Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Journalism Conference

Amount of Scholarship: $1,000

Number of Awards: 51 (one student from each state and the District of Columbia)

Available to Class Level: High school juniors

Requirements: Students must be high school juniors interested in pursuing careers in the news and information gathering business and must be able to attend a July 2012, all-expenses-paid conference at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility: Students must be high school juniors interested in pursuing careers in the media.

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Minimum ACT: n/a

Minimum SAT: n/a

Due Date: February 15, 2012

Purpose of Award: To promote the vital role of the First Amendment as a cornerstone of democracy and to inspire students to pursue journalism careers. Recipients will participate in an all-expenses-paid journalism training conference at the Freedom Forum's Newseum, located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Those who successfully complete the five-day workshop will be awarded $1,000 scholarships that will be paid to each student's college or university of choce in the fall of 2013.

Duration: One year

Renewable: no

Need-based Scholarship: no

Applicaiton Online: yes - www.freespirit.org

Application Fees: n/a

Scholarship History: The Free Spirit program began in 1999 and is funded by the Freedom Forum to honor Al Neuharth, the founder of the Freedom Forum, Newseum and USA TODAY.

Additional Information:

Scholarship recipients are selected based on a desire to pursue a career in journalism, scholastic achievement, community service and demonstrated leadership potential.