Applications are now open for the Junior League of Cleveland’s Scholarship for Women Reclaiming Their Education. This initiative aims to support women in Northeast Ohio whose academic pursuits have been disrupted. The scholarship offers awards of up to $5,000 for non-traditional students and women who have aged out of foster care. Funds can be used for tuition and essential expenses, including childcare, transportation, technology, or textbooks. The deadline for applications is February 1.
Pamela Tull Radisek, Scholarship Chair, emphasized the organization’s commitment to education, stating, “The Junior League of Cleveland believes every woman deserves the chance to finish what she started.” She highlighted that various life circumstances, such as family responsibilities or unexpected challenges, can hinder a woman’s educational journey. “This scholarship exists to help remove those barriers and open doors for women ready to take their next step.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be permanent residents of one of eight Ohio counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, or Trumbull. Additionally, they must be enrolled in an accredited college, trade program, or graduate school in Ohio. Tull Radisek explained that a non-traditional student is defined as a woman who has begun her college or technical education but had to withdraw due to various life challenges.
Since its inception in 2004, the scholarship fund initially focused on non-traditional students but expanded in 2011 to include women who have aged out of foster care, a group the Junior League has consistently supported through various initiatives. In recent years, significant changes have been implemented to improve access and equity within the application process.
The committee transitioned to a fully digital application system, established a clear evaluation rubric, and mandated implicit bias training for judges. Tull Radisek noted the importance of these adjustments, stating, “We designed an application that was inaccessible for the very people we needed to reach.” By engaging with past applicants and judges, the committee identified barriers within the system and aimed to create a process aligned with its mission of supporting women returning to education.
Interest in the scholarship has surged due to these changes, with the committee now receiving between 20 and 25 applications each year. Tull Radisek expressed admiration for the applicants, saying, “These women have the most incredible stories. They are passionate and hold on to their dreams with a tenacity that is inspiring.” She added that successful candidates are often deeply invested in their communities and motivated to pave the way for future generations of women.
Tull Radisek encourages eligible women not to underestimate their potential. “This funding is dedicated to women who have not given up,” she remarked. “It is so unique—a scholarship designed specifically for women returning to their education. We want them to know they deserve to finish.”
Scholarship recipients will be notified by March 1 and will be honored at the Junior League of Cleveland’s Spring Together event, celebrating their commitment to education and the resilience of women in the community.
