Scholarships

The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize student leadership, scholastic achievement, and to promote a love for learning by encouraging success through higher education. Scholarships are awarded to assist with expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and on-campus room and board. Payment will be made directly to the institution upon verification of enrollment. This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship awarded exclusively to student-athletes.

Family Requirements

• Booster Club Membership: The student’s family must maintain an active membership in the Booster Club for each year of the student’s participation in Pearland High School girls' softball program.

• Booster Fundraiser: The family must meet minimum fundraiser sales or elect the buyout option.

Student Requirements

• Enrollment: The applicant must be a traditional college student entering a four-year college or university, junior college, trade school, or community college, and must enroll as a full-time student.

• GPA: The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as verified by the Pearland High School counselor.

• Community Service: The student must have completed at least two community service events for each year of participation in Pearland High School girls' softball.  Community service must be documented with signatures from the community event sponsor.

• Letter of Recommendation: The student must submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, school advisor, community service leader, or employer.

• Application Submission: The applicant must submit a completed application by the designated deadline.

• Program Equipment/Uniforms: The applicant must return all equipment, uniforms, or other items that belong to the program, or pay for any lost items.

• Roster Status: The student must maintain active roster status for each year of participation in Pearland High School girls' softball program,  and must complete this status through their Senior season.

• Behavior and Sportsmanship: The student must have adhered to the Pearland High School code of conduct, displaying exemplary behavior and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Ineligibility

• Incomplete Applications: Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will be disqualified.

• Athletic Scholarships: Any student-athlete who has received a full athletic scholarship to any college or university is not eligible for the Booster Club scholarship.

• False Information: Any falsified information provided in the application will result in immediate disqualification from the scholarship process.

• Failure to Meet Requirements:  Student-athletes are ineligible if they do not meet the requirements listed in the student and family sections or have not taken steps to make up per the eligibility make-up guidelines.

Eligibility Make-Up Guidelines

If a student fails to meet the eligibility requirements for any given year, they may “make-up” requirements by fulfilling the relevant following conditions:

• Additional Booster Club Membership: The family may purchase one additional Booster Club membership in a later year.

• Additional Volunteering: The family may volunteer for up to two additional Booster Club events in a later year.

• Additional Community Service: The student may participate in up to two additional community service events in a later year.

• Fundraiser Sales: The buyout option can be purchased via donate now link or volunteer for two additional Booster Club event volunteer slots for each year the sales requirements were missed.

1. Application Submission Deadline:
   All scholarship applications must be submitted by March 15 of the student’s senior year.

2. Review and Evaluation:
   Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

   • GPA (15%)

   • Community service involvement (30%)

   • Leadership skills (30%)

   • Letter of recommendation (25%)

3. Notification of Recipients:
   Scholarship recipients will be notified at the Softball Banquet. Applicants who were not selected are encouraged to inquire about the reasons for their non-selection via the appeals process.

4. Appeals Process:
   If a student or family disagrees with a decision regarding eligibility or disqualification, they may submit a written appeal to the Booster Club board within two weeks of scholarship awards announcement. The appeal will be reviewed by a separate committee within one week.

1. Proof of Enrollment:
   Scholarship recipients must provide proof of full-time enrollment at their selected institution by September 1. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the scholarship.  They will be given the contact information, at the Softball Banquet when they are awarded the scholarship amount. 

2. Disbursement of Funds:
   Scholarship funds will be distributed directly to the recipient’s institution upon verification of enrollment. No funds will be disbursed directly to students or families.

3. Follow-Up Report (Optional):
   Recipients are encouraged to provide a brief follow-up report to the Booster Club at the end of their first semester, outlining their academic experience and progress. This optional requirement is appreciated and is a way to maintain the club’s engagement with scholarship recipients.

• Behavioral Violations: Any violations of school or team conduct policies may result in disqualification from scholarship eligibility.

• Failure to Comply: Recipients who fail to meet the post-award requirements (e.g., providing proof of enrollment) will forfeit their scholarship.

• If a scholarship recipient cannot accept the award or is disqualified, an alternate applicant may be selected based on the next highest score from the evaluation process.

The scholarship review board that awards scholarships to student-athletes should consist of a diverse group of individuals who bring various perspectives and expertise to the decision-making process. A scholarship selection committee, comprised of at least three eligible Booster Club members, two Pearland High School faculty members, and one non-affiliated volunteer.  To maintain the integrity of the review process, any scholarship review board member who has a personal or family relationship with an applicant must recuse themselves from the review of that applicant. This diverse composition will help the board make well-rounded decisions that consider both the academic and athletic achievements of the student-athletes.