Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline is Sunday, March 23, 2025. Applications must include a complete application, three journalistic work samples, two essays, two letters of recommendation, an unofficial high school transcript and a color headshot. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Teacher recommendations must be uploaded with the student’s online application form by the March 23 deadline.

March 23, 2025 is the deadline for all applicants.

No. Applicants are not required to list SAT or ACT scores, because juniors typically don’t take those exams until spring.

Two essays with a maximum of 500 words each must be submitted with the application.

1. Applicants are required to submit an essay describing their interest in and passion for journalism and the media.
2. Applicants are required to submit an essay outlining what characteristics, experiences and/or challenges make the applicant a “free spirit.” Possible characteristics include leadership, courage, creativity, risk-taking, innovative thinking, perseverance or rising above circumstances to accomplish something extraordinary.

We require samples of news writing, photography, audio, video or other media that were produced for publication or for classroom assignments.

You can upload your journalism samples as links or attach PDFs. Word documents are also permissible. Do not send Google Document links.

All applicants will be notified by email no later than mid-May, and responses must be received one week from the date of notification.

The conference will be in person June 22-27, 2025, at Freedom Forum’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Students should test for COVID-19 before they travel. We may ask a student to take a COVID-19 test during the conference if they show signs of illness. In partnership with Close Up, we will handle each case individually to determine the best care and treatment.

Extraordinary circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Yes, accepted Free Spirit Scholars are expected to attend the conference in its entirety.

All Free Spirit scholars are expected to attend all sessions and field trips. We plan our conference to ensure full participation by our scholars and strive to expose students to various perspectives over the course of a few days. Receiving the scholarship is contingent upon full completion of the conference.

If a Free Spirit Scholar is accepted but cannot attend for unforeseen reasons, students will forfeit the trip and scholarship.

Each winner is awarded an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a five-day conference that includes:

• sessions with top-level journalists and media executives and visits to media organizations.
• a private dinner with Free Spirit alumni.
• attending the 2025 Free Expression Awards.
• connecting with other student journalists from around the country.
• tours of Washington, D.C. sites.
• a $1,000 scholarship to the university of the applicant’s choice. 

Once you are admitted to college, please let us know by email, and we’ll send you further instructions. If your immediate plans after high school do not include college, please let us know via email. Scholarships must be claimed within three years of your participation in the program. For example, if you are a 2025 Free Spirit Scholar, then you will have until December 2028 to arrange for your scholarship payment. All scholarships are paid directly to your school of choice. When you are selected as a Free Spirit Scholar, you will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging that you understand the scholarship payment rules.

No, parents are not allowed to attend the conference, but the students will be chaperoned at all times during the conference.

Close Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization that offers programming to educate and encourage young people to participate in civic affairs and government. Freedom Forum partners with Close Up Foundation so that Free Spirits have the most comprehensive, experienced care while participating in the program.

Daily Wear: Business casual attire
Evening Wear: Casual
Free Expression Awards: Business Attire
Commencement: Business Attire

The Free Spirit Alumni and 2025 Class dinner is an annual private dinner that brings together the newest Free Spirit Scholars class and Free Spirit alumni for an evening of conversation and connection.

Hosted by Freedom Forum, the Free Expression Awards is an annual event that honors the achievements of First Amendment heroes for their courageous acts of and contributions to free expression. Past winners have included Evan Gershkovich, John Lewis, Eric Church, Montana Climate Youth Advocates, Nikole Hannah Jones, Alexei Navalny, Ava DuVernay and Ronan Farrow. Attendees include thought leaders, policymakers, influencers and journalists from around the country.