Texas BPA Scholarship Opportunities

Special Dedications

Our two top scholarships are dedicated to two outstanding Texas BPA heroes who exemplify and embody the spirit of BPA.

 

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$2,500 -- Mildred Woerndel Scholarship   

Mildred Woerndel shared a love of teaching and for Business Professionals of America that spanned across the state and national levels. She taught at Seguin High School for 43 years, where she was a Business Professionals of America chapter advisor. She also served as the area advisor for her region and served on the Texas State BPA Board of Directors as the Secondary Advisory Committee Chair and the Area 3 Advisor representative. She also served on the National Business Professionals of America Board of Trustees. Ms. Woerndel passed away on January 20, 2016. She was a BPA legend and mentored many students and advisors over the years. Her passion was for youth to have opportunities through BPA and we are proud to offer this scholarship in her honor.

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$2,000 -- Vickie Thomas Scholarship   

Vickie Thomas has been recognized with the BPA Lifetime Dedication Award. She has positively affected thousands of students and advisor not only within her home state of Texas, but across the country by committing herself to building and growing many programs, services and events. She has participated in many of the organization's milestones, including the evolution of the organizations from the Office Education Association (OEA) into what is now Business Professionals of America (BPA). She worked in Houston ISD, served as the State Advisor for Texas for ten years and retired as the Assistant Director of Education at the National Center for Business Professionals of America. Vickie Thomas exemplifies BPA leadership and integrity.

2024-25 Online Scholarship Form

Available Scholarships:

1 - $2,500 Mildred Woerndel Scholarship 

1 - $2,000 Vickie Thomas Scholarship

2 - $1,500 Scholarships

1 - $1,000 CTAT Scholarship

7 - $1,000 Scholarships

10 - $750 Scholarships

4 - $500 Scholarships

Eligibility

  • Applicants must currently be a paid State and National member of BPA
  • Applicants must be a graduating senior planning to continue his/her education
  • Applicants must have participated in a BPA competition (Regional, State or National)
  • Application must be submitted online by February 7, 11:59 pm CST.

Application Process

  • Submit the online application and required documentation online.  Applications will be closed February 7, 11:59 pm CST.
  • The top 29 scores based on the guidelines below will be notified for a video submission. The video submission will answer predetermined questions selected by the Scholarship Committee. This video submission will be an additional 100 points of the total score, and scholarship monies will be awarded to the top 26 applicants. Not all students interviewed will be awarded scholarship monies.

Video Submission Process

  • Video Submissions will take place during the month of February 2024.
  • The top 29 chosen will be notified for a video submission of predetermined questions selected by the Scholarship Committee.
  • Recipients will dress for success and answer set questions by the Scholarship Committee.
  • Video Submission score will be added to application process score.

Notification

  • The top 26 will qualify for the scholarship awards listed above and will be invited to attend the Special Recognition Ceremony at the BPA State Leadership Conference.  A certificate will be issued at this time in lieu of the actual check.

Receipt of Scholarship

  • Scholarship recipients will be able to pick up their scholarship check at Conference Headquarters at the State Leadership Conference.  Students must bring a State ID/Driver's License and their conference name badge in order for their scholarship check to be released.
  • Scholarship recipients who are unable to attend the State Leadership Conference will have their checks mailed to the address on their application.

Send scholarship questions to:  texasbpascholarshipsubmission@gmail.com  

Grading Rubric

% of score

Application

Piece

Should include (but not limited to)

20

Application

Must be completed and typed with original signatures

20

Letter of Intent

Use Style & Reference Manual Personal Business Letter format; incorporate how BPA has made a difference in your life (No points will be awarded if not in-line with the style and reference manual)

20

Resume

Complete heading (Include-phone # & email address); Objective with Educational Career Goals (name of college or university and major or minor); Education; Work Experience (if applicable); BPA Activities (Include-competitions); Community Service; and Honor and Awards – this is for current experience, please keep to 1 page

20

Unofficial

Transcript

Must include 1st semester of senior year

(will be looking for rigor of course work and overall placement in graduating class)

20

Letter of

Recommendation

From someone other than BPA Advisor with original signature (i.e., counselor, employer, principal, coach, church, etc.);

(will be looking for character, academics, and extracurricular activities)

100 Total Possible Points