Scholarships
The Student Leader Scholarships have been established to provide a one-time scholarship of up to $2,500 or $5,000 to each recipient. The scholarships recognize graduating seniors from PSBA member districts who have demonstrated ongoing leadership and meet the criteria for one of four available scholarships.
The Frerichs Scholarship
The Frerichs Scholarship recognizes a student planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education. Dr. Richard Frerichs is a past president of PSBA, retired professor of education at Millersville University, recipient of the 2022 William Howard Day Award and founding chair of the PA Public Education Foundation. Recipients of the Frerichs Scholarship are planning to enroll in an education-related major at a Pennsylvania State System school and have a demonstrated track record of leadership during their high school tenure.
The Marcus Scholarship
The Marcus Scholarship recognizes a student planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public safety, criminology, forensics or other law-enforcement/safety majors. Roberta M. Marcus is a past president of PSBA, longtime local school board leader, past community college chair, founding chair of the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute and recipient of the PSBA Allwein Society Award. Recipients of the Marcus Scholarship must possess a demonstrated track record of leadership during their high school tenure.
The H.H. Quimby Scholarship
The H.H. Quimby Scholarship recognizes a student who has served as a student representative to their local school board during their high school academic career. Mr. Quimby served as the first state president of PSBA in 1895. Recipients of the Quimby Scholarship must have a demonstrated track record of leadership and service during their high school tenure and plan to pursue a degree focused on policy, political science, advocacy or non-profit management.
The Swope Scholarship
The Swope Scholarship recognizes a student planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the arts. Kathy Swope is a past president of PSBA, longtime local school board leader, and founding chair of the PSBA Trust and PSBA Insurance Company. Recipients of the Swope Scholarship must possess a demonstrated track record of leadership in the arts during their high school tenure.
Apply
Overall scholarship criteria
- Applicants must be enrolled in a PSBA-member school district and have attended a high school within a PSBA-member district for a minimum of three years.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university following graduation from high school. If a final college decision has not been made at the time of application, the applicant must provide all colleges or universities where they have been accepted or have a pending admission decision and notify scholarship@vertras.group of their final selection once a commitment has been made.
- Applicants must submit an essay, a cover letter addressed to the Scholarship Committee, a resume, an unofficial high school transcript and two letters of recommendation.
- Applicants must include a joint letter of nomination from the district superintendent and school board president with the application packet.
Essay
Please submit a 300–400 word essay responding to the question specific to the scholarship for which you are applying:
Marcus Scholarship:
Leadership in public safety can require making difficult decisions when the right course of action may not be the easiest or most popular one. Describe a time when you had to choose between doing what was expected by others and doing what you believed was right. How did you respond, and what did the experience teach you about leadership and responsibility?
Frerichs Scholarship:
Educators are leaders both inside and outside the classroom. Describe a time when you helped another person learn, grow or overcome a challenge. What did you learn about leadership from the experience, and how will that lesson influence the kind of educator you hope to become?
Swope Scholarship:
Think about a specific time when your involvement in the arts gave you an opportunity to influence, encourage or support others. What did you do, what impact did it have and how did the experience shape your understanding of leadership in the arts?
H.H. Quimby Scholarship:
As a student representative to your school board, you had the opportunity to observe leadership and decision-making from a unique perspective. Describe a specific issue, discussion, or decision you observed or participated in that changed or challenged your understanding of leadership. What did you learn, and how will you apply that lesson as you pursue a future in policy, advocacy or leadership?
Scholarship application packet
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application requirements are fulfilled by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
All submissions are due by March 12, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Each award is a one-time scholarship.
Questions about the scholarship process and requirements should be submitted to scholarship@vertras.group.
Application checklist
- Applicant is enrolled in a PSBA-member school district and meets the three-year attendance requirement
- Applicant is enrolling in a two- or – four-year college or university upon graduation
- Unofficial high school transcript
- 300- to 400-word essay
- Cover letter addressed directly to the Scholarship Committee
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Joint nomination letter from the school board president and district superintendent
- Completed application form