Eligibility
The LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship Program is available to staff of provider members of LeadingAge PA who:
• Have been employed by a LeadingAge PA member in PA for at least one year
• Agree to maintain a record of acceptable employment during the scholarship year
• Are accepted or enrolled* in an appropriate college, university, training, or certification program in areas of study, including nursing-related fields (i.e., CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, MSN, etc.) and non-nursing-related fields (i.e., food service, therapy, social work, management, accounting, marketing, engineering, hospitality, etc.) to benefit the aging services sector.
• Agree to provide proof of funds disbursed and proof of completion of the program**
*If an individual has not yet been accepted, they can still apply for the scholarship. If selected for an award, they must provide proof of acceptance within 30 days of receiving notification of the award. Failure to do so will result in the award being rescinded.
** Winners must provide proof of funds being disbursed as well as proof of program completion. This includes submitting a bill or statement from the program and official documentation confirming the completion of the program. Failure to provide either of these documents will result in a request for the funds to be returned to the LeadingAge PA Foundation.
Application Components
For consideration, submit a fully completed application for a LeadingAge PA Professional Development Scholarship and ensure to include all of the following components:
1. Personal Statement: Please upload a personal statement, describing your experience working in aging services, future professional plans, and any future commitment to working in an organization providing services to older adults. (300- 500 words)
2. Proof of acceptance*
3. Copy of bill or statement**
4. Copy of transcripts or most recent grade report, if applicable.
5. One letter of recommendation completed by someone familiar with your professional work performance, such as an organization leader, director, supervisor, or manager. References from friends, family, or co-workers will not be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
The selection task force consisting of LeadingAge PA members and staff will evaluate applications using the following criteria:
• Does the applicant meet the defined eligibility requirements?
• Does the applicant demonstrate commitment to pursuing an educational opportunity that will ultimately enhance their professional development for a continued career in aging services?
• Comments on the recommendation form completed by organization leader, director, supervisor, or manager
• Consideration may also be given to the following:
₀ Geographic location of the member organization
₀ Tuition assistance program currently offered by the member organization
₀ Type of program, degree, or certificate being pursued
₀ Financial need of the applicant
Due Upon Completion:
• Although funds will have already been dispersed, proof of completion will be required within 15 days of the last day of the program. If the program extends beyond a year (i.e. a 2 or 4 year degree program), please provide proof of completion at the end of the semester.
₀ If proof of completion is not provided or the recipient withdraws, LeadingAge PA Foundation will require that the funds be returned within 15 days of the last day of the program or withdrawal date from the program, whichever is applicable. Proof of completion can be submitted at leadingagepa.org/ scholarships.
By applying for this award, I acknowledge the eligibility requirements and agree to follow the procedures outlined above.
A selection task force comprised of LeadingAge PA members and staff determines awardees and reserves the right to add, remove, or waive eligibility criteria as deemed necessary. The selection task force will work to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the selection process. The total number of scholarships awarded is based on the number of applications received. LeadingAge PA also reserves the right to verify the eligibility of applicants. Submission Deadline: To ensure consideration, applicants must submit the completed application form and components outlined by April 10, 2026. It is the responsibility of the scholarship applicant to ensure applications are complete prior to submission. Applications that fail to meet the eligibility criteria or are incomplete will not be considered for review. Applicants will receive notification of their acceptance status by the end of spring 2026.
DISCLAIMER: LeadingAge PA is committed to the responsible, ethical and transparent usage of AI technologies in our operations. We request that submissions be created without the use of AI for content generation and that AI be used solely for refining purposes. Submissions with minimal AI involvement may receive preferential consideration