MISSION
To create a scholarship program in support of PSO’s mission to provide free and equitable access to education.
ELIGIBILITY
- The scholarship contest is open to current high school seniors who plan to attend either a 4-year college, a 2-year community college, or a vocational school after their high school graduation.
- Applicants must be a US resident and be enrolled in an online public school or independent study program in the US.
- All participants must have a valid and verifiable email address.
- PSO employees and affiliates and their family members are ineligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested students must complete the scholarship application by providing the following information:
- Full Name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
- High school name and address
- Intended college or vocational school
- Parent/guardian signature for applicants under 18-years-old
APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT EITHER:
- A 250-word written essay on the provided essay topic.
OR
- A 2-minute video essay on the provided essay topic uploaded to a public platform (e.g., YouTube) with a shareable link
ESSAY TOPIC:
Applicants must address the following topic in their written essay or video essay: Reflect on your high school experience attending an online public school or independent study program. Describe how it has shaped your educational journey. Provide an example of how your virtual education has provided you with an opportunity that a traditional education could not? Supplemental materials including photography portfolios, dance choreography, etc. that reinforce submissions can be included.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
- The application and written essay or video essay must be submitted no later than Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT.
- Late submissions will not be considered.
SELECTION CRITERA:
- Submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality, content quality, and adherence to the contest theme.
- A panel of judges, selected by PSO will review and evaluate all entries.
- No consideration will be given to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
- All selections will be based solely on the factors described above.
- No lottery system will be used to determine scholarship recipients.
- Supplemental materials that reinforce submissions can be included.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:
- Scholarships will be individually awarded to 13 winners in the amount of 1 x $2,500, 5 x $1,000 and 7 x $500.
NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS:
- Winners will be notified by email or phone no later than March 6, 2026.
- The scholarship awards will be disbursed directly to the student.
PUBLICITY AND PRIVACY:
- By participating in this scholarship contest, applicants grant PSO the right to use their names, likenesses, and essays for promotional and marketing purposes.
- Personal information provided by applicants will be used solely for the purpose of administering the scholarship contest and will not be shared with third parties.
- Applicants under the age of 18-years-old will require a parent/guardian signature.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
ADMINISTRATION & MONITORING
- PSO will maintain records and case histories for scholarship recipients. These records will include the following information:
o Name/address of each scholarship recipient
o Amount of scholarship distributed
o Purpose for which the scholarship was given
o Manner in which the recipient was selected
- Any relationship between the recipient and:
o Officers or directors of PSO or their family members
o Substantial contributors to PSO, or their family members
o A corporation controlled by a substantial contributor
- PSO will pay scholarship awards directly to the student for the purpose of offsetting qualified education expenses like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment.
o Please note that costs such as room and board are not qualified education expenses and thus not tax-deductible for the student
DISCLAIMER
- PSO reserves the right to modify or cancel the scholarship contest at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or low participation.
- No generative artificial intelligence (A.I.) may be used for submissions. PSO reserves the right to cancel submissions that have been found to use generative A.I.
PSO wishes all applicants the best of luck!