Court Reporting Scholarships
Choose Judicial Reporting or Captioning/CART Specialties
Court Reporters are among those folks who are most low profile in a courtroom, but whose expertise is most relied upon. Judicial or legal transcriptionists take notes that reflect exact legal proceedings. Technically court reporters work with stenographic machines or voice-activated recorders, later transcribing proceedings. The work requires speed and dexterity, as well as language and vocabulary skills. Professionals will choose to work as freelancers or as employees of the court, and choose from specialties related to judicial reporting or captioning and CART (communication access real-time transcription).
Professional court reporters may be employed in any environment where a legal proceeding must be recorded with the utmost detail. Those whose specialty is in CART may also work in the broadcast industry where captioning for the hearing impaired is in high demand.
Professional Association Scholarships
The National Court Reporter's Foundation provides student members with a handful of scholarships. Applicants must be members and be enrolled in an accredited NCRA training program:
- Student Intern Scholarships are awarded to students who have been recently involved in internship program. Applicants must have top GPAs and exude a very professional demeanor.
- Second Year Student Scholarships are, of course, awarded to second-year court reporting students. Applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA as well as demonstrate the ability to pass skills tests. Awards are close to $1500.
- The New Professional Reporter Grant is awarded to a first year graduate of a program who is highly recommended by an employer. Eligible applicants are also considered based on their former academic record in combination with professional demeanor and workplace performance.
- The Frank Sarli Scholarship awards up to $2,000 to a current student in an accredited court reporting program. Qualified applicants must have top GPAs as well as top scores in skills tests to be considered. Recipient is chosen at random from the pool of qualified candidates.
- The NCRF offers the Student with a Disability Scholarship. Applicants must have a disability and be enrolled in a court reporting training program to qualify. Other criteria include skills tests and a high GPA as well as professional demeanor.
The Colorado Association of Legal Support Staff funds the Gwendolyn S. Duran Memorial Scholarship. Applicants may be students in a court reporting, paralegal or related program. Besides outstanding academic record, qualified applicants must demonstrate financial need; submit a personal essay supporting their career goals along with a letter of recommendation from faculty. Awards are $1,000.
Students in Texas interested in pursuing the field of Court Reporting may decide to enroll at one of the career or professional schools, such as the Court Reporting Institute of Dallas. Students may qualify for the uniquely designed Career Colleges and Schools of Texas Scholarships. These awards are given to hundreds of students enrolled in professional programs each year. Typical awards are $1,000 per academic year.
Student members of the Ohio Court Reporters Association may apply for the Rosalie Stevens Student Scholarship. Applicants are chosen for academic excellence and passion for the field. Awards are $500.
College Scholarships
You will find that most court reporting programs are administered by community colleges. Programs are distinctly professional in nature and often come with certificate or Associates degrees versus traditional liberal arts programs that offer four-year degrees in majors that require a more expansive curriculum. This is just a very brief list of programs.
Clark State Community College in Ohio administers the Kay Frazier Court Reporting Scholarship to students pursuing programs in Judicial Reporting or Judicial Broadcasting/CART. The award is open to new students and academic criteria are based on past academic performance. Students may receive up to $500.
Students enrolled in the Court Reporting program at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama may apply for the Mary Lambert Court Reporting Scholarship.
The Karen Downey Court Reporting Scholarship is open to students enrolled in the program at Alvin Community College in Texas. Up to $700 a year may be awarded to outstanding full-time students.
There are many programs that train court reporters from certificate to bachelors degree programs. You can always contact your state's court reporting association for regional or local programs, including any scholarships they may sponsor.
