The Philadelphia chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is pleased to announce the Vijaya L. Balaji Scholarship, which will award $500 to a student who intends to pursue a journalism career, and who is of modest financial means.
The scholarship is in honor of Mrs. Vijaya L. Balaji, the late mother of former AAJA-Philadelphia president, Murali Balaji. Mrs. Balaji was a committed supporter to the chapter, who believed in the education of minority journalists.
Requirements are as follows:
1) Applicants must be a college freshman, sophomore, or junior in the 2013-14 school year.
2) AAJA membership is not required to apply, but if the student is awarded the scholarship, he/she must become an AAJA student member (cost is $25 for the year).
3) The winner must provide a copy of his/her most recently submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before receiving the scholarship money to show proof of financial need.
4) The winner needs to volunteer some time in 2013 to helping the Philadelphia chapter by recruiting other student journalists to the chapter, or by assisting in organizing an event.
To apply, send:
1) A one-page essay describing your background, what you have done in journalism so far, and what you plan to do in journalism as a career. Include your name, phone number, e-mail, and addresses.
2) Names of two references, with phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
3) A transcript of your grades for college courses taken, or high-school grades if you are in high school.
E-mail your materials to aajaphiladelphia@gmail.com or mail them postmarked by Mar. 30, 2013, to:
c/o Juliana Reyes
Technically Philly
4040 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(Questions may be sent to aajaphiladelphia@gmail.com or by calling Rikki Massand, AAJA-Philadelphia’s student outreach coordinator, at 860-436-1378.)
Please note: Special consideration for this scholarship will be given to a student who is the first person in his or her family to go to college. The scholarship is to be used for college fees or books.
Selection process:
The AAJA-Philadelphia chapter board, former president Murali Balaji, and one non-AAJA individual who is a leader in the Asian American community will make up the selection committee.
The winner will be announced by Apr. 15, 2013, and a check for $500 will be mailed Aug. 2013.
AAJA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and helping them enter and succeed in the news industry.
AAJA Philadelphia 
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