learning experiences.
Internships & Fellowships
Assistance with eligible expenses that can make participation in internship and fellowship
opportunities more accessible.
Professional Development
Support for approved training, workshops, and other experiences that contribute to a student’s
professional development.
Travel & Lodging
Assistance with eligible transportation and lodging expenses associated with participating in an
approved opportunity.
Other Career-Building Experiences
Support may also be considered for other approved opportunities that provide meaningful
academic or professional value.
Who the Fund Serves
The Student Impact Fund supports HBCU students pursuing opportunities that contribute to
their academic and professional development across journalism, media, communications, and
related fields.
- Students can apply for one funded opportunity per year
- Students must be endorsed by a faculty member.
How to Apply
Seeking Support for an Opportunity?
We will be announcing the opening of our first application cycle in the Spring
2027. This will include application process, deadline dates and award amounts.
More to come!
[APPLICATION PROCESS / ELIGIBILITY / DEADLINES TO BE ADDED]
Student Impact
Turning Access Into Experience
Every award represents more than financial assistance. It represents a student being able to
enter a room, attend a conference, accept an opportunity, build a relationship, develop a skill, or
gain an experience that might otherwise have been inaccessible.
“
"This fund can change everything. Having a fund dedicated to students that helps cover the necessities and resources we need to pursue a brighter future is truly a blessing."
Kindle Twyman
North Carolina A&T
Class of 2026
“
"This will allow me and my fellow students to represent our university and show that, as HBCU students, we belong in these spaces and in this industry."
Tiffany Davis
Alabama State University
Class of 2026
“
"“As a smaller department on campus, having this fund drastically changes what’s possible for us. It helps address travel costs and other tangible barriers that can prevent students from attending amazing conferences and networking opportunities. It will definitely help minimize that burden.”"
Lauren Kennedy Brown
North Carolina A&T
Class of 2027
Lauren Kennedy Brown
(North Carolina A&T)
Tiffany Davis
(Alabama State)
Kindle Twyman
(North Carolina A&T)
Support the Student Impact Fund
Help Make Opportunity Accessible
Contributions to the Student Impact Fund directly support HBCU students pursuing meaningful
educational and professional experiences.
Your support can help remove the financial barriers standing between a student and an
opportunity to learn, connect, grow, and take the next step in their career.
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