NYS PTA Jenkins Memorial Scholarship
Offered by New York State PTA
About This Scholarship
The Jenkins Memorial Scholarship has been run by the New York State PTA since 1946, when it launched as a Golden Anniversary project to steer promising students into teaching. Today it awards $4,000, paid in installments, to public high school seniors in New York who plan to prepare for a teaching career. The 2026-2027 application is open now, and completed applications must be postmarked (not metered) to the NYS PTA office by December 15, 2026.
The college path is specific: recipients must plan to attend a State University of New York college for a baccalaureate degree in education, or start at a two-year community college before transferring into a SUNY education baccalaureate program. The applicant's high school must have a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing, and each high school may put forward only two candidates - so the first conversation is with your school counselor, not the application PDF.
Selection weighs character and personality, academic achievement, and potential teaching ability. Jenkins Scholars are notified around May 1 and must stay in an education curriculum: transcripts go to the NYS PTA office each year, and changing majors ends the scholarship. For a future teacher heading to SUNY, this is a 79-year-old award with a two-per-school cap that keeps the odds unusually favorable.
Eligibility
- Public high school senior in New York State
- Attends a high school with a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing (each school may submit only two candidates)
- Plans to prepare for a teaching career
- Plans to attend a SUNY college for a baccalaureate degree in education, or a two-year community college before transferring to a SUNY education baccalaureate program
How To Apply
- Ask your school counselor about being one of your high school's two Jenkins candidates
- Download the Jenkins Memorial Scholarship application (PDF or fillable PDF) from the NYS PTA awards page
- Complete the application with your school's PTA/PTSA standing confirmed
- Mail the completed application to the New York State PTA office, postmarked (not metered) by December 15, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Jenkins Memorial Scholarship?
New York public high school seniors at schools with a PTA/PTSA in good standing who plan to pursue a SUNY education degree (directly or via community college transfer). Each high school may submit only two candidates.
How is the $4,000 paid?
In installments across the recipient's education program, and continued eligibility requires staying in an education curriculum - transcripts must be sent to the NYS PTA office within 60 days of each academic year's end.
What happens if a winner changes majors?
Jenkins Scholars who leave the education curriculum must notify the NYS PTA office, and the scholarship ends immediately.