2026 WSSRA High School Scholarship Application

Due March 1, 2026

The Washington State School Retirees' Association (WSSRA) invites high school seniors to apply for the Robert J. Handy and WSSR Foundation scholarships. These awards are given to students who plan to pursue a career in public education.

Statewide eight (8) WSSR – Foundation Scholarships and sixteen (16) PEMCO/ Robert J. Handy Scholarships will be awarded to students whose degree would be in one of these areas: teacher, counselor, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker or school psychologist. For the WSSR-Foundation, one $2,500 award will be granted in each of the eight WSSRA regions. For Handy, two $900 scholarships (redeemable for four years) will be awarded in each of the eight WSSRA regions by PEMCO.

In addition, two (2) Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarships at $2,000 each will be awarded to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and who will major in Agricultural Education at Washington State University.

Also, in each of WSSRA's eight regions, local WSSRA units may award additional scholarships.

WSSRA collects and distributes applications to readers in our eight regions who will select the recipients. Applicants will be notified by May 15, 2026, if they have been chosen.

Here are some important things you need to do before completing this form:

1) Consider printing a blank copy of this application form for reference as you prepare your responses.

2) Have three current letters of recommendation available to submit. Two recommendation letters must come from teachers, counselors, administrators, or school-based personnel. In addition, a third letter can come from a coach/mentor, religious leader, friend or family acquaintance. Note: The letters must address your potential to become an educator.

3) Have your transcripts available to submit.

4) Have a self portrait picture of yourself in JPEG format available to submit.

Click "Next" below.
Robert J. Handy/WSSR Foundation/Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarships

2026 Scholarship Application
Note: The Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarship is for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and who will major in Agricultural Education at Washington State University.
I am applying for (check one or more boxes).

Robert J. Handy/WSSR Foundation ScholarshipsGene Forrester Memorial Scholarship for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and who will major in Agricultural Education at Washington State University.

I. Applicant's Basic information

Please fill out the information requested below.
First Name*
Middle Name*
Last Name*
Mailing Address*
Mailing City*
Mailing State*
Mailing Zip
County*
Email*

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com
Home Phone Number *
Area Code+Phone Number (could be the same as cell number)
Cell Number *
Area Code+Phone Number
High School*
High School not in the above list
Graduation date*
Sample: 02152023
What college or university do you plan to attend? *
Have you already been formally admitted?
What educational field (such as, teacher, counselor, social worker, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, school psychologist) are you planning to pursue?*
Parent / Guardian information
First Name*   Last Name*        Area Code+Phone Number*

Street Address*

City*   State*   Zip*
Parent / Guardian information

First Name Last Name Area Code + Phone Number

Street Address

City State Zip

II. Statements

Please respond to each of the following questions or statements in a manner that allows us to see your potential as an educator you might become. Your responses in this section are vital to our determining who will receive our scholarships. Non-teacher applicants: When responding to these prompts, please substitute your chosen field of interest (for example, counselor, social worker, speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school psychologist) for "teacher".
We value your lived experiences and voice over borrowed AI content. We want to hear your authentic voice, motivation, and passion for pursuing a career in education.
1. List and briefly describe your community activities, volunteer work, leadership activities, school activities, sports, honors, and/or work experiences during your high school years:*
2. What has inspired or motivated you to become an educator? Please answer with a minimum of 100 words and maximum of 200 words.*
3. Describe an event, experience or challenge that you've encountered that led you to considering a career in education. Please address this with a minimum of 100 words and maximum of 200 words.*
4. Share something about yourself that is not covered elsewhere in the application that you believe is important for the selection committee to know. Please respond with a minimum of 100 words and maximum of 200 words.*
5. Describe what your financial need for attending college will be. If your needs are not financial, what kind(s) are they? Please answer this with a minimum of 100 words and maximum of 200 words.*

III. Letters of Recommendation

Please follow the instructions outlined below.
Please upload three letters of recommendaton [two must be from a teacher, counselor, administrator or other school-based worker AND one from a person outside of education.] Family members or relatives should not be recommenders. Each recommenation must address your potential for success in the field of education and your work ethic. All letters should be current.
1. Letter of recommendation from teacher, counselor, administrator, other school-based worker.

Preferably PDF or DOC (DOCX)
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1.
First Name   Last Name


Email    Area Code   Phone Number
2. Letter of recommendation from teacher or other school-based worker.

Preferably PDF or DOC (DOCX)
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2.
First Name   Last Name

Email    Area Code   Phone Number
3. Letter of recommendation from a person outside of the education field.

Preferably PDF or DOC (DOCX)
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3.
First Name   Last Name

Email    Area Code   Phone Number

IV. Transcript

Please upload transcript(s) here.
1.*

Preferably PDF or DOC (DOCX)
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2. Upload here if you have a second set of transcripts from a different school.

Preferably PDF or DOC (DOCX)
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V. Recent picture plus Waiver and Release Form:

In the event you are awarded a scholarship this is legally required in order for WSSRA to publish your name and photograph in our local newsletters and/or the WSSRA Journal.
Please submit a recent picture (Photo must be from the shoulders up)

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Signature of applicant over the age of 18 OR a parent guardian of applicants 17 and under:

Please choose whose signature we will be obtaining.
I am over the age of 18    Parent/guardian or custodian for applicant 17 and younger:*

I hereby give my permission to the Washington State School Retirees’ Association to use my name and/or likeness in media releases or news stories.

First Name   Last Name

Signature   Date

By signing/typing your legal name in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.

Clear
Should be Empty:

Robert J. Handy/WSSR Foundation/Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarships

I. Applicant's Basic information

II. Statements

III. Letters of Recommendation

IV. Transcript

V. Recent picture plus Waiver and Release Form: