Scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa Members

Members of Phi Theta Kappa may apply for more than $36 million in transfer scholarships, provided exclusively to Society members by more than 600 senior institutions. Members should work with their chapter advisor on application requirements and processes. This list includes scholarships with fall and spring deadlines.

Local Level

Alpha PSI Zeta Transfer Scholarship for Fall 2024

This is the Fall Transfer Scholarship--the application is now open! Applications are due by December 3rd. 

National Level

The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer to and complete their bachelor’s degrees at the nation’s top four-year colleges and universities. Candidates for this scholarship must be nominated by their two-year institution in order to apply. The maximum available per student is $55,000 per year.

Scholarships Available through the PTK Common Application

Eligible PTK members are also encouraged to fill out a Common Application for scholarships through https://www.ptk.org/scholarships. This site also has a lot of information about other scholarship opportunities for community college transfer students. There are Spring and Fall categories and deadlines.

Scholarships with Spring Application Deadlines

Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship:

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in a two-year college in order to develop leadership potential through participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs.The program awards up to 200 scholarships of $1,000 each, a total of $200,000 in scholarships annually. Of these awards, 25 scholarships are earmarked for current members of the military or military veterans.The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship is the Society's first scholarship program available to members to be used during the time they are enrolled in their community colleges.

The Phi Theta Kappa Global Leaders of Promise scholarship program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members who are international students with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in a two-year college in order to develop leadership potential through participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs. Applicants must be eligible for the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship program and will apply on the same application.

GEICO Pathway to Completion Associate Degree Scholarship:

Students who apply for Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarships will automatically be considered for a GEICO Pathway to Completion Associate Degree Scholarship. The two top scoring applicants will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. This scholarship will be given to Phi Theta Kappa members who have held a significant leadership position on campus or in their community, with preference given to those who have held chapter, regional or international office. Students must be enrolled in an associate degree program at a two-year college for fall term immediately following their application in the spring. Students must meet all eligibility criteria for and complete a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship application.

Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship:

Phi Theta Kappa's Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship will help Phi Theta Kappa members overcome unanticipated financial barriers preventing the completion of a student’s first college credential, an associate degree or certificate, while enrolled in the two-year college. Up to fifteen (15), one-time $1,000 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship will be paid once the student has submitted documentation of enrollment in a minimum of 6 semester hours in an associate degree program and submits an official transcript showing a minimum 3.0 GPA has been maintained. The scholarship application will open twice each year, Spring Term and Fall term.

Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education:

The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education program provides new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled in an associate degree program at a two-year college, as well as provide continued financial support to Pearson Scholars in the transfer to a four-year college baccalaureate degree program. The program awards up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 each, a total of $50,000 in scholarships annually. Additionally, Pearson Education is committed to assisting students in meeting their goals of degree completion with all Pearson Scholars having access to a Pearson Mentor and complimentary access to Pearson textbooks and digital access codes. Ideal candidates will be civically engaged and committed to their community through service, demonstrate persistence and leadership, and show academic rigor and excellence. Preference will be given to first-generation students.

Richard L. Resurreccion Public Safety Scholarship:

The Richard L. Resurreccion Public Safety Scholarship recognizes Phi Theta Kappa members who demonstrate potential for or involvement in public safety or service while enrolled in a regionally accredited associate degree public safety program. The program awards up to two scholarships of $1,000 each, a total of $2,000 in scholarships annually.Members may begin applying for this scholarship in March and applications are due in May each year.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund:

1. Must be of hispanic heritage
2. Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative gpa
3. Must enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college during the fall following scholarship application

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship: Spring & Summer Programs:

Application opens in August, due in October. Summer & Fall Programs: application opens in January, due in March. Offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue study or internship programs abroad.

International Scholar Laureate Program:

Must be a Phi Theta Kappa member. Must study internationally in career fields of business, diplomacy and international relations, engineering, medicine and nursing programs

Scholarships with Fall Application Deadlines

Hites Transfer Scholarship:

This scholarship offers $7,500 to ten eligible PTK members recognized for their  outstanding academic achievement, engagement in college and community activities and leadership accomplishment. Applicants must be preparing to transfer to senior institutions in pursuit of baccalaureate degrees the following fall.

Guistwhite Scholarship:

Recognize Phi Theta Kappa members for outstanding academic achievement, leadership accomplishment and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs and is designed to assist in the members’ attainment of baccalaureate degrees.20 scholarships of $5,000 each.

GEICO Pathway to Completion Bachelor's Degree Scholarship:

Students who apply for the Guistwhite Scholarship will automatically be considered for a GEICO Pathway to Completion Bachelor’s Degree Scholarship. The two top scoring applicants (who are not selected as Guistwhite Scholars) will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. Given to Phi Theta Kappa members who have held a significant leadership position on campus or in their community, with preference given to those who have held chapter, regional or international office. Students must be enrolled a minimum of part-time in a bachelor’s degree program at a four-year college for the fall term in the year following their fall application. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria for and complete the Guistwhite Scholarship application.

All-USA Community College Academic Team Scholarship:

Recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Twenty team members are named annually with each receiving a $2,500 scholarship, a total of $50,000 in scholarship awards.

Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholarship:

Recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, each receiving $1,500 scholarships; fifty students will be named Silver Scholars, each receiving $1,250 scholarships; and fifty students will be named Bronze Scholars, each receiving $1,000 scholarships. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver or Bronze Scholars.

Coca-Cola New Century Scholars Scholarship:

Recognizes 52 Scholars with scholarships of $2,000 each, totaling $104,000 in awards. Each Scholar’s nominating institution also receives special recognition at the American Association of Community Colleges Convention. To be eligible for this program, students must submit an application for the All-USA Community College Academic Team and be selected as a nominee by their college.

All State Community College Academic Team:

All-State Community College Academic Team members receive special recognition at regional ceremonies including medallions, certificates and may include scholarships. Contact:

Cherie Savage, Director, Meetings & Events
Community College League of California
2017 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 245-5035