Scholarships - Zonta Club of Cheektowaga Lancaster

Education is Vital

An African proverb says, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”. Education is one of the ways Zonta is addressing gender equality and serving to empower women both on a local and international basis. Furthering a women’s access to education provides women with choice and with choice comes opportunity. Gender equality has also been integrated into the United Nations Sustainable Goals for the 2030 platform. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Implementing new legal frameworks regarding female equality in the workplace and the eradication of harmful practices targeted at women is crucial to ending the gender-based discrimination prevalent in many countries around the world. Through the education of women and young girls, the impact of inequality, discrimination and economic sustainability can be addressed.

Throughout the year, educational scholarships are offered through the Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Foundation or through Zonta International. These scholarships include:

Amelia Earhart Fellowship

The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is awarded at the Zonta International level only. Zonta International established this scholarship in 1938, in honor of Amelia Earhart, famed pilot and member of the Zonta Club of New York. Women Fellowships are awarded annually to a woman pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible. Students must be registered in a full-time Ph.D./doctoral program and have completed at least one year of that program or have received a master’s degree in an aerospace-applied field at the time the application is submitted. Zonta International will award scholarships to a maximum of 30 students at $10,000 each. The applications deadline is November 15 of each year. Additional information pertaining to this scholarship may be found at: https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Amelia_Earhart_Fellowship.aspx?hkey=87230eef-bcc2-4e78-97bc-97f0cdd281ac Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

Jane Klausman

This scholarship sponsored at both the local, district and international level was established in 1997, is designed to encourage undergraduate women of any age, pursuing a business program with major field of specialization in accounting, finance, business management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and are living or studying in a Zonta district/region, are eligible. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute. The Jane Klausman scholarship is offered once a year and applications are to be submitted to the Zonta Cheektowaga-Lancaster Foundation by June 1. If chosen at the local level, the applicant advances to the next round to compete at the District 4 level and is eligible to compete for a $2,000 scholarship and is submitted to the International level. Zonta International awards four scholarships for $8,000 each. More information can be found at: https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Women_in_Business_Scholarship.aspx?hkey=5fb4f07a-f30d-42ad-bb53-7cb802f1eb7c Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

Young Women in Public Affairs

The Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship is designed to encourage young women, age 16-19, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta District/region or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country, who are pursuing careers and seek leadership positions in public policy, government and volunteer organizations and is offered at the local, district and International level. YWPA is offered once a year with applications submitted to Zonta Club of Cheektowaga Lancaster by March 1. If a candidate is chosen at the Club level, she will receive a scholarship award of $550. The candidate’s application is forwarded onto the District and the candidate where she may be eligible to receive a $1,500 scholarship. Any candidates who are chosen at the District level will be submitted to the International level and are eligible for a $4,000 scholarship. Ten scholarships are awarded at the International level. More information on this scholarship can be found at: https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Zonta_Young_Women_in_Leadership_Award.aspx?hkey=95bdfa33-5efe-457e-b3bb-9e9e59500161 Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

Females in Trades (FIT)

Female in Trades is a local scholarship offered to a female who is pursuing a trade in which women are historically underrepresented. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Eligible applicants must be a resident of the Cheektowaga, Lancaster or Depew area. Successful applicants will receive a $500 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

Women in Transition (WIT)

Women who are pursuing their career goals by increasing her skills and workforce opportunities through continuing education are eligible for the Women in Transition scholarship. Applicants must be 25 years of age and are returning to school in preparation for future workforce opportunities. Eligible applicants must be a resident of the Cheektowaga, Lancaster or Depew area. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.

High School Senior Girls Educational Scholarship for Commitment to Volunteerism & Community Service

This scholarship will be awarded to a young woman who has demonstrated that she understands the value and has a personal commitment to community service and doing her part to make our world a better place. In addition, she has communicated a vision of how she might contribute to the betterment of women in our society. The student must have an average of 80 or better (GPA). This scholarship is based on the student’s ideals and demonstration of commitment that is aligned to the Zonta mission. This scholarship is offered annually, and applications are due by March 31. Successful applicants will receive a $1,000 scholarship. One or more scholarships may be awarded annually. Applications for this scholarship will be available on this website during the open application period.