§ Journalism

Journalism programs for high schoolers.

163 programs indexed in journalism. 81 are free or pay a stipend. 14 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new journalism program.

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All journalism programs

Maine Community Foundation
Agnes Freyer Gibbs Scholarship Fund
Graduating Maine high-school students intending to pursue journalism or related print, broadcast, or electronic-media fields can compete for renewable support.
📍 ME🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
📍 Washington, D.C.⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Freedom Forum
Al Neuharth Free Spirit Conference
All-expenses-paid journalism conference + $1,000 scholarship for 51 students.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 week📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Amplify Utah (with The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah College Media Alliance and partners)
Amplify Utah High School Newsroom
A statewide initiative building a pipeline for high school journalism, publishing student commentary and stories through media partners including The Salt Lake Tribune. Students submit stories and images by email and are credited when partners republish them.
📍 Utah (statewide, submit online)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arizona Interscholastic Press Association
Arizona Interscholastic Press Association (AIPA)
Statewide association supporting middle and high school journalism programs (newspaper, yearbook, web, broadcast, literary magazine) with a fall contest, Student Journalist of the Year award, and adviser resources.
📍 Statewide, AZ📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arkansas Scholastic Press Association
Arkansas Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention
A statewide convention for student journalists offering on-site and mail-in contests across yearbook, newspaper, broadcast and social media production, plus workshops, keynote speakers, and General Excellence and All-Arkansas awards.
📍 Fayetteville, AR📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
AAJA
Asian American Journalists Association JCamp
Free six-day multicultural journalism program for high school students.
📍 Rotating (US)⏱ 6 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
News Literacy Project
ASNE High School Journalism Institute
Free media-literacy and journalism resources and student programs.
📍 Online📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mississippi Scholastic Press Association / University of Mississippi
Best of Mississippi Student Media Competition
Students at MSPA-member publications compete for individual and publication awards in newspaper/magazine/site, yearbook, broadcast, and literary-magazine categories. All MSPA contests are free to enter.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation
Bieri Family Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship for an LCPS senior majoring in broadcast journalism at NMSU.
📍 NM🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Southern Mississippi School of Media and Communication
Broadcast Boot Camp
A free five-day summer program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from underserved Mississippi communities, offering hands-on experience creating digital and television news with professional equipment, run with the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and Mississippi Scholastic Press Association.
📍 Hattiesburg, MS📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
Broadcast Journalism Camp
A weeklong residential camp where high schoolers (ages 14-18) get full access to state-of-the-art TV studios to produce their own news or sports video story from start to finish, including shooting, interviewing, writing, and editing.
📍 University Park, PA (Penn State)📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
C-SPAN
C-SPAN StudentCam
Annual student documentary competition on public policy.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Café Coordinators
High-school students organize monthly Teen Science Cafés, select topics, recruit speakers, market events and lead public science programming.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Alabama, College of Communication & Information Sciences
CAMP (Communication and Media Preview)
A six-day, five-night immersive experience for high schoolers to build skills in broadcasting, journalism, media production, writing and public speaking while living on the UA campus and working with current technology alongside faculty.
📍 University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Camp Cronkite
Students learn interviewing, news and feature writing, visual storytelling, videography, podcasting, producing, weather reporting, social media, and personal branding.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
ThreeSixty Journalism, University of St. Thomas
Capitol Reporting Workshop
Free winter workshop for Twin Cities high school students on legislative reporting: youth-led news teams work with local journalists to produce 700-800 word stories and multimedia content, culminating in Youth Day at the Capitol. 18 competitive spots; $200 stipend on completion.
📍 St. Paul, MN📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of South Carolina (successor site)
Carolina Journalism Institute
Residential journalism/reporting/media experience; USC's own sc.edu page for this program is now dead, this successor site is the live source.
📍 SC🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Carolina Sports Journalism Camp
A four-day residential workshop for rising high school juniors/seniors interested in sports and media, covering play-by-play, sports writing, and sports photography through classroom study and newsroom practice.
📍 Chapel Hill, NC📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Ball State University College of Communication, Information, and Media
CCIM+ Summer Workshops
High-school students choose specialized workshops such as student-media leadership, post-production and visual effects, esports, or speech and communication.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Freedom Forum
ChiPS Chips Quinn Scholars (pipeline)
Diversity journalism pipeline programs for students of color.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media
A fully paid one-week workshop for 12 selected rising high school seniors with a career interest in journalism, combining classroom study, real-world reporting, and professional mentors.
