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:

NAHJ Ada Lourdes Vigo Afro-Latino Scholarship – $2,500 – $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 White House Correspondents’ Association Scholarship – $3,000

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 Ana Real Scholarship – $5,000

The Ana Real Scholarship was created by CBS News to honor Real, an award-winning journalist who passed away in 2019. Ana was the foreign editor for several CBS News platforms, a long-time NAHJ member who also served as President of the New York chapter. This scholarship is intended for students interested in working behind the scenes in broadcast journalism (ex. producer, editor). 

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 2024 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 NAHJ 40th Anniversary Conference & Expo will be held July 8–13, 2024 in Hollywood, CA.

Jonathan Camuy Scholarship – $1,500

This scholarship is presented to a student studying Spanish-language journalism. It is named in memory of Jonathan Camuy, an NAHJ member, Telemundo employee, and victim of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. (Students applying for this scholarship must submit their essay in Spanish).

The *NEW* deadline to submit an NAHJ scholarship application is February 16, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

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. Apply via this link or with the button below.