ALA Scholarship Program 

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 in school library media program that meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for a National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accredited unit. See the ALA Office of Accreditation's website for a list of ALA-Accredited programs. See the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) website for the list of Nationally Recognized NCATE-AASL Reviewed & Approved School Library Media Education Programs

The scholarship process is open annually from October - March. 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, 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.

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.

1. Required. Completed online application (which includes a personal statement).
   
   
2. Required. Completed references (only references on the official online form will be accepted). A total of three references must be submitted.  You will be prompted to indicate your professional references within the online application.
   
   
3. Required. Official academic transcripts from institutions where you received your bachelors degree. These can be submitted directly from the institution, or mailed in the unopened envelope as received from the degree-granting institutions along with any other materials you may need to submit. Only official (sealed) copies will be accepted. All items must be received in the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse by March 1^st to be considered. The mailing address is: ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.
   

Note: The completion of the application is the responsibility of the applicant.

Three major factors are considered in awarding these scholarships:
a) academic excellence;
b) leadership; and
c) evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship.

If you have questions or concerns about the application process, please contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4279, ALA tdd: 1-888-814-7692 or scholarships@ala.org.

Recipients will be contacted by phone after June 1^st. All other applicants will be notified by mail after July 1^st.

Good Luck!

PLEASE NOTE: The scholarship application and the reference forms are both online submissions. The scholarship application and reference forms will be available until March 1, 2008.

Scholarship Application

ALA General Scholarships

ALA Scholarships FAQ

ALA Scholarships for Library Support Staff

ALA Scholarships for Library Youth Services

Comparison at a Glance of Scholarship Requirements

Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies
An annual directory of awards from state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions, and foundations who give some form of financial assistance for undergraduate and/or graduate education programs in library and information studies.

List of Available Scholarships
Scholarships available from ALA and its units for study in ALA-accredited Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies

Spectrum
Spectrum is ALA's multimillion dollar scholarship and professional development program to improve service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries.

AASL School Librarian's Workshop Scholarship
The scholarship, $3,000 donated by Jay W. Toor, president, Library Learning Resources, is awarded to a full-time student preparing to become a school library media specialist at the preschool, elementary, or secondary level.

ALSC Scholarships
The Association for Library Service to Children sponsors the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship (two awarded annually at $6,000 each)and the Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship (four awarded annually at $6,500 each). Application deadline for both scholarships is March 1.

ASCLA Century Scholarship
The Century Scholarship funds services or accommodations that are either not provided by law or otherwise by the university that will enable a student with a disability to complete the course of study for a Master's or Doctorate in Library Science and become a library or information studies professional. Administered by ASCLA LSSPS. Deadline for nominations: March 1.

Blackwell's Scholarship Award

Diana V. Braddom FRFDS Scholarship
The goals of the scholarship program are to offer librarians and/or staff members from all types of libraries an opportunity to learn new fundraising skills enabling them to increase funding to their libraries from public, private and corporate sources.

LITA Scholarships & Awards
LITA scholarships are awarded to eligible students who are continuing their education in an MLS program. The awards recognizes outstanding achievements by individual or a group of individuals

AWARDS, GRANTS and Exchanges