Student Opportunities

Northwest Journalists of Color (NJC) Scholarship

Deadline:  Friday, April 29, 2022

Apply if you are an aspiring journalist. Up to 6 winners will receive a $1,200 cash award, and a mentor who works as a journalist in the Pacific Northwest. (Up to 6 winners, $1,200 each)

For nearly 40 years, the Northwest Journalists of Color have coordinated scholarships for aspiring journalists. The NJC’s members belong to the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), Seattle Association of Black Journalists (SABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA). Since 1983, the NJC and AAJA have given more than $150,000 in scholarships.

You do not need to identify as a student of color to apply for this scholarship. Strong preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the importance of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences in newsrooms. You are eligible for these scholarships if you are EITHER:

  • On the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school
    OR
  • Attending a public or private college in Washington state

Click here to apply

Northwest Journalists of Color Visual Journalism Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, April 29, 2022

Apply if you are an aspiring photo and/or video journalist. One recipient will receive a professional DSLR camera kit (average value between $2,500 – $5,000) to help launch their career. (Average value $2,500 – $5,000)

The NJC Visual Journalism Scholarship will be awarded to an aspiring photo and/or video journalist who meets the same eligibility criteria for the NJC Scholarship. One recipient will receive a used professional camera kit, donated by The Seattle Times Photo Department, to help launch their career.

You are eligible for these scholarships if you are EITHER:

  • On the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school
    OR
  • Attending a public or private college in Washington state

Click here to apply

AAJA Seattle Founders’ Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, April 29, 2022

Apply if you’d like to attend the 2022 national Asian American Journalists Association convention in Los Angeles. Up to 3 recipients will $1,500 to cover expenses. (Up to 3, $1,500 each)

The Founders’ Scholarship was established in 2000 to honor Frank Abe, Ron Chew and Lori Matsukawa, founders of the AAJA Seattle chapter in 1985. The Founders’ Scholarship covers fees to attend the 2022 national Asian American Journalists Association convention in Los Angeles. Up to 3 recipients will $1,500 to cover expenses.

You are eligible for these scholarships if you are EITHER:

  • On the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school
    OR
  • Attending a public or private college in Washington state

All NJC winners will be awarded the Founders scholarship.

NJC-PNW Guild Conference Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, April 29, 2022

One recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Parents, siblings, direct descendants and dependents of workers represented by the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild are not eligible. ($1,000)

You are eligible for these scholarships if you are:

  • On the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school
    OR
  • Attending a public or private college in Washington state
    AND
  • Are not a parent, sibling, direct descendant or dependent of workers represented by the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild

Click here to apply

Past AAJA Scholarship Recipients

For more than 30 years, the Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship program has given thousands of dollars to student journalists throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our recipients have gone to work for The Associated Press, The New York Times, PBS News Hour, NPR, NBC’s Golf Channel, The Seattle Times and more. The following is a partial list of past recipients.

2021: NJC: Suhani Dalal, Loren Negron, Marian Mohamed, Juan Morfin. Visual Journalism: Loren Negron, Daniel Flynn. NJC Strudelmedia Live Scholarship: Daniel Flynn. NJC-PNW Newspaper Guild Scholarship: Suhani Dalal.

2020: NJC: Jadenne Radoc Cabahug, William Suscha Walker, Marian Mohammed, Shadrak Musafiri, Tyler Agafonov. Visual Journalism: Angelica Relente, Honorable mention: Shadrak Musafiri, Nathanael Hyun, NJC-PNW Guild Conference Scholarship: Marian Mohammed.

2019: NJC: Annika Prom, Sakke Overlund, Andy Yamashita, Isabella Anderson. Visual Journalism: Charissa Soriano. Founders’: Iman Mohamed, Andy Bao. NJC-PNW Guild: Chhavi Mehra. NJC-KIRO7 internship: Spencer Haddenham-Gibler.

2018: NJC: Grace Madigan, Enrique Pérez de la Rosa, Annika Prom. Visual Journalism:Ester Ouli Kim. Founders’: Amy Wong. NJC-KIRO7 internship: Rania Kaur

2017: NJC: Hailey Robinson, Ronnie Estoque, Elizabeth Alvarado, Agatha Pacheco, Starla Sampaco. Founders’: Starla Sampaco. NJC-KIRO7 internship: Rhea Panela.

2016: NJC: Ahlaam Ibraahim, Mohammed Kloub, Rhea Panela, Jasmine Pollard. Founders’: Starla Sampaco.

2015: NJC: Ashley Walls, Mohamed Adan, Brady Hitoshi Wakayama. Founders’: Brady Hitoshi Wakayama.

2014: NJC: Julia Martinez, Michaela Vue, Bailey Williams, Holly Buchanan and Nicole Horiuchi Gaddie. Founders’: Trennesia Jackson.

2013: NJC: Joella Ortega, Holly Martinez, Charmaine Riley. Founders’: Seungkyul Joseph Park.

2012: NJC: Thomas Nguyen, Kelly Manalo, Mende Smith, Yi Xiao. Founders’: Thomas Nguyen. 911 Media Arts scholarship: Sarah Radmer.

2011NJC: Joanna Nolasco, Gina Cole, Katelin Chow. Founders’: Peter Sessum. 911 Media Arts scholarship: Mary Jean Spadafora.

2010: NJC: Katelin Chow, Mary Pauline H. Diaz, Peter Sessum, Rachel Solomon.