📍 Chapel Hill, NC📅 March🎓 Grade 12
Highly Selective
CSPA
Columbia Scholastic Press Association Awards
Top awards recognizing student newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Marquette University Diederich College of Communication
Communicating the Story of You (Marquette Pre-College Workshop)
A two-day on-campus pre-college workshop where high school students use storytelling to explore communication careers, with multimedia storytelling, photovoice and daily trips to local newsrooms and agencies.
📍 Milwaukee, WI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Columbia Scholastic Press Association
CSPA Spring Convention
A three-day national scholastic journalism convention at Columbia University offering 250+ sessions on newspaper, yearbook, magazine, online media, and broadcast journalism for student editors and advisers, plus an on-site critique service and the Crown Awards.
📍 New York, NY📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Lewis & Clark College
Data in Action: Sustainability, Science, and Storytelling
A six-day residential precollege program where high schoolers use environmental datasets to build interactive data stories, learning data wrangling and ethical data visualization to advocate for a sustainable future.
📍 Portland, OR📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Delaware Press Association
Delaware Press Association High School Communications Contest
Annual statewide journalism and communications contest for Delaware student writers, photographers, and media makers, with first-place winners advancing to a national competition.
📍 Delaware📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Detroit Writing Room / Wayne State University Journalism Institute for Media Diversity
Detroit Writing Room Summer Journalism Camp
A two-week day camp at Wayne State's Journalism Institute for Media Diversity where high school students learn reporting and writing skills from 30+ professional journalists and publish articles on environmental, health, or equity issues in Perspectives Magazine.
📍 Detroit, MI (Wayne State University)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Digital Expressions Media Camp
Students use professional video and audio equipment to produce news programming, DJ on campus radio, learn videography/editing and visit broadcast organizations. The 2026 camp cost $200.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of North Dakota Department of Communication
Digital Storytelling Summit
Students spend several days reporting, filming and producing multimedia stories while learning journalism and media production from UND faculty and professionals.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Elon University School of Communications
Emerging Journalists Program
Multi-stage journalism program combining virtual instruction, a selective residential summer immersion, college credit and senior-year professional mentoring.
📍 NC🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Oregon Journalism Education Association (OJEA)
Fall Media Day / Spring Media Day
Annual scholastic journalism and yearbook conferences co-hosted with the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication -- Fall Media Day in Eugene and Spring Media Day in Portland -- featuring keynote sessions and on-site writing, photography, and quiz-bowl contests.
📍 Eugene and Portland, OR📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters
Families in Broadcasting Scholarship
Graduating seniors whose parent or guardian works for an eligible NHAB member station may apply for this education award.
📍 NH🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Center for Civic Values / NMAA
Gene Franchini New Mexico High School Mock Trial
Students serve as attorneys and witnesses, prepare cases with attorney coaches and compete through qualifiers and state finals. Separate courtroom journalism and courtroom art divisions also exist.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Georgia Scholastic Press Association / UGA Grady College
Georgia Scholastic Press Association Summer Media Academy
GSPA's Summer Media Academy offers week-long courses in advertising/PR, broadcast journalism, entertainment/media studies, and multimedia journalism for students ages 14-17 on UGA's Athens campus.
📍 University of Georgia, Athens, GA📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Minnesota High School Press Association (MHSPA, a division of NSPA)
Gold Medallion Contest / Journalist of the Year
Minnesota's scholastic journalism association hosts an annual Fall Convention (2026: October 8 at the University of Minnesota) featuring the Gold Medallion Contest, which recognizes top student media work in seven categories (broadcast, newspaper/newsmagazine, yearbook, photojournalism, online, social media, and literary arts magazine), alongside a statewide Journalist of the Year award and Best of Show critiques.
📍 Minneapolis, MN📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Garden State Scholastic Press Association (GSSPA)
GSSPA Student Journalism Programs
New Jersey's scholastic journalism association, running an annual contest (yearbook, print, broadcast, online categories), a Fall Student Press Day conference, an NJ All-Star Journalism Team recognition, and the Kilgore and Stevens scholarships for student journalists.
📍 Rutgers University and other NJ sites📅 July🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Maine Community Foundation
Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship
Graduates of Maine high schools pursuing journalism or closely related media fields can receive substantial renewable awards based on journalism commitment, academics, and financial need.
📍 ME🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Hawaii Scholastic Journalism Association
Hawaiʻi Scholastic Journalism Association – Journalism Day & Awards
Statewide network supporting student journalists through the annual Journalism Day conference, the Hawaiʻi Journalist of the Year award, and the Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards competition.
📍 Statewide (recent events at UH Mānoa and McKinley High School)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Prep Academy
High School Digital and Social Media Marketing Overnight Camp
Students explore digital/social marketing strategy, creativity and careers while living on UNO's campus. The 2026–27 youth-program page confirms the camp will return; CBA Prep camps are free except for a waivable $20 registration deposit.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
WHYY
High School Journalism Camp
A two-week, hands-on journalism program where high schoolers develop real-world reporting experience, finding stories on their own beat, interviewing sources, and writing and producing original news stories in WHYY's student newsroom.
📍 Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Indiana University Bloomington
High School Journalism Institute
Students receive intensive journalism training in areas such as reporting, editing, documentary work, student media, and sports journalism while living and learning on IU's campus.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Ohio University, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
High School Journalism Workshop
A five-day residential workshop where students choose from eight tracks -- news reporting, broadcast, magazine, public relations, visual storytelling, sports writing, and podcasting -- with mentorship from professional journalists and OU faculty.
📍 Athens, OH (Ohio University)📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Montana Media Lab / University of Montana School of Journalism
High School Reporting Workshop
Annual journalism workshop for Montana high-school students featuring intensive reporting and audio-storytelling instruction with professional and university mentors. The 2026 workshop was offered free to participants.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
New Hampshire Press Association
High School Student Journalism Awards
High-school journalists enter published reporting, features, graphics, multimedia and related work produced through New Hampshire student-media programs. The 2026 entry fee was $8 per submission.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
State Historical Society of Iowa
History Podcast Camp
Students research Iowa history, conduct interviews, write scripts, learn audio storytelling, and produce their own podcast segment with help from museum staff and media professionals. The three-day camp costs $200.
📍 IA🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
West Chester University
iCamp Academy
A free, week-long residential media program for rising juniors and seniors from Philadelphia and neighboring communities, who choose a track in audio production, game development, video production, website development, or digital storytelling.
📍 West Chester, PA (West Chester University)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Idaho Journalism Workshop
Idaho Journalism Workshop
An annual summer workshop for high school yearbook and journalism staffs covering theme development, photography, layout design, caption writing, and social media marketing, held at a Boise hotel each July.
📍 Boise, ID📅 July🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Illinois High School Association / Illinois Journalism Education Association
IHSA Journalism Tournament
Statewide onsite journalism competition where students complete writing, editing, or design assignments under deadline pressure at seven sectional sites, with top finishers advancing to state finals.
📍 Illinois (seven sectional sites)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Interscholastic League Press Conference (UIL)
ILPC Spring Convention
An annual spring convention at UT Austin with more than 100 instructional sessions on journalism skills, legal issues, and careers for student journalists and advisers. The event announces Star Awards and recognizes the Texas high school journalism educator of the year.
📍 Austin, TX📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University Interscholastic League, Interscholastic League Press Conference
ILPC Summer Workshop
A three-day summer journalism workshop with tracks in UIL contest preparation, design and production, video storytelling and photojournalism, taught by experienced journalism instructors. Open to students and advisers at all levels.
📍 San Marcos, TX📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa High School Press Association (University of Iowa School of Journalism)
Iowa High School Press Association Fall Conference
An annual October conference for student journalists and advisers featuring skill-building workshops, plus nine year-round contests recognizing journalism excellence for IHSPA member schools.
📍 Iowa (hosted by University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication)📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Iowa Summer Journalism Workshops
Students choose intensive tracks such as investigative reporting, broadcast journalism, personal writing, photojournalism, graphic design, social-media storytelling, sports storytelling, or publication leadership during a residential five-day workshop.
📍 IA🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Colorado Student Media Association
J-Day (Colorado Student Media Association)
An annual day-long journalism conference at Colorado State University for middle and high school student journalists, featuring guest-led sessions and a Best of Show competition.
📍 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Jayhawk Media Workshop
High-school students spend four days producing journalism, video, photography, websites, yearbooks, and multimedia content with university and high-school journalism instructors. Scholarships are available.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers (VAJTA) / James Madison University
jCamp Scholastic Journalism Summer Workshop
A hands-on in-person journalism workshop at James Madison University where student journalists choose breakout sessions in photography, writing, design, law and ethics, and social media and report on the Harrisonburg community.
📍 Harrisonburg, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Purchase College, SUNY
Journalism & Introduction to Multimedia Production
Students practice reporting, interviewing, writing and multimedia storytelling.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Kettle Moraine Press Association (UW-Whitewater)
KEMPA Fall Scholastic Journalism Conference
Kettle Moraine Press Association's fall scholastic journalism conference at UW-Whitewater for high school student journalists and advisers, alongside KEMPA's summer journalism camp and contests.
📍 Whitewater, WI📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Kettle Moraine Press Association (KEMPA)
KEMPA Summer Journalism Camp (UW-Whitewater)
A four-day journalism camp at UW-Whitewater where students choose daily workshops in broadcasting, writing, sports media and photojournalism, hear from media professionals and compete in the KEMPA Cup, with overnight or commuter options.
