California State PTA Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by California State PTA
Continuing Education Scholarships
Education can continue beyond high school graduation. California State PTA offers two scholarships to support students as they pursue further education and their life goals. The awards recognize volunteer service and, for some recipients, support plans to enter the medical field.
- California State PTA offers two scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors.
- The scholarships support continuing education and recognize service.
Scholarship Opportunities
The 2027 Graduating High School Senior Scholarship application is scheduled to open in November 2026. Applications are due in February 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants should be notified in March or early April, and scholarship recipients will receive a congratulatory letter, a recognition certificate from California State PTA, and a check.
Volunteer Service Scholarship: This scholarship recognizes graduating seniors for volunteer service in their schools and communities and helps them register for courses at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, or technical schools. Applicants must be PTA members graduating from a California high school between January 1 and June 30 of the current academic year.
Dr. Ralph E. White Graduating Senior Scholarship: This $500 award honors the volunteer and public-service legacy of Dr. Ralph E. White and his wife, Eleanor. It is awarded to two successful Volunteer Service Scholarship applicants who intend to pursue a career in the medical field.
- The application opens in November 2026 and is due in February 2027.
- The Volunteer Service Scholarship requires PTA membership and graduation from a California high school.
- Two eligible applicants pursuing medical careers may receive an additional $500 award each.
Application Tips
Prepare an essay that fully answers the application questions. Include details about your PTA experience and service, service to other organizations or individuals, career plans, job experience, and any other information relevant to the selection committee. The application also requires two completed reference forms and letters written specifically for this scholarship.
Essay: Address each requested topic, including service, career plans, and job experience.
References: One reference must come from an unrelated community volunteer leader with whom you volunteered. The other must come from a member of your high school faculty.
- Submit a complete essay responding to the application questions.
- Include two completed reference forms and application-specific letters.
- Choose the required community volunteer and high school faculty references.