About the Program

Three $1,500 scholarships will be awarded for post-secondary education.

Applications accepted through Monday, May 11, 2026

Download the application

Post-secondary education scholarships are awarded annually to three dependent children of Clerk employees. Scholarship money comes from employee donations to the Clerk’s Dress Down program, which also allows employees to donate to local charities.

The Charitable Giving Committee, consisting of employees from throughout our office, selects the scholarship winners based on a 500-word essay, community service participation and grade point average. Each selected recipient receives a one-time payment of $1,500.

Criteria

1. Applicant must be an employee’s natural child, step-child, adopted child, grandchild, child of the employee’s domestic partner, or child an employee has legal custody of, based on the requirements of dependency of children as established by the administration of benefits by the Human Resources department. Applicant must be claimed as a dependent on the employee's income taxes to be eligible for this scholarship.
2. Applicant must have a cumulative GPA (grade point average not HPA) of at least 3.0.
3. Applicant must be a high school senior or college student who is enrolled in a minimum of 3 classes or 9 credit hours per semester at an accredited college, university or technical school. The applicant may already have college credits from previous studies while attending high school.
4. Scholarship awards are for use as tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance, or fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses immediately following disbursement of the award (see Tax Considerations section below).
5. Scholarship recipients must provide the Communications department with proof of enrollment in order to receive the scholarship check.
6. Past scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.
7. Dependents of all Clerk employees are eligible to apply.
8. All judging decisions of the Charitable Giving Committee and Executive Committee are final.

Instructions

1. Complete the Scholarship Application and submit it with the required materials listed below to:
   
   Email:
   Communications@mypalmbeachclerk.com, or
   
   Mail:
   Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County
   Attn: Communications
   301 N. Olive Ave, 9th Floor
   West Palm Beach, FL 33401
   
   
2. Required Materials
   1. 500-word essay: Explain how you want to make a difference in our community. Applications with essays exceeding the word limit will not be considered. Essays must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri font and in 12 pt. type.
   2. One copy of applicant’s unofficial high school, college, university or technical school transcripts.
   3. One proof of college or university course enrollment/registration (minimum of 3 classes or 9 credit hours required).
   4. Two letters of recommendation from teachers or outside professional sources.
   5. Letter from each organization where community service occurred or school transcript verifying community service hours.

Tax Considerations

If you received a scholarship, all or part of it may be taxable, even if you did not receive a Form W-2. Generally, the entire amount is taxable if you are not a candidate for a degree. If you are a candidate for a degree, you generally can exclude from income that part of the grant used for:

• Tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance
• Fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for your courses.

You cannot exclude from income any part of the grant used for other purposes, such as room and board.

A scholarship generally is an amount paid for the benefit of a student at an educational institution to aid in the pursuit of studies. For example, if an award recipient receives $1,000 and pays tuition, fees, books and supplies in the amount of $700, and pays room and board with the remaining $300, then $300 is taxable income.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child’s college enrollment period starts after the scholarship deadline? Can my child still apply without proof of enrollment?

Yes, they can still apply. For example, if enrollment for the fall semester begins in July, they can still complete the scholarship application, but they must show proof of your child's college acceptance letter. Proof of enrollment is still needed but can be turned in at a later date. 

Does this scholarship only apply to schools in Florida?

The child does not have to attend a school in Florida to apply. 

When is the scholarship deadline? 

All applications must be submitted to Communications by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026.

What are the qualifications to apply? 

Applicants must:

• Be a dependent of a Clerk Employee
• Not have previously received a Clerks for a Cause Scholarship
• