Just for Kids "Investing in Our Future" Scholarship

 

Empowering Youth in Our Community

Award Year: 2025-2026  |  Application Opens: December 5, 2025  |  Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Award Notification: March 1, 2026  |  Scholarship Amount: $1,000 (25 awards available)

Apply: https://forms.gle/kLFJ8tckz3gCRAmLA

 

This scholarship award is in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Childcare Network of the Niagara Frontier, Inc., a NYS nonprofit organization which oversees the Just for Kids school age programs across multiple school districts in WNY. The scholarship program recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, service to others, and a commitment to lifelong learning—values that align with the organization's mission to nurture and empower youth both inside and outside the classroom.

Scholarships are limited to students graduating from a district which currently offers a Just for Kids School Age Program, whether Before and/or After School, or Summer Club programming, and may be applied toward a wide range of postsecondary pathways, including colleges and universities, trade or technical schools, apprenticeships, and certificate programs, with a special emphasis on fields that strengthen our community, such as early childhood education and childcare.

Priority is given to:

  • Youth pursuing a degree in education or a related field, or enrolling in a workplace-readiness program in early childhood, Out-of-School Time, or a related program.
  • Previous Just for Kids program participants.
  • Previous or current Just for Kids program volunteers and staff.

We reserve the right to limit submissions to the first 100 applicants. Applications will be accepted beginning December 5, 2025.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be a current high school senior graduating from a school district which currently offers a Just for Kids school age prgoram
  • Plan to purse a postsecondary education such as college or university, trade or technical school, apprenticeship, or certificate program
    • Special emphasis given to fields that strenghten our community such as early childhood education or childcare
  • Demonstrate leadership, service to others, and a commitment to lifelong learning

  • Priority is given to:

    • Youth pursuing a degree in education or a related field, or enrolling in a workplace-readiness program in early childhood, Out-of-School Time, or a related program.
    • Previous Just for Kids program participants.
    • Previous or current Just for Kids program volunteers and staff.

 

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit all of the following:

  • Official or unofficial transcript
  • Personal essay (500 words): "Describe your educational and personal goals, how this scholarship will help you achieve them, and how your experiences—both in and outside of school—have prepared you for your next steps."
  • 1 letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer, coach, or community member (must not be a relative of yours).
  • Completed online application form

Please upload PDFs only (max file size: 10MB per file).

 

How to Apply

Apply via Google Forms: https://forms.gle/kLFJ8tckz3gCRAmLA

A Google Account is required to submit this form. Create your free Google Account here.

You will upload your transcript, essay, and recommendation letter directly in the form.

 

 

Important Dates

Application Opens: December 5, 2025

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Recipients Notified: March 1, 2026

 

 

Nondiscrimination Statement

This scholarship is open to current high school seniors who meet the stated eligibility requirements. Eligibility criteria are based solely on educational status and program alignment, and are not considered discriminatory.

The Childcare Network of the Niagara Frontier, Inc. and Just for Kids do not discriminate in the selection of scholarship recipients on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Selection will be made by an impartial review committee based on the established criteria.