Martin Dorrell Memorial Award

What you will need

• ✓ A 500-word essay about how you constantly strive to improve your writing and reporting skills and professionalism to raise the standards of journalism
• ✓ Submission through Holland College's awards portal

About this award

You can receive $510.00. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a student in Journalism & Communications who is dedicated to raising the standards of the profession through better writing and reporting. You must apply by November 1, 2026. When you apply, ask Holland College how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, the portal, or phone. Holland College lists this award's criteria on its official page (see Who qualifies). Ask Holland College how winners are picked among the students who meet them and how many usually apply, so you can judge your odds. Ask Holland College during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Holland College whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be enrolled in Journalism & Communications. To qualify, you must demonstrate a consistent strive to improve your writing, reporting skills, and professionalism with the intent of raising the standards of journalism.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Studying Journalism or Communications

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic summary of your grades. Instead, focus your 500-word essay on specific examples of how you have pushed yourself to improve your reporting and writing. Describe a moment where your professionalism helped raise the quality of a story.
• SupportAvoid submitting your essay without a second pair of eyes. Instead, ask a professor or a peer in the Journalism & Communications department to critique your draft for clarity and impact.
• StrategyAvoid ignoring the specific prompt about "raising the standards of journalism." Instead, explicitly connect your personal growth to the broader goal of improving the industry in your essay.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a guaranteed award based on enrollment alone. Instead, treat the 500-word essay as the main deciding factor and spend extra time polishing your prose.

Questions students ask

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