Journalists, editors eligible for $5,000 scholarships for college religion courses

(Columbus, Ohio) -- Religion Newswriters invites all working journalists, regardless of beat, to apply to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion program. The scholarships give full-time journalists up to $5,000 to cover the cost of taking college religion courses.

The scholarships can be used at any accredited college, university, seminary or similar institution. Journalists can take any course they choose as long as it is in the field of religion. Scholarships cover tuition, books, registration fees, parking and other costs. Online and travel courses are also included (as long as travel costs are a part of the curriculum).

All full-time journalists--including reporters, editors, designers, copy editors, editorial writers, news directors, researchers and producers--are eligible, regardless of whether or not they cover religion.

Journalists previously awarded scholarships have taken courses covering many topics including World Religions, Intro to Islam, Church History, Violence and Religion, and many more.

"This class (Church History) has made me a better journalist by expanding my knowledge base, challenging my own assumptions and helping me understand the context of contemporary religious issues," said Diane Haag, reporter, The Times (Shreveport, La).

This year's scholarship application deadlines are April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1.

Scholarships must be used within three academic quarters of their award date. Only full-time journalists working in the general circulation news media are eligible.

Religion Newswriters Association is the world's only journalism association for people who write about religion in the mainstream news media. The scholarships are offered through its non-profit arm, the Religion Newswriters Foundation, with funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Complete information about the Lilly Scholarships in Religion program is available at www.RNA.org. For questions, contact Amy Schiska at 614-891-9001 ext. 3#, or Schiska@RNA.org.