Graduating High School Seniors - California State PTA

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Your generous contribution to the California State PTA will help us continue to develop and deliver top quality programs and services in support of all children and families.

Your education doesn’t end once you walk across that high school graduation stage.

That’s why California State PTA has two scholarships to help you achieve your continuing education dreams and life goals.

OPPORTUNITIES EACH YEAR

The 2026 Graduating High School Senior Scholarship application period will reopen in the fall.

Two scholarships are available for your application:

Volunteer Service Scholarship — This scholarship recognizes graduating seniors for their volunteer service in schools and communities, allowing them to register for courses at accredited colleges, universities, and trade, 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.
$500 Dr. Ralph E. White Graduating Senior Scholarship – Honoring the volunteer and public-service legacy of Dr. Ralph E. White and his wife, Eleanor, this additional scholarship provides $500 each to two successful applicants of the Volunteer Service Scholarship who intend to pursue a career in the medical field.

All applicants shoulbe be notified of their status in March or early April. Scholarship winners will receive a letter of congratulations and a recognition certificate from California State PTA along with a check.

For questions and more information, please contact the California State PTA at scholarships@capta.org.

View Reference Form

APPLICATION TIPS

Don’t forget to include these items in your application:

Proof of your PTA membership
Descriptive essay fully answering the questions asked regarding your PTA experience and service, service to other organizations or individuals, your career plans, job experience, and any other information you feel would be valuable to the selection committee.
Two completed reference forms and letters, written specifically for this application (first reference written by a community volunteer leader unrelated to you and with whom you volunteered; second reference written by a member of the high-school faculty).

For detailed information just for PTA Leaders on this topic, visit the Leaders’ Website.
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