The purpose of the Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU is to prepare high-potential students at the Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) Mto be leading communicators and innovators in journalism and media through academic engagement, professional development and mentorship. Students selected will be a part of the third cohort of Scholars to join the Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU. Alongside the 2023-24 cohort, students in the 2024-25 class will have the opportunity to build relationships and grow personally, professionally and academically.
A core component of the Disney Storytellers Fund at FAMU program includes the opportunity for eligible Scholars to participate in a summer internship at The Walt Disney Company. During the internship, Disney will offer specialized programming, including professional development, experiential learning opportunities, and a speaker series. During the fall and spring academic semesters, additional engagement will be provided by FAMU and Disney including one-on-one mentorship opportunities, career and academic development sessions, and presentations and engagement with experts.[KS1]
Scholars will receive tuition and housing scholarships and an additional stipend.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the program, scholars should be rising juniors enrolled as a student in SJGC degree programs; have a solid academic record; showcase demonstrated interest in journalism, media, public relations, or graphic design; and have a financial need.
In-state applicants are preferred. A selection committee comprised of FAMU, SJGC and Disney community members will review applications for the program. FAMU SJGC will make the final selection of scholars.
Students will receive up to $10,000 in scholarship per year based on their cost of attendance during their enrollment (fall/spring, total up to $20,000), plus a $1,375 annual stipend not to exceed 2 years. To receive a scholarship, students must be classified as juniors in fall 2024 and as seniors scheduled to graduate in spring or Summer 2026.
Applicants must:
- Have a 2.5 GPA or higher
- Submit a transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
- Submit a current resume
- Submit two recent letters of recommendation
- Submit a statement of professional goals
- Have a FAFSA on file in the FAMU Office of Financial Aid
Application Instructions
A completed application consists of a transcript, resume, recommendations, statement of goals, and scholarship form. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the selection committee.
Fill out the form and upload the following documents:
- Transcript
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of professional goals (450-word limit)
Recommendations Guidelines
Letters should be typed, dated, and include in what capacity the recommender knows you and the length of time. Recommenders must not be a family member.
Letters should be tailored for the Disney Storytellers Fund program. Prior recommendations written for other organizations will not be considered.
One letter should come from a current faculty member/instructor who can assess your scholastic record, co-curricular/extracurricular activity, and academic engagement.
The second letter may come from another supporter (faculty, staff, adviser, coach, mentor, employer, etc.).
Statement of Professional Goals
- Describe your long-term professional goals. You may include how your life experiences have influenced your career aspirations.
Statements of goals should be typed, dated, and include your name, school, major and classification at the top of the document. Your statement of goals should not have any spelling, formatting or grammatical errors. Carefully proofread your application before submitting it.