California Teachers Association Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by California Teachers Association

Overview

Description: These scholarships provide financial support to members of the California Teachers Association (CTA), dependent children of active CTA members, and CTA Aspiring Educators during the academic year. Awards are intended to cover education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, and approved program costs. The program is merit- and committee-driven, designed to assist qualified applicants as they pursue postsecondary education. Eligible applicants must follow application instructions precisely to remain competitive.

• Supports CTA members, their dependent children, and CTA Aspiring Educators.
• Funds are restricted to education-related expenses.
• A committee reviews applications for merit-based awards.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must be the dependent child of an active CTA member, a CTA/NEA-Retired member, or a deceased CTA member and must be claimed as a dependent on the member’s current-year IRS filings. This scholarship is not available to spouses of CTA members. Applicants must be at least graduating high school seniors, and academic records should reflect strong unweighted high school averages or strong college coursework. Applicants may include explanations for any medical, physical, or emotional circumstances that affected academic performance.

• Dependent status must be verifiable on the member’s IRS forms.
• Open to graduating high school seniors and qualified college applicants who are dependent children.
• Academic achievement is a primary consideration; provide context for any grade impacts.

Evaluation of Applications

Applications are scored on a 100-point scale that emphasizes the applicant’s written statement and documented activities. The evaluation allocates the majority of points to the applicant’s statement, with additional points for school and community involvement and for two recommendation forms. Recommendation forms must address the applicant’s civic involvement and educational or vocational potential. The Scholarship Committee reads complete applications in their entirety and recommends the highest-scoring applications as recipients; points may be deducted for failure to follow guidelines.

• Scoring totals 100 points with heavy weight on the applicant’s statement.
• Two recommendation forms are required and must address specific evaluation criteria.
• Incomplete or noncompliant submissions risk point deductions.

Scholarship Awards

Award Value: CTA receives approximately 1,000 applications annually in this category and awards up to 56 scholarships of up to $5,000 each. Several named scholarships recognize the highest-scoring applicants, including honors designated for the top three recipients and a Del A. Weber Scholarship for an eligible dependent attending a continuation or alternative education program. Recipients must use funds for education-related expenses only and must meet enrollment verification requirements before funds are disbursed.

• Maximum award amount: up to $5,000 per scholarship.
• Up to 56 scholarships awarded annually from a large applicant pool.
• Named awards and a designated scholarship for continuation/alternative education are included.

Application Timeline

Application Timeline: Complete applications must be submitted online by the February deadline established each year. Applicants are notified of award decisions by mail in June. To receive funds, scholarship recipients must submit official verification of enrollment for the applicable summer or fall semester/quarter (e.g., summer or fall 2026) showing either full-time status or registration in an approved credential or degree program at an accredited institution. Follow the published timeline and submission instructions closely to ensure eligibility for disbursement.

• Online application deadline: February (annual deadline).
• Recipients are notified by mail in June.
• Official enrollment verification is required to receive funds.

A Complete Application Includes

Applicants must submit an online application along with two recommendation forms and unofficial transcripts. The applicant’s statement, school and community activities, and two recommendations (one from an educator and one from an educator or community member) are all required components. Unofficial transcripts must include the applicant’s full name and the appropriate semesters: for high school applicants, grades 9–11 plus the first semester of the senior year; for college applicants, both high school and college transcripts. Transcripts should be mailed or emailed per instructions; photos or snapshots of transcripts are not accepted.

• Required: online application, applicant statement, activities, two recommendations, unofficial transcripts.
• Recommendation #1: educator (teacher, counselor, administrator, coach, professor); no family members.
• Recommendation #2: educator or community member who knows the applicant outside school; no family members.

Directions

Follow the directions on each application page carefully; applications that do not follow instructions are considered incomplete. The Scholarship Committee must be able to evaluate and score the applicant’s two required statements independently, so structure submissions accordingly. Choose recommenders who can provide specific examples addressing both required recommendation statements. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted separately as specified in the application instructions.

• Adhere strictly to application instructions to avoid disqualification or point deductions.
• Select recommenders who can address both civic involvement and academic/vocational potential.
• Submit unofficial transcripts separately and in the required format.