For Non-Members

Non-member scholarship opportunities through PTK

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) administers several scholarship opportunities for all community college students, regardless of membership or eligibility status. Below are several competitive scholarships that do not require you to be a PTK member but have other requirements that PTK membership may help you achieve.

* Once a student is nominated by their college, PTK will send application instructions directly to the student.

What do scholarship committees look for?

All scholarships often look beyond grades and consider a range of qualities and achievements. Here’s a breakdown of what many scholarship committees value in applicants:

  • Community Service

    Scholarships frequently reward students who demonstrate a commitment to their communities. Volunteering shows responsibility, empathy, and leadership, all of which are highly regarded.

  • Leadership Experience

    Whether it's a formal role in a student organization or leading a project, leadership experience indicates initiative, teamwork, and the ability to make an impact.

  • Extracurricular Involvement

    Participating in sports, arts, clubs, or other activities shows a well-rounded character and the ability to balance academics with other pursuits.

  • Career Goals and Ambition

    Some scholarships are geared towards specific career fields, so applicants who show a clear vision of their future career paths and ambitions often stand out.

  • Financial Need

    Many scholarships take financial need into account, especially if they are designed to assist students who might not otherwise be able to afford college.

  • Personal Background and Diversity

    Certain scholarships aim to support students from underrepresented backgrounds or unique life experiences, as these perspectives are valued for the diversity they bring to campuses.

  • Work Experience or Internships

    Work experience, including internships, shows practical skills, a strong work ethic, and dedication, especially if it aligns with career goals.

  • Essays and Personal Statements

    Scholarships often require essays in which students can share their personal stories, goals, and motivations. This is an opportunity for applicants to express their unique voices and stand out.

  • Recommendations and References

    Recommendations and references from teachers, advisors, or mentors provide insight into an applicant's character, work ethic, and accomplishments.

These qualities show that the applicant is committed and ready to contribute positively to their college and community.

How can membership help?

PTK’s programs give students a comprehensive platform to not only learn how to build a winning scholarship application, but also, our programs provide students a platform for community service, undergraduate research, leadership experience, and our 3,000 advisors who spend a great deal of time writing recommendations and providing references. Here is how we do this work:

  • Getting Involved on Campus - Getting involved in service through Phi Theta Kappa isn’t just about giving back—it’s about personal growth too. By participating in service projects, you’ll develop valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, all while making real connections with your peers.
  • Leadership Opportunities - Taking on leadership roles in student organizations is a game-changer for students. It’s not just about the title; it’s about gaining real-world skills you can’t get from textbooks. You’ll get hands-on experience in managing teams, projects, and resources—skills that are essential for any career. Plus, you’ll level up your communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Undergraduate Research - PTK chapters conduct undergraduate research through the Honors in Action (HIA) program. HIA combines Honors Study Topic exploration, problem-solving, and action-oriented service to address real-world challenges in our communities. Students gain job-related experience while creating lasting impacts in their communities as they engage in HIA.
  • Transfer Edge - This is PTK’s most popular online course. It guides students through funding their education, researching transfer options, selecting suitable schools, submitting strong applications, and ensuring a smooth transition to university life. This curriculum also gives students advice on writing essays and personal statements required for the most selective schools. See all the Edge courses Here
  • Expert Advice Webinars - Our “expert advice” sessions cover topics such as career development, transfer success, personal growth, and industry insights. Each year, we help thousands of students connect with transfer professionals through our information and break-out sessions.
  • PTK Connect - PTK Connect allows students to search and research transfer scholarships, colleges, and career pathways. We combine data from external sources like college websites and IPEDS with PTK’s Transfer Honor Roll to help students compare and lock in on important data points such as success rates, cost, credit transfer, and financial aid availability.
  • FAFSA Mentor - FASFA Mentor is PTK’s customized Artificial Intelligence (AI) application based on Open AI tech that provides real-time language and video—tuned to give students the best and most correct information for FAFSA completion.

Transfer Honor Roll

PTK began the Transfer Honor Roll in 2016, and since that time, we have awarded what we believe are the best colleges for community college students to have a successful transfer experience. The Transfer Honor Roll is a great place to start if you are looking for a college or university where you will feel welcome, receive great financial aid benefits, be successful, and have your transfer credits count toward your degree. Over 900 four-year colleges and universities compete for the Transfer Honor Roll recognition. This prestigious honor is based primarily on 5 criteria:

  1. Campus friendliness and sense of belonging.
  2. Availability of need- and merit-based financial aid.
  3. Acceptance of transfer credits toward a four-year degree program.
  4. Recruitment experience and campus life for transfers.

If you are not a member of Phi Theta Kappa, we strongly encourage you to consider the colleges receiving this recognition. The Transfer Honor Roll program, while sponsored by PTK, does not require these institutions to have a PTK member-exclusive scholarship as a criterion for this recognition. This program is for ALL students seeking to transfer – so we invite you to check it out. Take me to the Transfer Honor Roll.

Other Programming for Non-Members

PTK offers a series of webinars each month designed to support both members and non-members in their academic and professional journeys. These sessions cover a range of topics, including:

  • Understanding PTK Membership: Learn about the benefits and opportunities that come with joining PTK.
  • Scholarship Application Strategies: Gain insights into crafting compelling scholarship applications to enhance your chances of success.
  • Resume Building and Interview Preparation: Receive guidance on creating standout resumes and excelling in interviews, particularly beneficial for those entering the workforce.

These webinars are part of PTK's commitment to offering valuable resources to all students, regardless of membership status. To stay updated on upcoming sessions and register, visit PTK's official learn more page located here: Calendar of Non-Member Events