📍 Whitewater, WI📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Kenyon Review
Kenyon Review Young Writers (Online Program & Publication)
The official high school literary magazine of the Kenyon Review, accepting poetry and prose globally. Virtual workshops also available.
📍 Online/Kenyon College⏱ Annual publication📅 May (Summer Review)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation High School Journalism
Various Knight-funded high school journalism programs and fellowships.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Pennsylvania
Knowledge@Wharton Comment & Win
Monthly free contests where students comment on Knowledge@Wharton articles for cash prizes.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Monthly🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
KUNR Public Radio / University of Nevada, Reno Reynolds School of Journalism / Washoe County School District
KUNR Youth Media Internship
Washoe County high-school students train as reporters and produce interviews, audio diaries, commentaries and news stories that are published or broadcast by KUNR.
📍 NV🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
City Bureau
Local News for Teens Internships (CityBureau Documenters)
Paid civic journalism documenters program in select cities.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
LSU Manship School of Mass Communication / Louisiana Scholastic Press Association
LSPA Conference
A statewide conference and media competition for Louisiana high school student journalists, featuring workshops on writing, digital storytelling, photography, and yearbook production, plus a student media contest across newspaper, broadcast, yearbook, radio, and social media categories.
📍 Baton Rouge, LA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NESCom, Husson University
Maine Media Camp
A week-long residential media and communications camp at Husson University for students entering sophomore through senior year, covering journalism, video production, photography, and audio engineering alongside NESCom faculty.
📍 Husson University, Bangor, ME🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Maine Press Association
Maine Press Association Scholarship
A need-based scholarship for Maine high school seniors and college students pursuing journalism, awarded based on internship or student-news experience, a cover letter, resume, and writing samples.
📍 Statewide, ME📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association (MDCSPA)
Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association
A nonprofit partnered with the Philip Merrill College of Journalism that offers free membership to high school journalism students and teachers, hosting J-Day, a Fall Workshop, and the Maryland Journalist of the Year contest.
📍 Maryland and DC region📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Massachusetts Scholastic Press Association (MASPA)
Massachusetts High School Journalist of the Year
An annual statewide award honoring the top individual high school journalist in Massachusetts, with the winner advancing to the National High School Journalist of the Year competition.
📍 Massachusetts (statewide)📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
City of Cambridge Office of Workforce Development
Media Arts Internship
Cambridge teens can participate in a paid school-year STEAM internship centered on media and creative production.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media
Media Mavericks
Students explore journalism, integrated marketing communications, ethical media, digital storytelling, and multimedia production while creating a final showcase project.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Media Now / Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Media Now
High-school journalists spend four residential days developing skills in reporting, photography, design, video, sports broadcasting, multimedia storytelling, and communication. The 2027 camp is scheduled for July 6–9 and regular registration costs $575.
📍 IA🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Susquehanna University
MediaWorks Studio
Journalism/media pre-college institute.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 10, 12
Moderate
Northwestern Medill
Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
Five-week premier high school journalism program.
📍 Evanston, IL⏱ 5 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
Minnesota High School Press Association (a division of NSPA)
MHSPA Journalism Convention
A statewide convention for high school journalists and advisers featuring workshops on ethical reporting and journalism skills, alongside All State Awards, the Gold Medallion Contest, Best of Show Awards, and Journalist of the Year recognition across print, broadcast, online, photojournalism, and yearbook categories.
📍 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
MDDC Press Foundation
Michael S. Powell High School Journalist of the Year
An annual $1,500 cash award honoring an outstanding senior member of a high school newspaper staff in Maryland, Delaware, or DC, presented at the MDDC Editorial Awards ceremony.
📍 Maryland (statewide)📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences)
MIPA Fall Conference & Contests
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association's annual Fall Conference at the Lansing Center plus statewide individual contests spanning newspaper, yearbook, broadcast and online media categories for middle and high school journalists.
📍 East Lansing / Lansing, MI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association / MSU School of Journalism
MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop
A five-day residential workshop on MSU's campus, running since 1984, where students entering grades 7-12 develop print and digital journalism skills in classrooms and studios alongside professional instructors.
📍 East Lansing, MI📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Missouri
Mizzou High School Journalism Workshops
Summer journalism workshops at the nation's oldest J-school.
📍 Columbia, MO⏱ 1-2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maine Press Association
MPA Journalism Scholarship
A scholarship of up to $2,000 for Maine high school seniors headed to college who show a demonstrated commitment to journalism through internships, employment, or student news work, plus financial need.
