Student Scholarships for Your Degree Program

Kennesaw State offers scholarships to incoming freshmen, currently enrolled students, and transfer students through the Office of Scholarships.

How to Apply

The Kennesaw State scholarship application portal is open November 1 through March 15 every year. You can apply for scholarships in the Scholarship Application Portal. Please note any extra essays or letters of recommendation that may be required for specific scholarships.

In addition to scholarships at the University and College-level, TCID offers three scholarships specifically to our students.

Graduation cap and book on a wooden table.

Ken and Elaine Rainey Endowed Scholarship

The Kenneth and Elaine Rainey Endowed Scholarship will provide assistance to full time juniors in the Department of Technical Communication and Interactive Design with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their major and a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Students must have a minimum of 18 hours within the major, with a minimum of six hours in courses beyond Area F and no more than 90 hours towards graduation by the end of the fall semester prior to the March application deadline.

Dr. Kenneth Rainey (1936-2006) spent his career teaching at Tulane University, Jackson State University, Mississippi College, Ohio State University and the University of Memphis. His final teaching position was at Southern Polytechnic State University where he taught from 1989 until 2006. He served as chairman of the Department of Digital Writing and Media Arts for three years and taught a wide range of graduate courses, including document design, graphics, multimedia, technical writing and editing and research methods.

Dr. Rainey inspired both students and faculty alike to pursue a lifelong commitment to learning and service. He was recognized internationally for his excellence in teaching, research and service. He was named a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and he received the STC's Jay Gould Award for excellence in teaching technical communication, Southern Polytechnic's Outstanding Faculty Award in 1992 and Southern Polytechnic's Teacher of the Year Award in 2001.

Sargent Major John J. Burns Scholarship

The Sgt. Maj. John J. Burns Scholarship will assist full time junior or senior students majoring in the Department of Technical Communication and Interactive Design with a minimum 3.0 GPA.  This scholarship is renewable pending an annual scholarship application submission. 

Dr. Thomas K. Burns received two degrees from Southern Polytechnic State University - a bachelor of science in technical and professional communication and a master of science in information design and communication. Dr. Burns established this scholarship to honor his father Sergeant Major John J. Burns. Sergeant Major Burns served as a combat soldier during World War II and was later deployed on two occasions to Vietnam. During his 27-year military career, he was a writer, photographer and publicist for the United States Army. He died while serving in 1967. Honoring the memory of Sergeant Major Burns, this scholarship supports students who pursue their education in the technical communication field.