Northern Illinois Press Association holds a yearly contest for print publications, the NISPA Newspaper contest.

Judges review individual entries and overall publications in four divisions based on enrollment size. In addition to the overall winners, advisers submit  student work in the following categories: News, features, editorials, team-in-depth, sports, reviews, column writing, photography, graphics, editorial cartoons and ad design.

NISPA awards bronze, silver, gold certificates, as well as a Golden Eagle trophy to the best entries of the year. Entries are due in January and are awarded at the April conference.