NAHJ awards a set of named scholarships each year to college-bound high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students planning careers in journalism at a four-year or community college in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. One application is considered for all funds: the Ruben Salazar General Fund ($2,000 or a sponsored trip to the NAHJ conference), Maria Elena Salinas ($2,500, English- or Spanish-language journalism), Cecilia Alvear ($5,000, aspiring producers), Lori Montenegro ($5,000, with a focus on Afro-Latino students), Dunia Elvir ($5,000, for applicants facing financial hardship or medical challenges), and the White House Correspondents' Association award ($6,000, politics/mentorship focus). Applicants submit a one-page resume, two letters of recommendation (not from relatives), an unofficial transcript, a 500-word essay on their interest in journalism, and up to three work samples. NAHJ's own materials cite a GPA floor as low as 2.8 in one place and 3.0 elsewhere. The 2026 cycle's deadline of December 28, 2025 has already passed; NAHJ has not yet posted 2027 dates.
Eligibility
Fields of studyJournalism
DemographicsNo heritage requirement is formally stated, though NAHJ serves Hispanic/Latino journalists; one named award (the Lori Montenegro Scholarship) specifically focuses on Afro-Latino students pursuing English- or Spanish-language journalism.
Applying
Several named awards under one application: Ruben Salazar General Fund $2,000 (or a sponsored trip to the NAHJ conference), Maria Elena Salinas $2,500, Cecilia Alvear $5,000, Lori Montenegro $5,000, Dunia Elvir $5,000, White House Correspondents' Association Scholarship $6,000.