Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria: any African-American student at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university is eligible to apply, as is any African-American high school senior. Non-U.S. citizens are also eligible.
Remember that applicants also need a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and must be planning a career in journalism.
Get an application by writing to NABJ, 8701 Adelphi Road, Adelphi, MD 20783-1716. Or call (301) 445-7100.
Prepare the other materials. Gather three recommendation letters, a sample article from an interview you conduct with an African-American journalist, other work samples, a one-page autobiography, a transcript, and a head-only black-and-white glossy photo. You'll need three copies of all the materials.
Notify professors, TAs and employers well ahead of time for any letters of recommendation you need from them.
Send in the materials by the March deadline. Apply well before the application deadline to avoid the risk of missing it.