The Jenkins Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated in October 1946, as a special Golden Anniversary Project. In 1947 the fund was established as a permanent project as a living memorial to the young people who lost their lives in military service during WWII and was named for one of them, Clifford N. Jenkins, Jr., son of Margaret Jenkins, New York State PTA President 1944-1947 and National PTA President 1961-1964. The purpose of the project is to assist outstanding students in preparing for the teaching profession.

2023-2024 Application

Jenkins Application (Fillable PDF)
Jenkins Application (PDF)

Scholarship Amount

$4,000 paid in installments as follows:

• $1,000 paid at the end of the first three academic years (usually at the end of the spring semester) after official transcript is received confirming award compliance.
• $1,000 paid upon receipt of official transcript stating course completion, degree completion and recommendation for teacher certification.

Eligibility

Public High School Seniors who:

1. Plan to prepare for a teaching career.
2. Plan to attend a college of the State University of New York for baccalaureate degree in education -OR- plan to attend a two year community college before transferring to a baccalaureate degree program in education in a college of the State University of New York.
3. Have not accepted scholarships equal to or greater than the monetary value of $16,000.
4. Attend a high school in New York State in a school where there is a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing.

Criteria

Character and personality, academic achievement and potential teaching ability.

Requirements

Students awarded a scholarship are required to do the following:

1. Official education curriculum transcripts must be mailed to the New York State PTA office within 60 days of conclusion of the academic year.
2. If the education curriculum is changed to another major, notification must be made to the NYS PTA office and the scholarship will be immediately terminated.
3. The scholar will submit to the New York State PTA documentation of graduation and recommendation for New York State teaching certification before the final scholarship payment is distributed.

Applications

Applications will be made available on the New York State PTA website (nyspta.org) after September 15 . Notification of availability will be sent to guidance counselors in high schools with a PTA/PTSA in good standing.
EACH HIGH SCHOOL MAY SUBMIT TWO (2) CANDIDATES

Deadline

Completed applications must be sent to the New York State PTA Office postmarked, not metered, by December 15. (If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday it will be extended to the next business day).

Selection of Winner

Applications are reviewed by a committee of educators and members of the New York State PTA Governance Team. Candidates whose applications pass the initial screening are invited to appear for a personal interview in March. Interview sites are listed on the application.
Candidates must attend the entire interview process to continue eligibility.

Winners

Winners, known as Jenkins Scholars, are notified on or about May 1 and receive an award agreement which must be signed and returned to the New York State PTA office.

Congratulations to 2022-2023 winners!

Amanda Purga, Suffolk

Emma Parente, Suffolk

Samara Ritchie, Suffolk

Mia Calabrese, Genesee Valley

Morgan Brown, Genesee Valley

Jack Levi, Nassau

Samantha DeLucca, Nassau

Kashius Mostransky, Northeastern

Shane McClernan, Northeastern

Lillian Lavalette, Southeastern

Dakota Nadeau, Taconic

William Chaffee, Western