📍 Statewide, ME📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
ThreeSixty Journalism / Minnesota Public Radio
MPR NEWS Radio Camp
High-school students learn interviewing, radio writing, field reporting, audio recording, and editing at MPR headquarters and produce original stories for Minnesota Public Radio platforms. Students receive a stipend after completing their work.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mississippi Scholastic Press Association
MSPA Fall Convention (Best of MS Contests)
A statewide convention for high school student journalists, photographers, and yearbook/literary-magazine staff featuring competitions, keynote speakers, and workshops led by professional journalists; MSPA also gives student media advisers free JEA membership and curriculum resources.
📍 Oxford / Hattiesburg, MS (rotating convention sites)📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
ThreeSixty Journalism / University of St. Thomas
Multimedia Storytelling Institute
Twin Cities high-school students spend three weeks reporting, interviewing, writing, filming, and editing professional-quality multimedia journalism with working journalists. Tuition was fully covered in 2026 and students received a stipend after completing their published work.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media / NC Scholastic Media Association
N.C. Scholastic Media Institute
A multi-day institute for high school journalism students (and their teachers) covering online news, yearbook, literary magazine, photojournalism, newspaper, design, and broadcast news.
📍 Chapel Hill, NC📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
New England Newspaper & Press Association
NENPA Journalism Scholarships
Scholarships of up to $2,000 for New England high school seniors, including Vermont residents, who plan to study journalism, plus the MacGregor Fiske Award for an exceptional student journalist.
📍 New England (Vermont residents eligible)📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
New England Scholastic Press Association (Boston University College of Communication)
NESPA Spring Conference
An annual scholastic journalism conference at Boston University where high school student journalists and advisers from across New England attend panels, workshops, and awards ceremonies covering newspapers, yearbooks, broadcast, and photojournalism.
📍 Boston, MA (Boston University College of Communication)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC) / New England Newspaper & Press Association
New England High School Journalism Collaborative Summer Workshop
A one-week, all-expense-paid summer workshop at Simmons University in Boston where high school students learn reporting, writing, editing and multimedia production and produce their own newspaper under deadline pressure with professional journalists.
📍 Simmons University, Boston, MA📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC)
New England High School Journalism Collaborative Summer Workshop
A fully-funded, residential week-long workshop (June 20-27, 2026) at Simmons University in Boston where New England high schoolers learn to report, write, edit, and produce multimedia journalism, publishing a newspaper under deadline pressure.
📍 Boston, MA (Simmons University)📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
NJ School Boards Association / Garden State Film Festival
New Jersey Hometown Documentary Short
Students write, direct, and shoot a documentary of five minutes or less about their hometown. Entry is free; finalists screen at the Garden State Film Festival and the winning school receives $500 for film/video equipment.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
New Mexico Scholastic Press Association / NMAA
New Mexico Scholastic Publications State Competition
State championship for New Mexico student newspapers, yearbooks and journalism programs, with individual publication categories and a Journalist of the Year award. The association is free to join.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Student Press Law Center
New Voices Student Press Freedom
Youth advocacy network defending student press freedoms.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The New York Times Learning Network
New York Times Personal Narrative Contest
Annual personal narrative writing contest for teens 13-19.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Fall🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Syracuse University Newhouse School
Newhouse Summer Immersion NYC
Rising juniors and seniors spend a week in New York City exploring professional media and communications. The 2026 fee was $995.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters
NHAB Student Broadcaster Scholarship
New Hampshire residents pursuing postsecondary education can compete for broadcast/media scholarships, including awards of $2,500 and a larger Al Sprague Memorial award.
📍 NH🎓 Grade 12
Selective
UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
North Carolina Scholastic Media Association
Serves scholastic journalism statewide through fall regional workshops, a summer institute, a sports journalism camp, and contests including Journalist of the Year and statewide media awards.
📍 Chapel Hill, NC (regional workshops at ECU, NC State, Appalachian State)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NPR
NPR Student Podcast Challenge
Free annual podcasting contest. Submit a 3-8 minute podcast. Winning student is featured on NPR.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 April🎓 Grades 5–12
Selective
National Speech and Debate Association
NSDA Nationals
Largest US speech and debate tournament. Qualify through your district. Substantial scholarships for finalists.
📍 Rotating US city⏱ 1 week📅 Not yet announced — check official site for next cycle🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
National Scholastic Press Association
NSPA Best of the High School Press
National recognition program for student publications.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Baruch College
NYC Public High School Journalism Conference
Free annual conference with reporting workshops, journalism/AI sessions, professional journalists and the Newsies student journalism awards. About 200 students from 26 NYC public high schools attended in 2026.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Learning Network Contests
Free monthly writing, photo, and podcast contests for teens 13–19 worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Personal Narrative Contest
Annual short personal narrative contest for teens. 600 words. Free entry.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Student Editorial Contest
Free annual contest for students aged 13-19 to write a 450-word evidence-based editorial. Top entries are published by the Times.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NYT / NABJ / NAHJ
NYT Student Journalism Institute
Paid summer journalism program at The New York Times for diverse students.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Summer📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Summer Academy
Journalism, filmmaking, and writing courses taught by Times journalists. Limited need-based aid.
