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TRIBEZA Launches $2,500 Scholarship for Austin High School Seniors Pursuing Journalism

Applications are now open for the first-ever TRIBEZA Austin Student Journalism Scholarship, created to support the next generation of writers and reporters

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TRIBEZA, which has covered Austin's culture and creative community for 25 years, is investing in the next generation of journalists with a new $2,500 scholarship.

A new $2,500 journalism scholarship is now open for Austin high school seniors heading to college this fall. TRIBEZA, Austin’s premier art and culture magazine, has launched the TRIBEZA Austin Student Journalism Scholarship to support emerging writers and reporters who are passionate about telling stories that matter to their communities.

“One of the things I’ve seen firsthand over the past 25 years is how much this city has given to TRIBEZA, and I feel strongly that it’s important to give something meaningful back,” says Chad Miller, president of TRIBEZA. “Investing in young journalists is one of the most impactful ways to do that — supporting the next generation who will shape how Austin’s story is told in the years ahead.”

The award is aimed at students with a genuine interest in journalism and a commitment to their communities. TRIBEZA’s Editor-in-Chief Heidi Okla says the timing couldn’t be better.

“In a city like Austin, where people care deeply about their neighbors, championing aspiring journalists feels especially important at a time when informed, trustworthy reporting is so essential to our sense of community,” Okla says.

How to Apply for the Journalism Scholarship

To apply, students must be a current Austin high school senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are enrolling in a college or university in fall 2026. A complete application includes three writing samples, an overview of extracurricular involvement and a short essay responding to the prompt: What do you hope to achieve as a journalist, and how does Austin shape the stories you want to tell? TRIBEZA encourages applicants to submit work that reflects their voice and a genuine curiosity about the city around them.

“Our hope is that this scholarship will uplift and encourage future journalists and creatives whose voices will shape the future of Austin and ensure that local journalism continues to thrive,” says TRIBEZA’s publisher Krissy LittleStar Hearn.

The deadline to apply is June 26, with the recipient announced by the end of July. To learn more about the scholarship and fill out the application, visit tribeza.com/scholarship.