In my spare minutes away from my drawing board, and Twittering compulsively, I’m the president of the National Cartoonists Society Foundation, which runs a great scholarship program.  The deadline is approaching and I would encourage college cartoonists to apply – it costs nothing to apply, and if you win you get an all expenses paid trip to the glamorous Reuben Awards in sunny Hollywood, to met all of your cartoonist heroes, along with cash and cool parting gifts. Here’s the official information:

The annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship, in memory of the late King Features editor, was funded by an initial $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation/King Features Syndicate and additional generous donations from Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman, Patrick McDonnell and many other prominent cartoonists. Submissions are adjudicated by a panel of top cartoonists and an award is given to the best college cartoonist. The recipient is feted at the annual NCS Reuben Awards Convention attended by many of the world?s leading cartoonists.

Applicants must be college students in the United States, Canada or Mexico that will be in their Junior or Senior year of college during the 2009-2010 academic year. Applicants DO NOT have to be art majors to be eligible for this scholarship.

Along with a completed entry form, applicants  are required to send 5 samples of their own cartooning artwork; noting if and where the work has been published (either print  or web).Please send copies. DO NOT send original artwork.  THE DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 6, 2009

The applications will be judged by the National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF) and the number of scholarships given out and their amounts will be at the discretion of the NCSF.  Visit the NCSF site for more information at: http://cartoonistfoundation.org/