📍 NY / Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
The New York Times
NYT Summer Reading Contest
Each summer week, students pick a Times piece and write 350 words about it. Free; winners published.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 June-August🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Oklahoma Gaylord College
Oklahoma Institute for Duty to Journalism
Week-long journalism workshop in reporting, writing, media creation and journalism's civic role.
📍 OK🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
YMCA Youth and Government Oklahoma
Oklahoma Youth & Government
Students take on roles in simulated state government, legislation, law and media while developing civic-leadership skills.
📍 OK🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
ThreeSixty Journalism, University of St. Thomas
Opinion Writing Workshop
Free four-Saturday competitive workshop (Oct 3, 10, 24, 31) where 15-18 Twin Cities high school students develop publishable opinion pieces on community topics with media professionals; participants receive a $200 stipend on completion. Priority deadline Sept 16, rolling admission afterward; lunch and snacks provided.
📍 St. Paul, MN📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oregon Journalism Education Association
Oregon Journalist of the Year
Portfolio competition recognizing Oregon's top graduating student journalist.
📍 OR🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Oklahoma Scholastic Media (OU Gaylord College)
OSM Media Days
Twice-yearly journalism conferences on the OU-Norman campus for Oklahoma scholastic media students, featuring professional-led workshops and seminars, monthly student media contests judged by professionals, and an awards ceremony.
📍 Norman, OK📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Ohio Scholastic Media Association (OSMA)
OSMA Student Journalism Regional Workshops & State Convention
A statewide network for Ohio's student journalists and advisers that runs fall regional workshops (hosted by Kent State, BGSU, University of Cincinnati, and Mount Vernon Nazarene) and an annual state convention for scholastic newspaper, yearbook, and broadcast staff.
📍 Regional universities statewide; Kent State University (state convention host)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
PBS
PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Network of student newsrooms producing stories for PBS.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
PSPA
Pennsylvania School Press Association Regional Competitions
Journalism across 16 categories.
📍 PA🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Princeton University
Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Fully free 10-day intensive for low-income rising seniors with strong journalism interest. All travel, room, and board paid. Participants get a 4-year journalism mentor.
📍 Princeton, NJ⏱ 10 days📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Princeton University
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
A free, year-long college preparation and journalism program for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds, aiming to diversify fields that impact democracy. Includes a multi-week summer intensive (virtual and on-campus) and personalized college advising.
📍 Multiple🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
Quill and Scroll
Quill and Scroll International Writing Contest
Writing and photography contest for student journalists.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Rhode Island Press Association
R.I. Press Association Journalism Scholarship
An annual $1,000 scholarship competition for Rhode Island high school seniors or college students planning a journalism career, requiring a letter of nomination from a teacher plus a resume and writing samples.
📍 Rhode Island (statewide)📅 April🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Red River Valley Writing Project at NDSU
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - North Dakota Writing Region
The North Dakota regional affiliate for the writing categories of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, open to students in grades 7-12 submitting poetry, flash fiction, journalism, screenwriting, and other original writing.
📍 Fargo, ND📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Writing Awards
Regional and national recognition for student writers in 11 categories. Need-based fee waivers available.
📍 Regional + national⏱ Self-paced📅 Sept-Dec by region🎓 Grades 7–12
Moderate
Eudora Welty House & Garden / Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Writing Awards - Mississippi Region
The Mississippi regional affiliate of the national Scholastic Writing Awards, where students in grades 7-12 submit original work across ten categories including critical essay, poetry, short story, and journalism.
📍 Jackson, MS (Eudora Welty House & Garden awards ceremony)📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NYT / Hult
School of The New York Times Summer Academy
Need-based scholarships available; commuter and residential pre-college journalism courses in NYC.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland
Shirley Povich Sports Journalism Summer Camp
A weeklong July camp at Knight Hall for students entering grades 9-12 offering hands-on instruction from sports media professionals in sports writing, broadcasting, video production, and analytics.
📍 University of Maryland, College Park, MD📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Hawaiʻi Creative Media / Hawaiʻi Department of Education partners
SHOOTS Summit Hawaiʻi
Statewide student-media gathering featuring workshops, industry speakers and competitions in film, broadcast media, photography, graphic design and related creative fields.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
Sports Broadcasting
Students explore sports broadcasting and sports-media production.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Montclair State University
Sports Communication
Examines sports journalism, media production and communication.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Seton Hall University
Sports Media and Business Academy
Explores financial models, media, innovation and business strategy in the sports industry.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Oklahoma State University
Sports Media Camp
Students learn play-by-play broadcasting, production and print sports journalism while covering live events.
