Scholarships & Awards

Criteria:

1. Applicant must be 18 or older, and have completed high school.

2. Applicant must be single and head of household.

3. All sections of the application MUST be complete to be considered for funding.

4. Email the attached completed application and referral letters to the contact person.

5. Complete the application in a 12 point font.

6. Must turn in by the deadline or the application will NOT be considered – April 1, 2024

7. Current residence or place of employment must be within a 30 mile radius of Longview, Texas.

Young Women in Public Affairs Award

A Zonta International Program, Funded by the Zonta International Foundation

General Information

The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award Program is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. 

In order for more women to be represented in key decision making positions worldwide, we must encourage young women to pursue careers or seek leadership positions in public policy making, government and volunteer organizations and further their education with these aims in view.

Public affairs refer to all aspects of community life where decisions have to be made about issues which relate to and affect those communities in which people work and live.

The Awards

Zonta clubs usually provide awards for club recipients.  District/region recipients receive US$1,000.  Ten international recipients are selected from the district/region recipients to receive additional awards of US$5,000 each.  District/region and international awards are funded by the Zonta International Foundation.

Who is Eligible?

Women, ages 16-19 on 1^st April each year, living in a Zonta district/region, or a citizen of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.  Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located will be considered and also eligible to apply for the district/region Award.  Z and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply.  Classified members and employees of Zonta International and Zonta International Foundation, and their family members, are not eligible to apply for the Awards.

• qActive commitment to volunteerism.
• qExperience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
• qVolunteer leadership achievements.
• qKnowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
• qSupport for Zonta International’s mission of building a better world for women and girls.

   

  Application Requirements

• qCompletion of the official application (may be downloaded from the Zonta International website, www.zonta.org).
• qVerification of current enrollment by school/institute official (if applicable), or
• qLetter from employer stating employment (if applicable).
• qTwo recommendations from adults, not related to the applicant, such as teachers, school officials, employee supervisors or community leaders, which must be sent directly to the Zonta club or district/region and not through the applicant.

Supporting documentation not requested will not be considered.   All applications and supporting information become the property of Zonta International.  Zonta International has final authority over any aspect of the Awards.

Application process

The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by February 17th.  If you downloaded the application, you must contact a Zonta club for deadline information.  Please locate the Zonta club nearest you using the Club Locator at www.zonta.org, or e-mail your name and contact information to the International Young Women in Public Affairs Award Committee Chairman at ywpachairman@zonta.org. 

Zonta clubs each select one application to send to the Zonta governor/region representative. A district/region evaluating committee reviews the applications and selects one applicant per district/region to submit to Zonta International Headquarters. The five largest districts in terms of Zonta membership may submit a second applicant to Zonta International Headquarters. The Zonta International Headquarters team confirms the eligibility of the applicants put forth by the districts/region and submits a recommendation to the Zonta International Board (or the Executive Committee acting on its behalf) for final approval. If approved by the Zonta International Board, the Zonta Foundation for Women provides awards and certificates to the international recipients. 

The completed application must be turned in by the deadline or the application will NOT be considered – February 17, 2024.