2024 Scholarships that Support Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion
 Equity, accessibility, and inclusion are concepts that are based on the understanding that some people have starting points in life that may not be the same as others. Social, mental, physical, and financial disadvantages may pose challenges that prevent students from seeking higher education. Fortunately, the ALA and its affiliates acknowledge these difficulties and have presented several scholarships that help library and information science students overcome these barriers. Check out the scholarships below and their guidelines to see which one you might qualify for! Many of these scholarships are available in one application! Check out ALA Scholarship Program | Education & Careers for information on how to apply.
Â
ALA Spectrum Scholarship
 Spectrum Scholarship Program | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues (ala.org)
What: The Spectrum Scholarship program provides scholarships to LIS students of American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, North African, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander backgrounds who are pursuing their degree at an accredited ALA institution. Provides $5,000 in tuition and $1,500 for professional development.
Deadline: March 1, 2024
Â
 ALA Century Scholarship
ALA Century Scholarship | Awards & Grants
What: A scholarship that provides $2,500 to students with disabilities who are pursuing their MLIS. The scholarship will assist with expenses or services needed that are currently not provided by the school, to assist the student in the completion of their degree.
Deadline: March 1, 2024
Â
Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Scholarship
APALA Scholarship – APALA (apalaweb.org)
What: The APALA Scholarship provides $2,000 for students of Asian or Pacific background, pursuing their master’s degree in LIS at an accredited ALA institution. The APALA is an organization affiliated with the ALA that supports librarianship for Asian and Pacific Americans and their communities.
Deadline: Opens January 30, 2024, closes March 31, 2024
Â
Sage & JCLC Inc. Nalco LIS Student Scholarship
What: Sage & the Joint Council of Librarians of Color Inc. awards one student (who is a member of the Black Caucus American Library Association) $2,000 for tuition.
Deadline: June 8, 2024Â Â
Â
REFORMA Scholarship
What: REFORMA offers $1,500 for new and current LIS students who are Spanish speakers or those who plan on serving the Spanish-speaking community. There is no restriction on age, sex, creed, national origin, or minority association for application.Â
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Â
Chinese American Library Associate (CALA)
CALA Scholarships | CALA Official Website (cala-web.org)
What: CALA offers several scholarships ranging from $500-$1,000. Applicants must be a member of CALA and meet requirements.
Deadline: March 30, 2024
Â
Be sure to check each scholarship for eligibility and submission guidelines. We hope you found these scholarships useful, and good luck with your applications!
