Important Information

Scholarships will open 3/1/26. Submissions will be accepted through 4/12/26 at 11:59 PM. Scoring will take place in May. 

Recipients will be notified by the last day of our school year. 

Process:

• Submissions are accepted until the deadline.

• Identifying information is removed from all submissions.

• Each component is scored individually (Personal Letter, Transcript, Recommendation Letter), and then a total score is generated for each person.

• Individual award amounts are determined by # of applicants, the amount budgeted, and the rank of their total score. 

• In an attempt to increase the quality of submissions, there will be a cap of 20 scholarships awarded this year. All award amounts are based on the total points received from each scorer. 

***Recipients must submit the necessary documentation for their check by September 15, 2026, or they will not be able to collect their award.

Please thoroughly read the submission criteria listed below.

Criteria for Eligibility and Evaluation

To be eligible for a PBVTA Scholarship, the applicant must:

1. Be the dependent child of an active member pursuant to CTA Bylaws.  Please include a current membership number on the application.

2. A potential for successful use of the scholarship funds.

3. Submit a one-page personal statement explaining why the applicant feels s/he should be considered for the PBVTA Scholarship.  The statement should be typed in a traditional 12-point font, and the format should be double-spaced with one-inch margins. While AI is an important tool, it should not replace an applicant’s own writing and authentic thoughts. AI detectors will be used during scoring.

4. Submit a letter of recommendation:

A.  Either from a certificated school employee who is familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, or from a community member, outside the school setting, who is familiar with the applicant's involvement and participation in community activities;

B.  Be sure that the letter addresses the following criteria:

      i.  Involvement in and sensitivity to human social and civic issues;

      ii.   Characteristics such as responsibility, reliability, and integrity;

      iii.  Academic and vocational potential;

      iv.  Special and personal achievements.

C.  Include the following information at the beginning of the letter:

      i.    Printed name;

      ii.   Signature;

      iii.  Number of years of familiarity with the applicant;

      iv.  Nature of relationship to the applicant.

D. All recommendation letters must be current. Submissions with letters of recommendation before July 1, 2025 will not be considered.

5. Submit a copy of his/her most recent transcript.  The applicant must have a 3.0 (or better) Grade Point Average (GPA) and demonstrate involvement in extracurricular activities as well as excellence in their academic pursuits.

• If an applicant is currently in high school, they need to submit their high school transcript.

• If an applicant has attended college for at least one year, they need to submit their college transcript. 

• If an applicant graduated from high school, had time in between college enrollment, and is attending college next year, they need to submit their high school transcript

6. Scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time students at an accredited institution of higher learning.