Department of Communication Disorders (CMD)

Southern Connecticut State University

The Department of Communication Disorders (CMD) at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) invites applications for departmental and university-administered scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarships are available to both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Communication Disorders.

Scholarships are awarded through two separate application pathways, depending on the funding source and award criteria. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application instructions for each scholarship.

Please note that all scholarships are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Important Dates & Submission Information

Application Deadline:
Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (EST)
This deadline is the same for all Scholarship Applications.

Applications Pathways

Application Pathway 1:

SCSU Foundation Common Scholarship Application: The following scholarships are awarded through the SCSU Foundation and alumni support. Applicants must apply using the University’s common scholarship application.

SCSU Foundation-Administered Scholarships

Michael Bruneau Communication Disorders Endowment Award (Graduate)
Applicants must be a matriculated, full-time graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology, have completed at least nine graduate semester credits, and have at least one additional semester remaining.

Ruth Landow Markle Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Applicants must be Communication Disorders majors, demonstrate strong academic performance, creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm, be full-time students entering the junior or senior year, and preference will be given to female students.

Besse and Harry Satosky Memorial Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students majoring in Communication Disorders and demonstrate high academic standing.

Carol Satosky-Druckman Scholarship (Graduate)
Applicants must be full-time graduate students in Communication Disorders and demonstrate high academic standing.

Robert and Lesley Herbst Endowed Scholarship (Graduate)
Applicants must be enrolled part-time or full-time in graduate study at SCSU, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate contributions to the University and community; financial need will also be considered.

For more information or to apply, go to:
https://inside.southernct.edu/foundation-scholarships

Application Pathway 2:

CMD Department Scholarship Application: The following scholarships require submission through the CMD Department Scholarship Application and are reviewed by the CMD Scholarship Committee.

CMD Department-Administered Scholarships:

Robert E. Jirsa Memorial Award (Undergraduate)
Funded by SCSU’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). This award is by invitation only and is presented to a graduating senior with a high GPA who has demonstrated exemplary academic performance and service to the university and/or the field of communication disorders. Three undergraduate seniors with the highest GPAs at the end of the fall semester will be invited to apply.

Kenneth T. Gist Promising Professional Scholarship (Graduate)
Funded by the Connecticut Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (CSHF). This scholarship is awarded at the Connecticut Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Spring Conference. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 75 graduate-level clinical clock hours, demonstrated outstanding clinical skills, and shown strong potential as an all-around professional.

Connecticut Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (CSHF) Scholarship (Graduate)
Applicants must be matriculated, full-time graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, have completed at least nine graduate semester credits, and have at least one additional academic year remaining in the program.

Required Materials - CMD Department Scholarships Only

Student Application Submission Instructions: Applicants must submit their application electronically. All requested information in the application must be completed, and submitted with their unofficial transcript (PDF) and a current résumé (PDF) by 5:00 pm on January 28, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered by the Scholarship committee. Students must use the following Application Form:

CMD Department Scholarship Application (Microsoft Forms):

SCSU CMD Scholarship Application 2026 – Fill out form

Faculty Recommendation Information: Each applicant must have TWO faculty recommendations submitted directly by the recommender to the Scholarship Committee using the following Recommendation Form:

CMD Department Scholarship Faculty Recommendation (Microsoft Forms):

Faculty Evaluation for Student Scholarship Recommendations – Fill out form

Application Deadline:
January 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Additional Notes:

• Hard-copy submissions will not be accepted
• Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed
• All uploaded documents must be submitted in PDF format, with the applicant’s name clearly labeled on each file

CMD Scholarship Committee Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on academic performance, strength of letters of recommendation, quality of written materials, evidence of professional potential, and eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship.

Questions regarding CMD-administered scholarships may be directed to:

Dr. Shawneen Buckley
Chair, CMD Scholarship Committee
buckleys7@southernct.edu