Investing in the Future
SAAHJ is dedicated to helping Latinos and young professionals of all backgrounds pursue their careers in journalism and other areas of the communications sector. Every year, we help advance these endeavors by awarding tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students at our annual scholarship gala.
Beginning at our 2020 gala to at least our 2023 gala, San Antonio native and New York Times best-selling author Shea Serrano provided our organization with funds to offer a $5,000 scholarship in his name to a student who is interested in becoming a journalist or a published author.
Scholarship Application
Applications for SAAHJ's 2024 scholarships are open now through Feb. 24. You can learn more about application requirements below.
Who can apply?
Graduating seniors enrolling in college and current full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in journalism or communications programs may apply. Students who commit to pursuing a career in the public relations industry may also apply.
Students must live in Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina or Wilson counties OR attend school in San Antonio. They must also be able to demonstrate financial need.
All students, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, are encouraged to apply.
What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship can be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
How do I apply?
Thanks to a partnership with the San Antonio Area Foundation, SAAHJ has an online scholarship application.
Applicants must create an account via the foundation's website at saafdn.org and log in to fill out the internal universal application.
What happens next?
A panel of media and public relations professionals will evaluate applications in the spring, once the window to apply has closed. Winners will be featured at the annual SAAHJ gala in 2024.
Who do I contact with questions?
Jennifer Ballesteros with the San Antonio Area Foundation can be reached at jballesteros@saafdn.org or by calling 210-775-6295.
Current and Past Recipients
SAAHJ 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Students will be awarded scholarships totaling $65,000 to pursue their education.
| Sergio Medina | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Achiraya Kurth | University of Texas at Austin |
| Noah Davila | Texas Tech University |
| Mia Aguirre | St. Edward's University |
| J’Lauren Thomas | Smith College |
| Flora Farr | University of Texas at Austin |
| Christopher Valdovinos | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Malena Earls | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Emma Siebold | Emerson College |
| Alejandra De La O | University of Texas at Austin |
| Miranda Ramirez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Mireya Escobar | Texas State University |
| Esteban Serrano | St. Mary's University |
| Jordan Jackson | St. Edward's University |
SAAHJ 2022 Scholarship Recipients
Students were awarded scholarships that totaled $40,000 to pursue their education.
| Abigail Velez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Brian Yancelson | Trinity University |
| Cristela Jones | University of Texas at Austin |
| Gabrielle Yanez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Marylynn Alvarado | University of Texas at Austin |
| Miranda Liguez | University of Texas at Austin |
| Olivia Hernandez | University of Texas at Austin |
| Raul Lopez | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Roy Jimenez | University of North Texas |
| Sergio Medina* | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Zoe Del Rosario | University of the Incarnate Word |
*Shea Serrano, a multiple New York Times-bestselling author and San Antonio native, funded a $5,000 scholarship for an outstanding Latino student. Sergio Medina was selected to receive this scholarship.
SAAHJ 2021 Scholarship Recipients
Students were awarded scholarships that totaled $35,000 to pursue their education.
| Antonio Bocanegra II | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Brian Yancelson | Trinity University |
| Roy Jimenez | University of North Texas |
| Autumn Kretzschmar | Cornell University |
| Victoria Velazquez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Cristela Jones | Texas State University - San Marcos |
| Gabrielle Yanez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Zoe Del Rosario | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Alisa Garza | Our Lady of the Lake University |
| Brianna Almaguer | University of Texas at San Antonio |
| Austin Martinez* | University of Texas at Austin |
*Shea Serrano, a multiple New York Times-bestselling author and San Antonio native, funded a $5,000 scholarship for an outstanding Latino student. Austin Martinez was selected to receive this scholarship.
SAAHJ 2020 Scholarship Recipients
Students were awarded scholarships that totaled $52,500 to pursue their education.
| Liandre De la Uso | Texas A&M-San Antonio |
| Karla Bello-Mondragon | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Brigid Cooley | Texas A&M-San Antonio |
| Samantha Ruvalcaba | St. Mary’s University |
| Austin Martinez | The University of Texas at Austin |
| Brian Yancelson | Trinity University |
| Molly Tilton | The University of Texas at Austin |
| Antonio Bocanegra II | University of the Incarnate Word |
| David Rojas | Texas A&M-San Antonio |
| Kailey Lopez | Trinity University |
| Noah Alcala Bach | University of Missouri |
| Melanie Salazar | Tarelton State University |
| Gabrielle Yanez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Briana Caballero | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Cristela Jones | Texas State University |
SAAHJ 2019 Scholarship Recipients
Students were awarded scholarships that totaled $40,000 to pursue their education.
| Nicole Bautista | Texas State University |
| Samantha Esparza | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Deandra Gonzalez | Texas State University |
| Annette Guerra-Armendariz | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Cameron Jones | University of Texas at Austin |
| Cristela Jones | Texas State University |
| Kailey Lopez | Trinity University |
| Bethany Melendez | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Renee Muniz | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Oziel Trevino-Munoz | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Christine Romero | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Samantha Salazar | St. Mary's University |
| Armando Villarreal | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
| Gabrielle Yanez | University of the Incarnate Word |