2025-2026 Scholarship Bulletin
Seniors,
Welcome to your senior year! This bulletin contains information that will assist you with various scholarship opportunities. The scholarships posted will be from various places such as community groups, websites, and other organizations. Please share this bulletin with your parent or guardian. Scholarships are organized by the month in which they are due.
Please observe all deadlines since most organizations, colleges and universities offering scholarships or awards will NOT accept late applications. Be sure you are aware if transcripts or letters of recommendation are needed with each application. Remember, you must give the Guidance Department one week to process a transcript request. The scholarship market is very competitive: do not disqualify yourself by missing a deadline. It is your responsibility to submit all required materials when submitting an application either to the committee or Mrs. Staffen.
The college/university is a primary source of scholarships and each college has its own financial aid program. Please remember to check college websites for available scholarships.
Lastly, good luck as you begin the college and scholarship application process. It takes time, hard work, and patience, but your future self will thank you!
-Mrs. Staffen
FREE INTERNET SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES
Pittsburgh Foundation: http://pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship_search
http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com
http://www.legion.org/scholarships
http://www.scholarshipguidance.com
https://www.imagine-america.org/high-school-scholarships-trade-schools-pennsylvania
Useful Post -Secondary Planning Websites
http://www.campustours.com/ (Includes video tours and interactive campus maps)
http://www.collegeclicktv.com/ (Browse hundreds of college and university videos, compare colleges, hear student reviews, etc.)
http://www.collegemajors101.com/
http://www.collegegrazing.com/(Comprehensive website that includes a survey to determine if you are ready for college, self-assessment surveys, etc.)
http://www.collegesolved.com/ (College selection process made easier and more personal through a host of interactive features)
http://www.collegebasics.com/ Provides many articles to help with college admissions)
http://www.armedforcescareers.com/ (Military Careers)
Job Corps
Job Corps is a FREE government training program that pays for your tuition, books, supplies, gas card/bus pass and clothing allowance at CCAC. It also pays a monthly stipend to attend classes. * You must be eligible for the Pell Grant for this opportunity. Eligibility is determined through applying for your FAFSA.
Contact: http://pittsburgh.jobcorps.gov
Pittsburgh Technical College
Offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for accepted students
https://www.ptcollege.edu/admissions-financial-aid/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships
The College Board
Offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for completed steps in the college application process
https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/?SFMC_cid=EM110805-&rid=47596321
2026 ELKS MOST VALUABLE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP Deadline: Nov. 12, 2025
The Elks National Foundation awards $2.5.2 million in college scholarships to a total of 500 high school seniors nationwide through its Most Valuable Student scholarship contest. Visit enf.elks.org/MVS to apply.
Hagan Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Deadline: Dec. 1, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
1. Must attend a public, private, charter, magnet, or STEM high school located in the United States.
2. Must be fluent in the English language.
3. Must be in the high school graduating class.
4. Must have achieved a 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
5. Must enroll in an eligible four-year or higher not-for-profit College or University the first fall semester following high school graduation. The Hagan Scholarship cannot be used to attend a community college or online institution.
6. Must maintain a four year or less graduation schedule in college, or complete the equivalent of a four year degree if in a professional program.
7. Must work 240 hours from January 1, 2025 until commencement of the 2025 fall semester in college. Employment must be regularly scheduled work performed under supervision for compensation. Work can be full-time or part-time, or a combination of the two.
8. Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. “Household Income” is defined as the total income received by all members of a household living under the same roof.
9. Applicants selected as Finalists must provide the first two pages of their FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) showing their Student Aid Index (SAI).
10. Must apply for Federal and State grants if eligible.
11. Must not have a felony conviction.
The intended recipient is a high-achieving goal-driven student having substantial financial need.
