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 (4) four $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 26

✅ 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 4

✅ Club receives notification of individual interview time and zoom link to be held April 19, 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, 2027


Deadlines

June 15, 2025 - Club Interim or Final Reports for recipients in 2024-2025 Rotary year

July – September 2025 - Clubs develop a committee for interviewing and selecting a candidate for 2026-2027 school year.

September 15, 2025 to March 23, 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 23, 2026 to April 4, 2026 - Club sponsors direct Scholarship candidates with application link

April 4, 2026 - Deadline for all applications.

Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Candidate Interviews (beginning at 1:30 PM)

April 19 - 23, 2026 - District informs students and sponsors of selection of recipients

April 23, 2026 - Deadline for Recipients to fill out Acceptance Form

June 15, 2026 - Club Interim or Final Reports due for recipients of 2025 - 2026 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 2026.

The link for the RY 2026-27 CTES acceptance for candidates selected for a scholarship. This form will not be open to receive responses until after the April 19, 2026 District CTES interviews.


Downloads

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

2026-27 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, Shannon Coleman shannoncolemanrotary@gmail.com