Start a journalism scholarship search with the kind of reporting you want to pursue and the enrollment period you need funded. The right opportunity may depend on broadcast or digital career goals, degree stage, community or membership criteria, and the work samples you can submit.
Read current application instructions rather than treating an old announcement saying “now open” as proof that applications are still accepted.
Compare journalism funding routes
Checked October 14, 2026. This is a selected list, not an exhaustive directory. Individual program criteria apply.
| Route | Who should investigate | Current published status | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTDNA Foundation scholarships | Eligible college students pursuing radio, television, or digital journalism | Application deadline October 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern; amount depends on award | Choose one eligible scholarship and submit the full application |
| AAJA scholarships and internships | Students whose goals and individual program criteria fit | Listed 2026 examples include closed cycles; Al Young Sports Journalism Scholarship lists $2,500 and a past January 21, 2026 deadline | Monitor the next verified program announcement |
| NAHJ scholarships | Eligible undergraduate/graduate journalism applicants under individual rules | Page contains a January 8, 2027 deadline but also outdated/conflicting deadline text | Confirm the applicable current deadline with NAHJ before relying on it |
Do not treat internship or conference support as tuition funding unless the specific terms permit that use. AAJA’s listings distinguish scholarships, internship grants, and conference-related grants. Review each AAJA category.
RTDNA: select one opportunity carefully
RTDNA’s current application portal says applicants may apply for only one scholarship or fellowship; multiple applications lead to disqualification. It distinguishes student scholarships from fellowships for early-career professionals. Current RTDNA portal rules.
The FAQ says a journalism, communications, or media major is not required if you are pursuing electronic journalism or broadcast media. Membership is not required. Noncitizens need a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number. RTDNA eligibility FAQ.
Check enrollment timing, not just your current status. RTDNA says December graduates are not eligible for a scholarship, and only certain named scholarships include graduate students. Read the individual award criteria before selecting your one application. RTDNA enrollment guidance.
Separate current application pages from old opening announcements
AAJA’s December 2025 announcement says its 2026 opportunities are open, but the deadlines printed on that announcement fall in January and April 2026—dates already past as of this check. Use its central listing and the individual current program rather than the announcement headline. AAJA announcement · Current listings.
NAHJ’s scholarship page mixes current-looking scholarship information with outdated application instructions. This guide deliberately does not label the entire page open or select one conflicting date as authoritative. Ask NAHJ which deadline and guidelines apply to your intended award. NAHJ scholarship page.
Choose clips that make your reporting contribution clear
For each work sample, identify the story, publication or class context, date, medium, and your role. Explain whether you reported, wrote, photographed, edited, produced, or contributed to a team. Do not imply sole authorship of collaborative coverage.
Choose evidence that fits the application. A hypothetical broadcast applicant could submit a permitted piece showing interviewing and verification. A written-reporting applicant could explain how documents and interviews supported a story. Follow the provider’s actual sample limits rather than assuming every medium is accepted.
Test links without your own login and include translations when required. RTDNA requests English application materials and a translation for non-English work samples. RTDNA language rules.
Protect the people in your reporting
Do not expose unpublished source identities, confidential notes, or private documents to make an application sound impressive. Use work you are authorized to share and explain your process without compromising commitments to sources.
In a statement, distinguish a story’s publication from its demonstrated impact. Do not invent audience figures, policy changes, or awards. A precise description of verification and editorial judgment can show growth without inflated outcomes.
Common questions
Must I major in journalism? Not for every award; RTDNA explicitly focuses on career direction rather than a required major. RTDNA FAQ.
Can I apply to several RTDNA awards? Its current portal allows one scholarship or fellowship application only. Portal rules.
What should I do first? Verify your enrollment and career fit, choose the applicable current program, and assemble compliant clips before drafting an essay.
