2026 Employment-Readiness Grant Application

Application Information & Process

APPLICATION PROCESS
THIS APPLICATION IS NOT FOR STUDENTS WHO WILL ATTEND A 2 or 4 YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. There is a separate application for students attending a 2 or 4 year college or university.

Applications must be submitted online no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Paper or PDF submissions will not be accepted. The application may be stopped and started at any time, but applicants must advance to the next page in order for progress to be saved. Applicants must also log in from the same device and IP address in order to retrieve their saved application. For this reason, we suggest that applicants review the complete application and have all information prepared at the time of submission.

Questions can be emailed to Jenn.Scheeser@ja.org. No phone calls please.

Top applicants will partake in a 15-minute virtual interview with the JA scholarship selection committee in March, 2026. If applicable, you will be contacted in March to set up an interview time.

ABOUT THE AWARD
The amount awarded will vary between $500 to $3,000 each. Multiple awards are likely to be distributed. Exact amounts and the number awarded are dependent on funds available and the number of applicants. Students applying from Wayne County will automatically be considered for the Richard & Ruth Niemiec Scholarship.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Impact of Junior Achievement on educational development.
Enthusiasm for work readiness, entrepreneurship or a specific career pathway influenced by JA participation.
Current 12th grade student in Ashland, Carroll, Coshocton, Crawford, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Medina, Morrow, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Wayne or Wyandot counties.
Participated in at least one JA program at any grade level in one of the above counties.
Academic achievement of 2.5 or higher G.P.A. (verified prior to award).
Ability to succeed in college or career pathway.
Any student who receives a full scholarship (“full-ride”) to an institution is ineligible.

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Name *

Address *

Address 2

City *

State *

ZIP *

Email Address *

Mobile Number *

Question Title

* 2. High School Information
Note: G.P.A. will be verified prior to an award being issued.

School Name

G.P.A.

Question Title

* 3. Guidance Counselor Information

Guidance Counselor Name

Guidance Counselor Email

Guidance Counselor Phone Number and Extension

Question Title

* 4. Employment (if applicable)

Name of Current Employer

Hours worked per week (estimate)

Question Title

* 5. Parent or Guardian Information

Name

Phone Number

Name

Phone Number

Question Title

* 6. Please list the most recent Junior Achievement program(s) in which you have participated.

Program 1

Teacher

Grade

Program 2

Teacher

Grade

Program 3

Teacher

Grade

Question Title

* 7. Please list any further Junior Achievement program(s) in which you have participated. Include program, teacher and grade.

Question Title

* 8. What is your post-high school education or career plan?

Full-time job opportunity

Trade school/Apprenticeship

Other (please specify)

2026 Employment-Readiness Grant Application

Application Information & Process

Question Title

* 1. Contact Information

Question Title

* 2. High School InformationNote: G.P.A. will be verified prior to an award being issued.

Question Title

* 3. Guidance Counselor Information

Question Title

* 4. Employment (if applicable)

Question Title

* 5. Parent or Guardian Information

Question Title

* 6. Please list the most recent Junior Achievement program(s) in which you have participated.

Question Title

* 7. Please list any further Junior Achievement program(s) in which you have participated. Include program, teacher and grade.

Question Title

* 8. What is your post-high school education or career plan?

* 2. High School Information
Note: G.P.A. will be verified prior to an award being issued.