Kathy Pace Technology Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Centre Technologies

Description
**Purpose and scope**
The Kathy Pace Technology Scholarship recognizes students who combine technical study with a commitment to using technology for community benefit. It targets students entering or continuing higher education in technology-related fields and emphasizes compassion, leadership, and community impact alongside technical ability. The award supports education costs so recipients can focus on learning and service.

Key takeaways:
- Honors students who plan to use technology to improve their communities.
- Open to rising freshmen, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing technology fields.
- Emphasizes values as well as academic focus.

Eligibility
**Who can apply**
Applicants must be residents of Texas or Oklahoma and either rising freshmen or currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students accepted to a college or university program. Candidates must be pursuing a technology-focused major (or have a documented degree plan showing such a focus) and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Proof of acceptance or current enrollment is required to confirm eligibility.

Key takeaways:
- Residency requirement: Texas or Oklahoma only.
- Academic status: rising freshman, undergraduate, or graduate with acceptance/enrollment proof.
- Major and GPA: technology major/degree plan required; minimum 3.0 GPA.

Award Value
**Amount and permitted uses**
The scholarship award is $5,000 and may be applied to tuition or other school-related expenses. Funds are intended to reduce financial barriers so recipients can pursue technology education and community-focused projects. The award amount is fixed at $5,000 per recipient.

Key takeaways:
- Award amount: $5,000.
- Usable for tuition and other eligible school-related costs.
- Designed to support both education and the recipient’s community-focused technology work.

Application Requirements
**Qualities and evaluation criteria**
Selection favors applicants who demonstrate compassion, community engagement, and a commitment to using technology to benefit others. Candidates should show evidence of leadership or supportive behavior, and describe plans for working responsibly with technology in the future. The review weighs both the applicant’s personal values and the practical potential of their academic or project plans.

Key takeaways:
- Emphasis on community-mindedness and supportive leadership.
- Evaluation includes both character and intended use of technology.
- Applicants should clearly articulate how they plan to use technology for positive impact.

Required Documents
**What to submit**
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Unofficial copy of your high school or college transcript.
- Degree plan showing technology major or focus.
- Essay (maximum 800 words) addressing: (1) what technology means to you and (2) how you plan to work with technology in the future.
- Proof of acceptance to or current enrollment in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

Key takeaways:
- Submit two recommendations plus an unofficial transcript and degree plan.
- Include an 800-word maximum essay responding to the two specified prompts.
- Provide proof of acceptance or enrollment.

History of the Award
**Origin and legacy**
The scholarship honors the late Kathy Pace and reflects her belief in supporting the community through service and compassion. It was created to encourage the next generation of technology professionals to pair technical skill with ethical, community-focused practice. The award is a memorial vehicle for her values, intended to inspire recipients to use technology for social good.

Key takeaways:
- Established to honor Kathy Pace’s commitment to community support.
- Focuses on ethical, outward-looking uses of technology.
- Seeks to perpetuate Kathy Pace’s values through recipient impact.

Application Timeline
**Timing and preparation tips**
Specific deadlines and award cycles can vary; applicants should verify the current timeline with the scholarship administrator or sponsoring organization. Begin preparing materials at least 6–8 weeks before the expected deadline: request recommendations early, assemble transcripts and degree plans, and draft the essay well in advance. Submit all required documents together and double-check eligibility before applying.

Key takeaways:
- Deadlines vary—confirm current dates with the sponsor.
- Start preparing 6–8 weeks ahead; request recommendation letters early.
- Submit a complete application package and verify eligibility before submission.