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CSPA Membership

CSPA membership enables student publications to demonstrate their excellence among their peers across the country in the prestigious Crown and Gold Circle awards. Crowns are awarded by publication in six major categories, and Gold Circles are awarded to distinguish individual excellence in four major categories. 

  • High school, middle school, and collegiate publications are eligible for CSPA membership. A $50 membership fee is required for entry to CSPA awards programs. Publications may then choose which awards programs to enter. 

  • A limited number of Publication Critiques will be offered this year.
     
  • Memberships must be renewed annually, with one membership per individual publication. When enrolling, please use the same email address that was provided for your publication membership. A new confirmation number will be provided each year.

Please note that CSPA has changed its membership structure, allowing members to choose a la carte the services they prefer.

Basic membership includes access to the Crown Awards slide presentation. Membership is also a prerequisite to submit publications for critique and/or submit entries for Crown or Gold Circle awards. It does not include automatic entries to any contests. 

To join CSPA, first sign up for a Basic Membership ($50).

Pricing Structure and Services Overview:

Basic Membership Fee: CSPA members are entitled to submit publications for critique and enter CSPA Crown Awards and Gold Circle Awards. They also receive exclusive access to the CSPA Webinar series, with exclusive programming for both advisers and students. ($50)

  • New this year: Members will receive a $50 credit towards admission to a future CSPA event.

Publication Critiques: A written evaluation of your student publication performed by an experienced adviser or student journalism professional ($190) - limited availability.

Crown Awards Entry: This includes Crown judging, access to the special edition Crown Awards slideshow presentation, and Crown Award certificates. ($135)

Gold Circle Awards Entry: This includes 30 Gold Circle entries and certificates for winners. ($170) 

Additional Gold Circle Awards Entries: This includes 5 additional Gold Circle entries. ($50)

Current Membership Period: July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026

Visit the CSPA Membership portal to register
(Site will go live on or before May 21, 2025.)