Columbia Scholastic Press Association

What can CSPA do for you?

High school, middle school and collegiate publications can now choose one of three (3) different types of CSPA membership levels:

• Regular Membership: includes detailed critique, Crown judging, 30 free Gold Circle entries, Special Edition Crown Awards DVD. [Hybrid $259, Digital $209, Print $219]

• Associate Membership: includes Crown judging, 30 free Gold Circle entries, Special Edition Crown Awards DVD. NO critique included. [$179]

• Basic Membership: includes 30 free Gold Circle entries, Special Edition Crown Awards DVD. NO critique, NO Crown Awards entry included. [$159]

HYBRID = Print publication that provides live coverage via website between print editions. Can include expanded content for stories already covered in print. Could also include updates or completely new coverage via website.

DIGITAL = Online news reporting only; no print component.  If a print edition co-exists with the digital news site, then it’s a hybrid publication.

PRINT = News reporting in print only; no digital (online) component.  If a digital edition co-exists with the print component, then it’s a hybrid publication.

Only CSPA members can enter our contests.

Questions about membership

Why is the newspaper & magazine deadline (June 17th) earlier than the yearbook and digital media deadline (October 15th)?

To permit timely returns of Medalists critiques, it is essential to have all newspapers and magazines submitted in June. We have more adviser-judges available to complete an evaluation at this time. The sooner we receive your publication, the sooner we can get it to an adviser-judge.

Despite the October 15th deadline, we encourage yearbooks to submit their edition as soon as they are printed. Late summer and fall delivery yearbooks have until October 15th to send in their publications. 

How do we get our publication evaluated by the CSPA?

Only Regular Members receive a written evaluation (critique) of their publication. Newspapers, magazines, yearbooks and Web sites should complete the Membership Form and send it to us as soon as possible.

When does my CSPA membership expire?

All CSPA memberships run from July 1st of the current membership year until June 30th of the following year, regardless of what time of year you submitted your publication for membership.

If we don't want an evaluation/critique this year, can we still be CSPA members?

Associate and Basic Members are CSPA members, yet neither receive a written evaluation/critique of their publication and/or Web site.

Associate Members receive membership in CSPA, entry into the Crown Awards, 30 free Gold Circle entries and a copy of the Special Edition Crown Awards DVD.

Basic Members receive membership in CSPA, 30 free Gold Circle entries and a copy of the Special Edition Crown Awards DVD.

CSPA Membership

Membership Overview

Membership Types Available

Professional Membership

What to submit

Membership FAQ

Download form

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