🔑 Big Picture Strategy
1. Apply Early & Often
* Many scholarships open in fall and close by spring. Don’t wait until the last minute.
* The more you apply to, the more chances you have. Treat it like a part-time job.
2. Start Local First
* Local scholarships (from county PTAs, community groups, employers, churches, credit unions, etc.) often have fewer applicants than national ones.
3. Know Your Audience
* Read what the scholarship is about (STEM, arts, community service, leadership, overcoming adversity, etc.).
* Tailor your application to highlight how you connect to their mission.
📝 Application & Essay Tips
1. Answer the Prompt Directly
* If the essay asks “How will this scholarship help your goals?”, answer that—not your life story unless it ties back.
2. Show, Don’t Just Tell
* Instead of saying “I’m a leader,” describe a time you led a project or solved a problem.
3. Be Personal & Authentic
* Judges read hundreds of essays—your story, values, and unique perspective make you memorable.
4. Proofread & Edit
* Ask a teacher, counselor, or even a friend to read your essays. Small grammar mistakes can distract from a strong story.
📂 Organization Tips
1. Keep a Scholarship Tracker
* Use a spreadsheet to track: name, deadline, requirements, essay topic, materials submitted, and results.
2. Save Essays & Reuse
* Many scholarships ask similar questions (“What are your goals?” “Describe leadership experience”).
* Reuse essays, but always tweak them for each scholarship.
3. Collect Materials Early
* Letters of recommendation (ask teachers early).
* Transcripts, resume, test scores, community service logs.
* FAFSA & financial info if needed.
💡 Extra Edge
* Polish Your Resume – Even if short, include volunteer work, jobs, clubs, leadership roles.
* Community Service & Extracurriculars – Document your hours, impact, and leadership.
* Follow Instructions Exactly – If they ask for a 500-word essay, don’t write 800.
* Stay Positive in Essays – Even when writing about challenges, focus on resilience and growth.
Resources to Search for Scholarships
Scholarships are available for almost every type of student, search for ones that are the best fit for you, your goals and what you have done in your high school career! Are you part of FFA or ROTC? There are specific scholarships for that! Want to be a teacher? That’s right, there are scholarships for that! Consult guidance counselors and scholarship sites for the scholarships that are the best fit.
Scholarship Safety Tip:
Legitimate scholarship programs will never guarantee that you’ll win or ask you to pay a fee to apply. Be cautious of opportunities that request sensitive personal or financial details—when in doubt, verify the source before sharing your information.
Scholarships are available for almost every type of student. Search ones that are best fit for you, your goals and what you have done in your High School career. Are you part of FFA or ROTC? There are specific scholarships for that! Want to be a teacher? That’s right, there are scholarships for that too! Consult guidance counselors and scholarship sites that are the best fit.
OCPS
Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA)
Scholarships
https://www.fla-schoolcounselor.org/scholarships
Addition Financial Joseph A. Melbourne Jr. Annual Scholarship
Jason Beaird Memorial Foundation Scholarship
https://www.jasonbeairdfoundation.org/2025scholarshiprecipients
Benacquisto Scholarship Program
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/BSP.pdf
2025-2026 OCCPTA Scholarship
Each year, the Orange County Council of PTA proudly supports graduating seniors through our Scholarship Program. These scholarships recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated academic effort, community involvement, and leadership – values that reflect the mission of PTA.
We cannot do this without the support of our local PTA and PTSA units. Your contributions directly fund scholarships that help deserving students pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.
We are asking each local unit to consider making a donation to the scholarship fund this year. Even a modest contribution, when combined with others, makes a significant difference in the number of students we can support.
How to Donate:
- Suggested donation: $50-$300 per unit (any amount is appreciated)
- Please send checks payable to Orange County Council PTA with “Scholarship Fund” in the memo line or pay online via Givebacks
- Donations are due by 1/30/26 but the sooner the better!
Thank you for partnering with us to invest in the future of our students. Together, we can help them take the next step in their educational journey.
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren our Scholarship Chair at [email protected].
As a PTSA member, you may also qualify to apply for a Florida PTA Scholarship.
OCCPTA does not receive any funds from Florida PTA or National PTA. Your PTA/PTSA unit’s County Council dues allows programs like these to be offered, therefore only members from PTA/PTSAs in good standing are eligible to be considered for the awarding of scholarships. We Thank all the PTA/PTSAs of Orange County that value assisting students in this way and contribute to the Scholarship Fund.
A completed submission must have been received by March 31, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified in April 2026. This is a one-time (non-renewable) award.