The scholarship application can be downloaded from the HSF website: www.hsfmo.org
William and Debrah Pettigrew Scholarship Due: Febuary 1, 2026
Bill Pettigrew will provide a donation of $10,000 to be utilized for an annual $1,000 scholarship for a graduating high school student who wishes to attend college to become a teacher. Both Bill and his late wife Debrah, worked over 50 years in public education. Debrah was a speech and language instructor, and Bill was a long-time superintendent of schools and an original, and founding father member of the PARSS board
The criteria for submissions are as follows:
Student must have a cumulative high school 2.5 GPA or better
Submission of a merit essay describing academic and professional goals including why those goals were chosen and what has been done thus far to prepare for postsecondary education (300-900 words; 2-4 pages)
Express a clear intent to pursue a career in teaching
Student must be accepted for enrollment to a four-year institution for teacher preparation
See/email Mrs. Staffen for an application .
National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Deadline: Febuary 20, 2026
National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame awards scholarships of $4,000 each to four deserving student athletes. The criteria for selection are as follows:
High academic achievement
Financial need
Athletic ability at the varsity level
Anticipated June 2026 graduation
This scholarship was established in 1962 as a bequest from the estate of Louise Nelson, regent of the Fort Hand Chapter NSDAR. This scholarship is available to any high school senior residing in Pennsylvania who is graduating from a secondary school that is registered, accredited, approved, or licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The applicant must provide a copy of their acceptance into an accredited nursing program at a hospital or college/university.
Mary Reider American History Scholarship
The listed scholarship was established in 1996 by Lorraine K. Prutzman, Pennsylvania State DAR Scholarship Chair. It is available to any high school senior residing in Pennsylvania who is graduating from a secondary school that is registered, accredited, approved, or licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The applicant must provide a copy of their acceptance into a course of study in American history at an accredited college/university.
Elizabeth W. Watkins STEM Scholarship
This scholarship ($1,000) was established in 2022, by Elizabeth A. Watkins, Pennsylvania State Regent. Annually, a STEM scholarship will be available to any high school senior residing in Pennsylvania who is graduating from a secondary school that is registered, accredited, approved, or licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The applicant must provide a copy of their acceptance into a course of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at an accredited college/university.
Ross F. DiMarco Scholarship Deadline: March 1, 2026
2025 - 2026 Academic Year
Five (5) scholarships are being offered to high school graduating seniors, residing within the boundaries of Lions District 14-M, which is comprised of Fayette, Greene, Somerset, and Washington Counties Pennsylvania. One scholarship from each county will be awarded. In addition, an additional scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior at large from any of the four counties. The five (5) $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded to seniors that exemplify characteristics espoused by Lions Clubs International:
• Creates and fosters a spirit of understanding among peoples of the world
• Promotes the principles of good government and good citizenship
• Takes an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and/or moral welfare of the school and community
• Serves the school or community without personal financial reward
Preference will be given to applicants who are members in good standing of a Leo Club. The scholarship is intended to assist with tuition, housing, or books. The scholarship is not necessarily intended for the top academic student. Lionism occurs at all levels of the GPA spectrum. Only members of the Ross F. DiMarco Scholarship Committee will view the applications. All personal information will be held in confidentiality. The Ross F. DiMarco Scholarship Committee will inform the recipients of the scholarships. Presentation of the checks, in the amount of $1,000.00, made payable to the student will be made at the District14-M Youth Awards on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Trailside Landing Event Center, 235 N. First St , Connellsville, PA 15425.
Information:
• A copy (UNOFFICIAL COPIES ACCEPTED) of your High School Transcript must accompany this application.
• Proof of acceptance in an accredited school of higher education must accompany this application.
• Failure to comply with requirements/falsification of information will result in the application being disqualified!
• This application form is the only form that will be accepted by the DiMarco Scholarship Committee. The application must be received BY MAIL or EMAIL (You may attach or scan) no later than 12:00 PM March 1, 2026. Mail to PDG Robert E. Rafail, 149 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401 or Email to lionrobertrafail@yahoo.com If you have questions, you may call 724-366-3732.
YOU MAY ALSO FIND COPIES OF THIS APPLICATION
Facebook: @District14-MLions, at our website district14mlions.com
Washington County Chapter Of School Retirees Scholarship March 9, 2026
The Washington County Chapter is offering one scholarship in the amount of $1200 each to a senior graduating from a Washington County school district and majoring in education. Please see Mrs. Staffen for an application.