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The Park Scholar Program offers much more than a full scholarship; it creates a dynamic learning community that develops future communications leaders who engage critically, act globally, and perform ethically. Through a mixture of academic and service programming, Scholars are challenged to take action and give back to their communities and to use the power of mass communication to make a positive impact on the world.

Thanks to the generosity of the Park Foundation, Ithaca College's School of Communications has welcomed outstanding high school seniors as Park Scholars since 1997. Grants from the Park Foundation also provide funding for the Park Center for Independent Media, a distinguished visitor series, and capital equipment for the Park School.

*Unfortunately the Rising Junior scholarship is no longer being offered at this time.

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Park Scholar Award

The Park Scholarship is a full tuition scholarship that includes living expenses, and books and technology stipend. A limited number of these merit-based scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors each year.

Your Park Scholar Award is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters, provided that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements: 

Upon entering the program, Park Scholars are expected to

  • Stay enrolled as a full-time student with a 3.500 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in one of the undergraduate degree programs at the Roy H. Park School of Communications.
  • Full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 credits hours per semester).
  • Maintain strong engagement in significant and meaningful community service.
  • Participate in Park Scholar academic programming and enrichment activities; (including programming required by your first-year learning community).
  • Be a model citizen and maintain good judicial standing.

In addition, first-year Scholars are expected to live with and participate in the H.O.M.E. program, a residential learning community that explores multicultural issues.

Additional Information about the Park Scholar Program

file-outline View the 2020-2021 Park Scholar Student Handbook - park-scholar-ay21-handbook-_updated.pdf (6.59 MB)
file-outline View the 2019-2020 Park Scholar Annual Report - park-scholar-annual-report19-20sm.pdf (4.62 MB)

Frequently Asked Questions

To be considered for this award, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (federal guidelines), and apply to Ithaca College for an undergraduate major within the Park School. Transfer students are not eligible for the award.

If a student is selected as a finalist for the award, s/he is expected to participate in the Finalist Weekend. Please check our website for the dates for this year’s Finalist Weekend. The Finalist Weekend consists of individual and group interviews, as well as information sessions and activities.

Each year, a limited number of scholarships are awarded. The number varies from year to year.

Yes, you will need to submit two additional recommendation letters that are written specifically for the Park Scholar application.

The online application requires the following: two essay responses; two letters of recommendation; and a list of volunteer, leadership and employment activities. You do not need to submit an additional transcript For more information on the application process, visit How to Apply.

While the Park Scholar application is due by January 15, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION TO APPLY TO ITHACA COLLEGE BY JANUARY 2.

Your Park Scholar Award is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters, provided that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements:

  • Enrollment in one of the degree programs offered through the Roy H. Park School of Communications.

  • Full-time enrollment (a minimum of 12 credits hours per semester).

  • 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

  • Strong and continued record of service.

  • Participation in Park Scholar academic programming and enrichment activities (including programming required by your first-year learning community).

  • Good judicial standing. 

As a Park Scholar, you are expected to participate in Park Scholar pre-semester program and the Jumpstart pre-orientation program . You will be automatically enrolled in the 1-credit Park Scholar Seminar.

For more information contact:

Office of Admission
Ithaca College
953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850-7000
 

(800) 429-4274