ALA Scholarship Program | ALA

ALA Scholarship Program | ALA
ALA Scholarship Program
ALA and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for studies toward master's degrees in library and information science.
The American Library Association (ALA) is committed to promoting and advancing the librarian profession. To demonstrate this commitment, the ALA and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for study in a master's degree in library and information studies from an ALA accredited program, or for a master's degree with a specialty in school librarianship that meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredited unit.
You can apply for a variety of scholarships through the single
online application
hosted by the ALA Scholarship Program.
The scholarship process is open annually from September 1st - March 1st. Applications and reference forms (which must be submitted on-line) are available during that time period. Instructions and general information remain available year round.
Before starting, read the
ALA Scholarship FAQ
, and carefully review the
requirements
in each category for the scholarships to which you are applying. Then complete the
online application
. PLEASE NOTE: It is only necessary to complete ONE online application regardless of the number of scholarships you apply for. You may apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for by checking the appropriate boxes on the application form.
See all scholarships
Start your online application
ALA Scholarships
General Scholarships
These ALA Scholarships are open to all applicants who have applied for admission to a formal program of library and information studies leading to a master's degree.
David H. Clift Scholarship
Christopher Hoy Scholarship
More Information
View all scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF)
Other Sources of Financial Aid Directory
If you have questions, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279  or
scholarships@ala.org
Scholarships by Practice Area or Specialty
These scholarships available through the
ALA Scholarship Program
are geared towards individuals planning to work in specific types of libraries or positions within the library.
By Library Type
GODORT David W. Rozkuszka Scholarship
(for Government Documents workers)
Julia J. Brody Public Librarian Scholarship
(Public Library Service)
Media & Technology
Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship
(Library Technology)
The deg farrelly Memorial/Alexander Street Press AMIA/FMRT Media Librarian Scholarship
(Media Collections)
Peter Lyman Memorial/SAGE Scholarship in New Media
(New Media)
Children & Youth Librarianship
Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship
(Children's Librarianship)
Frederic G. MELCHER Scholarship
(Children's Librarianship)
Mary V. Gaver Scholarship
(Youth Librarianship)
Regina U. Minudri Young Adult Scholarship
(Young Adult services)
More Information
View all scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF)
Other Sources of Financial Aid Directory
If you have questions, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279  or
scholarships@ala.org
Scholarships for Library Support Staff
These ALA Scholarships are geared towards individuals currently working as support staff in libraries. They include:
Tom and Roberta Drewes Scholarship
Miriam L. Hornback Scholarship
Tony B. Leisner Scholarship
More Information
View all scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF)
Other Sources of Financial Aid Directory
If you have questions, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279  or
scholarships@ala.org
Scholarships for Underrepresented Groups
These ALA Scholarships are geared towards individuals from groups currently underrepresented in the library profession.
ALA Century Scholarship
(for students with disabilities)
ALA Spectrum Scholarship
(for racial and ethnic underrepresented groups)
More Information
View all scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF)
Other Sources of Financial Aid Directory
If you have questions, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279  or
scholarships@ala.org
ALA Scholarship Application Requirements
The following items are required for all scholarship applications. Be sure to check the requirements of the specific scholarship for which you are applying because you may need to mail additional documents.
Completed online application
(which includes a personal statement).
Completed references
(only references on the official online form will be accepted). Three professional references are required. Once you begin the application process, you will be asked to provide the name and email addresses of three (3) professional references. These should be people (excluding family members) who are well acquainted with your educational background, intellectual abilities, professional experience, and personal character. Each person listed will receive an email message with instructions for completing the online reference form. An application will not be considered complete unless the three references are submitted by March 1st.
Official academic transcripts.
An official transcript is required from bachelor's degree-granting institutions and any master's level work toward an ALA-accredited or NCATE approved master's in library science. Transcripts for other master's level work are not required but may be submitted for consideration. The college transcript should be submitted only once regardless of the number of scholarships you apply for. All transcripts must be received by March 1st (electronic transcripts will not be considered). They should be placed in a sealed envelope and mailed in one package along with other materials (as required by specific scholarships) to the following address: ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Personal Statement.
Applicant should include a personal statement as part of the on-line application. It should consist of not more than 300 words and describe your interest and any work in your proposed field of study, including non-course educational experience, volunteer work, teaching or other relevant employment and publications. You should also indicate what specific competencies or characteristics you believe you have to offer the field of librarianship, what you can bring to the profession, and in particular what you have done which indicates your potential for leadership. Describe your career interests and goals and your commitment to library and information service.
The completed online application, personal statement, and three references must be received in the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse by
March 1st
to be considered.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279 or
scholarships@ala.org
See the Comparison of ALA Scholarship Requirements at a Glance
Factors Considered
Factors considered in making these awards include:
academic excellence;
leadership; and
evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship.
Achievement in these areas may best be demonstrated by statements indicating the nature of library and other experience, by professional references, and by the personal statement included in the online application.
PLEASE NOTE: For all general scholarships you will be asked to complete only one (1) personal statement during your online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The LITA Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship is the only scholarship that does not have a residency restriction.
No. At this time, the American Library Association does not offer any scholarships for undergraduate work and there is no agency that accredits undergraduate or associates programs in library and information studies. As you continue on in your studies, however, be sure to review the
ALA scholarship page
in case this changes.
Yes, provided you have not completed more than 1/3rd of the credit requirements toward your degree by June 1st.  For example, if your library school program is 36 credits, you should not have completed more than 12 (12 or less) credits by June 1st.
Yes. You are eligible for the following scholarships: the
ALA Century Scholarship
and the
Spectrum Scholarship
. You may click on the name for more information.
Yes. The
ALA Century Scholarship
can be used toward a Ph.D. or Master’s program. You may click on name for more information.
You must attend either an
ALA-Accredited MLIS program
, or a
Nationally Recognized NCATE-AASL Reviewed & Approved School Library Media Education Program
.  The specific program you choose will depend on your area of interest.  The NCATE-approved program is generally for people interested in school library media programs.  The ALA-accredited programs are generally for all other areas of librarianship.  See the
comparison list of requirements
to determine which you need to attend.
Send a message to Kimberly L. Redd at
klredd@ala.org
with Reference Request as the subject and include the recommenders name and email address.
Quick Links
Start the Online Application
View all ALA Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Requirements at a Glance (PDF)
Financial Aid Directory (PDF)
Historical Scholarships Database
Support the ALA Scholarship Program
Need help?
If you have questions, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279  or
scholarships@ala.org
Email
Cite
Share This Page