📍 OK🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Kent State University
Sports Media Summer Camp
Five-day hands-on sports-production camp working with Kent State's TeleProductions operation.
📍 OH🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Selective
New Hampshire Press Association
Student Journalism Day
Free annual event for New Hampshire students combining professional journalism panels, a student-press workshop, an NHPBS tour, lunch and student journalism awards.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Indiana High School Press Association
Student Leadership Workshop
High-school student-media leaders participate in a free workshop focused on journalism leadership and strengthening school publications and media organizations.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Youngstown State University
Summer Honors Institute
Academically motivated students take hands-on university courses across STEM, arts, journalism and other disciplines.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
Boston University
Summer Journalism Academy
A journalism training program for high school students, offered either residentially on the BU campus for students with prior journalism experience or remotely for students ages 14-18 of any experience level, giving participants a hands-on sample of life as a news reporter under working journalists.
📍 Boston, MA (Boston University) or remote📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Maine Policy Institute
Susan K. Hamill Summer Internship Program
A nine-week internship at a Maine public-policy think tank open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, working in public policy, development, or digital media and gaining research, fundraising, and communications skills.
📍 Yarmouth, ME📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Texas Association of Journalism Educators
TAJE Fall Fiesta
TAJE's annual fall convention for student journalists and advisers with workshops, keynote speakers, and competitions including Best in Texas and Journalist of the Year. Student scholarships are available to attend.
📍 San Antonio, TX📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE)
TAJE Student Scholarships
TAJE awards $1,000 college scholarships to high school seniors in journalism programs and up to six $150 scholarships to help students attend summer journalism workshops. Applicants need an adviser who is a current TAJE member.
📍 Texas (online application)📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Young Authors Foundation
Teen Ink
An award-winning monthly print and online magazine by and for teens.
📍 Online / Jersey City, NJ📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
New York Jewish Week
Teen Journalism Fellowship
NYC-area Jewish teens report and publish professional journalism while receiving editing and mentorship; fellows receive compensation for published stories.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Spokesman-Review with Comma Community Journalism Lab
Teen Journalism Institute (The Spokesman-Review)
A paid eight-week summer newsroom internship in downtown Spokane for rising high school juniors and seniors, who write news and features, rotate through departments and publish a community journalism project.
📍 Spokane, WA📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
TeenTix
TeenTix Newsroom
Teen arts-journalism program in which writers attend arts events for free, write reviews that are edited one-on-one by teen editors, and are paid for their writing.
📍 Seattle, Washington area📅 Varies🎓 Grades 8–12
Selective
Tennessee High School Press Association (Lipscomb University School of Communication)
Tennessee High School Press Association
A statewide scholastic journalism association offering fall workshops in Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville, plus evaluations and contests for newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, and broadcast/online media, culminating in an annual Awards Day.
📍 Statewide, TN📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE)
Texas Journalist of the Year (JOY)
A portfolio-based state competition for Texas high school seniors across reporting, editing, design, broadcast, photojournalism, web and law/ethics. The winner advances to the national JEA Journalist of the Year competition.
📍 Texas (online submission)📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
The Brodsky Prize / New Hampshire journalism community
The Brodsky Prize
New Hampshire high-school students submit journalism-oriented writing addressing news, media and public affairs. The program awards a $5,000 prize.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Connecticut, Department of Journalism
UConn Journalism Multimedia Summer Camp
A one-week residential camp at UConn Storrs where high schoolers ages 15-18 get a crash course in news reporting, interviewing, photography, video storytelling, and podcasting, taught by working journalists and faculty, with need-based scholarships available.
📍 UConn, Storrs, CT📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University Interscholastic League (UT Austin)
UIL High School Academic and Speech Contests
Statewide high school academic contests including literary criticism, ready writing, social studies, current issues, journalism, speech and debate (Congress, CX, Lincoln Douglas), and filmmaking. Students compete through their school.
📍 Texas (statewide)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
Urban Journalism Workshop
Intensive journalism boot camp bringing together about 20 juniors and seniors from NYC and the surrounding tri-state region for reporting, writing and multimedia journalism.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Utah College Media Alliance (with Utah Press Association, Utah Education Network, Amplify Utah)
Utah High School Future of Journalism Awards
Statewide awards recognizing excellent journalism by Utah high school students in writing, photo/multimedia, and video/broadcast, judged by college journalists, journalism professors, and professionals. Includes Coverage Cup and High School Journalist of the Year honors.
