Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship

The Career & Technical Education Scholarship supports students pursuing hands-on careers and professional pathways that do not require a traditional four-year degree. Rotary District 5870 clubs sponsor candidates who demonstrate strong potential in skilled trades, technical programs, or career-focused education.


District 5870 has allocated (6) six $5,000 CTE scholarships funded entirely by the Rotary District Grant, to support students pursuing career-focused education and training. These scholarships are designed for students entering skilled trades, technical programs, or professional fields such as engineering, healthcare, accounting, law, and more - without requiring a four-year degree and are not intended for students planning to transfer credits to a four-year institution.

The grants are funded through member contributions to Annual Fund-SHARE, returned to our District to use three years later. Upon their return, District 5870 designates a portion of the funds for club sponsored Career & Technical Education students. All district clubs are eligible to submit an application for a club sponsored candidate to receive Rotary Foundation funding upon meeting all qualification requirements.


Rotary Grant Qualification Requirements

To qualify to receive funding for District awarded CTE Scholarships, clubs must:

• Attend Grant Management Training Seminar (GMTS)
Both the President-Elect & at least one additional club member must attend.

• Submit Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) fillable form

• Provide a copy of the club’s IRS Form 990

• Enter Annual Fund & Polio Plus Goals in Rotary Club Central

• Ensure District & Rotary International dues are paid

• Have no overdue grant reports


Application Process

You are expected to read the handbook before finding a scholar; it contains important information you will need to navigate the selection process, propose a scholarship candidate, and (if your candidate is successful) receive the funds from District 5870.

✅ Club conducts internal candidate selection process - September 15 - March 26

✅ Club requests access to online application via Club Endorsement Form
Deadline to submit: March 23

✅ Upon verifying club has completed/submitted: (1) Grant Management Training (GMTS), (2) MOU and (3) 990 on (Public) Club Qualification Tracking WorkSheet and emails CTE Coordinator emails Club the Candidate Scholarship Application link

✅ Online application (along with required supporting documents) is submitted
Deadline to submit: April 10

✅ Club receives notification of individual interview time and zoom link to be held April 27, 2026

✅ CTES Coordinator informs students and sponsors of selection or non-selection of scholarship

✅ Awarded Scholarship Recipients submit required Acceptance Form

✅ Upon approval by Rotary International and fulfillment of ALL qualification requirements; club will receive funding

✅ Club Submits Final Report and receipts. Deadline to submit: June 15, 2028


Deadlines

June 15, 2026 - Club Interim or Final Reports for recipients in 2025-2026 Rotary year

July – September 2026 - Clubs develop a committee for interviewing and selecting a candidate for 2027-2028 school year.

September 15, 2026 - A sample CTE scholarship application and handbook will be available

March 23, 2026 - Deadline for Club CTES sponsors to REQUEST access for application

March 26, 2027 to April 10, 20267 - Club sponsors direct Scholarship candidates with application link

April 10, 2027 - Deadline for all applications.

April 27, 2026 - Candidate Interviews  

June 15, 2027 - Club Interim or Final Reports due for recipients of 2026 - 2027 Rotary year

Sponsoring clubs are expected to contribute at least another $250 towards the student’s expenses and can, if they desire, increase this amount to cover project costs.


Forms

The Forms section in the sidebar contains three important documents:

A sample CTES Application for download and review by Clubs and applicants. NOTE: Hardcopy applications will not be accepted. After clubs select their candidates, they must request a link to the online application from the District 5870 CTES Chair.

The link for the online RY 2026-27 CTES Club Endorsement for clubs sponsoring a CTES candidate. This form will not be open to receive responses until after 1 January 2027.


Downloads

The download section of this page also has three very important documents:

2027-28 CTES Handbook. START HERE

Final Report Form


Questions?

 

2025-28 District CTES Coordinator – Pat Satterwhite 5870CTES@gmail.com

Grants Subcommittee Chair, Ellison Crider ellisoncrider@gmail.com

District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair RY 2024-2027, Shannon Coleman shannoncolemanrotary@gmail.com

District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair RY 2027-2030, Ellison Crider ellisoncrider@gmail.com