Grants & Scholarships

CA State PTA

Graduating High School Senior Scholarship

$1,000 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.

Applications, reference forms/letters, and all supporting documents must be received in the California State PTA office by February 1 each year.  All applicants are notified of their status in March. Scholarship winners receive a letter of congratulations and a recognition certificate from California State PTA along with a check.

Continuing Education Scholarships

$500 Continuing Education Scholarship for School Staff

Credentialed teachers, counselors, nurses and school staff who have a minimum of three years’ experience in a California public school are eligible to apply. You must be employed in a California public school during the preceding year and plan to continue working in a California school.

$500 Continuing Education Scholarship for PTA Volunteers

PTA volunteers with at least three years of service are eligible to apply for the $500 Continuing Education Scholarship. Your scholarship must be used for advanced studies at accredited California colleges, universities, trade and technical schools.

Apply By October 15th

Is your PTA researching a new outreach program, or perhaps expanding on current success? Then apply for California State PTA’s program grants. Available to unit, council and district PTAs in good standing, these unique annual grants are geared to support local PTAs in developing programs and projects that address four areas of major interest to our children, schools and members.

Parent Education

Develop and implement parent education programs and projects in such areas as health, child development, child abuse prevention or parenting skills. Programs or projects must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant ideas include parent-resource centers, seminars and workshops, forums for parents of children with special needs and information on preparing healthy meals.

Cultural Arts

Develop and implement student-centered cultural arts programs which complement the California State PTA’s commitment to a quality arts education. The programs and projects should focus on expanding the students’ awareness and appreciation of the field of cultural arts and/or enriching and enhancing arts education programs and must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant possibilities include performing arts assemblies, arts communications brochures, demonstrations, storytellers, read-a-thons and docents.

Outreach Translation

Translate PTA written materials and oral presentations in an effort to involve every member of the school community. Presentations or materials must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. The California State PTA may use these translated materials when appropriate. Copy of the translated material must accompany the evaluation report. Program grant possibilities include translating written materials into other languages, providing translations at meetings and events, offering school community activities, enhancing partnerships and engaging non-English-speaking families.

Healthy Lifestyle

Develop, promote and implement programs, projects and activities that will improve the overall health of children and adults. Program grant possibilities include classes, health fairs, awareness events, walking/running programs, sun safety initiatives and depression awareness efforts. Please refer to the Insurance Guide for approved activities.

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