Each year, NAHJ helps students pursuing careers in journalism through scholarship support. NAHJ has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarship dollars, since the program began! Scholarships are granted to graduate and undergraduate students who plan to work in English and/or Spanish-language journalism on whichever platform they choose.

Students attending four-year colleges and community colleges in the United States and Puerto Rico, with a GPA of 2.8 or better are eligible for the scholarships. See the additional information (link below) for information on the materials you’ll need to submit.

These are the scholarships students can apply to this year:

*NEW* NAHJ Lori Montenegro Scholarship – $5,000

This is the inaugural year for the Lori Montenegro Scholarship, named in honor of an Afro-Latina who has made a lasting impact as an award-winning journalist at Telemundo Network. Lori Montenegro is a lifetime member of the NAHJ and a Hall of Fame inductee. She has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2020 First Amendment Clarity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Foundation. In 2019, she took on the role of bureau chief for Telemundo’s Washington D.C. bureau. This scholarship is open to all students, with a focus on Afro-Latino students pursuing careers in English or Spanish-language journalism or communications.

NAHJ White House Correspondents’ Association Scholarship – $3,500

This scholarship was created to help diversity the pool of journalists who report on the White House. Students who are pursuing a career in journalism, with a commitment to politics, may apply. The student who is awarded this scholarship will also be paired with a mentor, a journalist who covers the White House.

NAHJ Cecilia Alvear Scholarship – $5,000

This scholarship is named after former NAHJ president, Cecilia Alvear, who worked as a producer at NBC for 25 years and fought for the inclusion of Latinos in newsrooms. It is made possible through a gift from her partner, George Lewis. This scholarship is intended for a student who wishes to become a producer.

NAHJ Ada Lourdes Vigo Afro-Latino Scholarship – $5,000

This scholarship is named after Ada Lourdes Vigo (Fidler), an award-winning Afro-Latina journalist from Peru. The scholarship is funded by Roger Fidler, an electronic newspaper pioneer and Ada’s husband of 32 years. Afro-Latino students pursuing a career in English or Spanish-language journalism will be chosen. (Students pursuing Spanish-language journalism must submit their essay in Spanish).

NAHJ María Elena Salinas Scholarship – $2,500

Our longest running scholarship is made possible through a donation from NAHJ founding member María Elena Salinas. Formerly exclusively for students desiring a career in Spanish-language journalism, it is now offered to students pursuing careers in either English or Spanish-language. (Students pursuing Spanish-language journalism must submit their essay in Spanish).

NAHJ Rubén Salazar (General Scholarship Fund) – $2,000

The NAHJ Rubén Salazar Scholarship Fund was established in 1986 to assist young Latino journalists. The scholarship fund is named after Mexican-American journalist Rubén Salazar who was a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and the news director for the Spanish-language television station KMEX.

In lieu of receiving scholarship dollars, students can qualify for a sponsored trip to the 2025 national conference. It includes: registration, flight, double-occupancy hotel room, one ticket to NAHJ special events and a food stipend. This is not the NAHJ Student Project where students receive hands-on training with mentors for a week, but rather students attending on their own. They will have access to training for young professionals, resume and work sample critiques, and networking & recruitment opportunities. The 2025 NAHJ Conference and Expo will be held July 8-12, 2025, at the Hilton Chicago.

See more information below on the application and the materials you’ll need to submit. Some of the scholarships require essays that relate to a particular field or subject matter, so be sure to check the guidelines before you submit.

DEADLINE: December 20, 2024 – 11:59 pm PST