CLEVELAND, OH—November 18, 2025—The Junior League of Cleveland (JLC) is proud to announce that applications are now open for the JLC Scholarship for Women Reclaiming Their Education, a program dedicated to supporting Greater Cleveland women whose educational paths have been interrupted. This initiative reflects the Junior League of Cleveland’s commitment to promoting equity, expanding opportunity, and empowering women to complete their post-secondary goals.

Scholarships up to $5,000 will be awarded to women across Northeast Ohio, regardless of JLC membership. The application window is open November 1 through February 1, and all materials can be submitted through a fully digital process. Funds may be used for tuition as well as essential support such as childcare, transportation, technology, or textbooks.

“The Junior League of Cleveland believes every woman deserves the chance to finish what she started,” said Pamela Tyll Radišek, Scholarship Chair. “We know that life circumstances, family responsibilities, or unexpected challenges can delay a woman’s education. This scholarship exists to help remove those barriers and open doors for women ready to take their next step.”

Since its establishment in 2004, the JLC Scholarship Fund has supported more than 50 local women. Originally created to assist non-traditional students, the program expanded in 2011 to also include women who have aged out of foster care. Each year, a committee of JLC members reviews applications using a structured evaluation rubric to ensure fairness and equity throughout the process.

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

• Identify as women.
• Be non-traditional students or women who have aged out of foster care.
• Be pursuing a fully accredited college, technical program, or graduate degree in Ohio.
• Reside in one of the following counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, or Trumbull.

Non-traditional students are defined as individuals whose education was interrupted due to life responsibilities, work or family obligations, or unexpected challenges that delayed their ability to start or continue their education.

Application Requirements

All applicants must submit:

• A completed scholarship application (digital link available November 1).
• A personal essay (900 words max).
• One letter of recommendation.

Applications close February 1, 2026, and recipients will be notified by March 1, 2026. Awards will be presented at the Junior League of Cleveland’s Spring Together event on March 14, 2026.

Applications can be found at www.juniorleaguecleveland.org or https://cleveland.jl.org/community/scholarship/

ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND

Founded in 1912, the Junior League of Cleveland (JLC) is a nonprofit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For more than 100 years, JLC has catalyzed lasting community change, supporting initiatives that strengthen Northeast Ohio. Follow them at @juniorleaguecleveland.