📍 Utah (statewide; awards ceremony at the University of Utah)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Valley Press Club
Valley Press Club Scholarship
A set of $1,000 scholarships (including The Republican Scholarship, the 22News Scholarship, and the Rhonda Swan Memorial Scholarship) for western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut high school seniors committed to pursuing journalism careers.
📍 Springfield, MA (western Massachusetts region)📅 April🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Vermont Association of Broadcasters
Vermont Association of Broadcasters Judy Simpson Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship of up to $1,000 per year for Vermont residents and Vermont high school graduates accepted to college who are pursuing broadcast media or communications degrees.
📍 Vermont📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Selective
UT Austin School of Journalism and Media
Verne Lundquist Sports Media Camp
A four-day, hands-on camp for aspiring high school sports journalists featuring a mock press conference with UT student-athletes and tours of stadium and press box facilities. Students work across print, photo, audio and video formats with professionals and faculty.
📍 Austin, TX📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Virginia High School League (VHSL) / Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers
VHSL-VAJTA Media Championships (Newspaper, Yearbook, Broadcast, Online News)
Annual state media contest in which high school student journalists and publication staffs enter newspapers, newsmagazines, online news, broadcast, yearbook and literary magazine work for ratings and awards.
📍 Vienna, VA (James Madison High School, 2026 state event)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers (VAJTA)
Virginia Journalist of the Year (VAJTA Portfolio Contest)
A portfolio-based state contest for high school student journalists; the Virginia winner is submitted by VAJTA to the national Journalism Education Association Journalist of the Year competition, which carries scholarships.
📍 Virginia (online submission)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
George Mason University
Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC)
Week-long residential journalism and leadership program on George Mason's Fairfax campus where high school students (National Youth Correspondents) learn from industry leaders, award-winning journalists and Washington insiders, with one college elective credit.
📍 Fairfax, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The Boston Globe
Will McDonough Sports Writing Contest
A free nonfiction sports-writing contest for grades 9-12 students in Maine and New England, judged on writing quality, reporting, and use of journalism practices, with entries capped at 700 words.
📍 Open to Maine residents (New England-wide contest)📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wisconsin Journalism Education Association (WisJEA)
WisJEA Journalist of the Year and All-State Journalism Team
An annual application program recognizing Wisconsin high school student journalists: seniors can apply for Journalist of the Year, and students in grades 9-12 can apply for the All-State Journalism Team using a resume, a work sample and a short explanation of their media work.
📍 Wisconsin (online application)📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA)
WJEA J Camp (Summer Workshop at WSU)
Four-day summer journalism workshop for student journalists ages 14-18 at Washington State University's Murrow College, with majors such as journalistic storytelling, photojournalism, broadcast and editorial leadership.
📍 Washington State University, Pullman, Washington📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA)
WJEA J Day East
A day for student journalists who produce school newspapers, websites, yearbooks or broadcasts, with sessions led by professionals, a keynote and the Emerald Awards.
📍 Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA)
WJEA J Day West
A day of learning for student media staff with sessions led by journalism professionals, a keynote and the Emerald Awards.
📍 Everett Community College, Everett, WA📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA)
WJEA Spring Conference & Write-Off Contests
A statewide day for student media with a keynote, sessions and write-off contests in writing, photography, layout and design, and video and online news, ending with an awards ceremony.
📍 Mariner High School, Everett, WA📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA)
WJEA Summer Trainings (West)
One-day summer journalism trainings where students choose two of seven sessions such as Editorial Leadership, Photojournalism, Video/Broadcast Journalism, Advanced Storytelling or Page Design.
📍 Nathan Hale High School, Seattle, WA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
WVU College of Creative Arts and Media (Reed School of Media and Communications)
WVU Media Camp
A residential camp for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with workshops in writing, photography, video, broadcasting and social media strategy plus tours of journalism, advertising/PR and sports media programs.
📍 West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Wyoming Student Media Association
Wyoming Journalist of the Year (JOY) Scholarship
A state portfolio contest for high school journalism students who build a website covering 11 journalism categories; the winner receives a scholarship and advances to the national JEA Journalist of the Year competition.
📍 Wyoming (online submission)📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Wyoming Student Media Association
Wyoming Student Media Association State Conference
The state journalism convention for Wyoming high school student journalists and advisors, plus the Wyoming Journalist of the Year award with a $500 scholarship.
📍 Casper, WY📅 October🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Greater Madison Writing Project, UW-Madison
Youth Press Corps (Cap Times and UW-Madison)
Five-day summer camp in the Cap Times newsroom where students learn interviewing, journalistic writing and ethics from journalists and educators, and can publish a story in The Cap Times.
📍 Madison, WI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate

Journalism programs for high schoolers.

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