Scholarships
Junior Achievement of Western PA is proud to support JA students as they continue their education by offering a variety of scholarships to K-12 students who are continuing education at a tuition-based institution.
JA Scholarship Funding Applications
Our Application Window is Now Open!
Eligible students from all tuition-based institutions can now apply for funding made possible through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)/Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. Following last year’s updated process, JA no longer selects individual scholarship recipients; this process is now managed entirely by each participating institution. If your institution is awarded funding and your student receives a scholarship, the institution will contact you directly.
Key Dates:
- Application Launch: March 3, 2026
- Application Deadline: April 18, 2026
- School Notification of Funding Awarded: June 1, 2026
We’re excited to review your submissions and look forward to supporting the next generation. If you have questions, please refer to the FAQ section below.
We’d also love your feedback to help us continue improving. Your insights highlight the impact of JA and are crucial in securing future support. Click the button below to share your thoughts.
Institutions (Schools)
To apply for JA scholarship funding, review the EITC/OSTC guidelines to determine student eligibility and confirm that your institution participates in JA programming. If eligible, complete the funding application and collect JA Funding Request Forms from students. Institutions will be notified of funding decisions by June 1.
If your institution does not yet participate in JA programming, please contact Doug Knepper.
K-11 Parents/Students
To apply for JA scholarship funding, first review your eligibility and confirm that your tuition-based institution participates in JA programming.
Then, complete the JA Funding Request Form and submit it to your institution’s finance office by April 18 for consideration.
Scholarships for Current High School Seniors
JA is proud to support high school seniors as they take the next steps in their education and career journey. Students who have participated in at least one JA program may be eligible to apply. To be considered, complete the application and mail it to the JA office by April 18. Awarded recipients will be notified in June and must provide enrollment verification for payout.
We encourage all eligible students to carefully review the updated guidelines before applying.
Donors
Through EITC/OSTC funding, as well as individual and corporate donations, JA can offer a variety of scholarships. Thank you to our partners for being champions of education and partners in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
We Are Proud to Work With the Following Community Partners
FAQS
The scholarship application process involves the following steps:
I am a current K-11th grade Student/Parent
Review: Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)/ Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) guidelines to see if you qualify to apply for JA scholarship funding. Then, contact the tuition-based school you are interested in attending to see if they participate in JA Programming. Direct them to the JA website to apply for (JA) funding with us.
Complete Application: Fill out the JA Funding Request Form, ensuring you meet all the criteria.
Submit: Print and submit the funding request. Take your printed funding request form to the attending, tuition-based school(s) finance office of your choice by the deadline of April 18, 2026. (Optional) Prepare Documents: Gather necessary documents, such as transcripts, recommendation letters, and financial statements. (Varies per institution)
I am a K-11th Grade School
Review: Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)/ Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) guidelines for the criteria on eligibility for students. Then, confirm if your tuition-based school participates in JA Programming. If so, you may continue to the JA website to apply for (Junior Achievement) funding with us. If not, request programming here or contact your local JA office representative to discuss how you can still proceed to be eligible for funding.
Complete Application: Fill out the JA Scholarship Application, ensuring you meet, understand, and agree to all the criteria.
Submit: Submit the application by the deadline of April 18, 2026.
Additional responsibilities: Collect student JA Funding Request forms date up to the deadline of April 18, 2026, as you will use them to select qualified recipients from if funding is awarded to you.(Optional) Interview: Some schools may require an interview of students for selection process. (Independent school process may vary.)
Award Notification: If your school is selected, you will be notified of funding determination by JA on June 1, 2026. Additional terms and conditions apply and will be provided with confirmation of funding.
I am a current high school senior
Review: Review JA Scholarships listed for seniors to see if you qualify to apply for JA scholarship funding. Then, print the application from our website and begin to complete. Gather necessary documents, such as transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, etc. to include with the application, as per application requirements.
Complete Application: Complete the application in its entirety, ensuring you meet all the criteria.
Submit: To submit, mail your completed application to the JA office by the deadline of April 18, 2026.
Junior Achievement of Western PA-Scholarships
90 Emerson Lane, Suite 1403
Bridgeville, PA 15017
Notification for seniors: ONLY Awarded recipients will be emailed in June of 2026 from JA. Be sure to provide the best email for contact and to check your email regularly for notification of award. Should you be awarded, you will have to provide additional information regarding enrollment verification of the post-secondary institution for payout to occur.
Eligibility requirements for EITC/OSTC is based on Pennsylvania state standards. Additional requirements vary by institution based on the volume of applicants. Typically, criteria may include academic performance, financial need, JA extracurricular involvement, community service, and specific fields of study. Always check the tuition-based institutions specific eligibility guidelines.
JA scholarship process is from March 3 until April 18, 2026
Yes, you have to apply with a new application each year as long as you are eligible and meet the requirements of the process.
Yes, you can apply for as many scholarships funding options as you are eligible for, but you will only be eligible to receive an award from one source of funding. Indicate eligibility, EITC/OSTC or both on the JA Funding Request form if you are eligible for both types of funding (EITC/OSTC).
If you miss the deadline, you will NOT be eligible for funding for the upcoming school year. However, you can look for other scholarship opportunities and make sure to apply for future scholarships on time.
Tuition-based schools applying for JA funding may qualify for funding based on participation in the following:
JA in-class programs K-12th, JA BizTown®, JA Finance Park®, JA Volunteering (i.e. events, in-class, JA BizTown), Empower Her Summit attendance, JA Inspire® Virtual Career Fair, and additional application options.
Scholarship winners may be selected based on academic merit, financial need, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews (if applicable). Each tuition-based institution that you are sending funding forms to has its own selection criteria, so inquire with that tuition-based institution(s) with additional questions.
Follow up with the tuition-based institution you have applied to attend for their process on selection and deadlines of notification.
NO. If you are selected for a scholarship and transfer schools, that funding will not be transferable to another tuition-based institution.
If you win a scholarship, JA will be notified by the individuals’ qualified tuition-based institution, that have additionally completed a JA application for funding. JA will then send a check directly to your tuition-based school pending enrollment verifications in the fall of 2025.
IF TUITION-BASED SCHOOLS HAVE NOT COMPLETED AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING, OF DO NOT QUALIFY BASED ON PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS, NO FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED.
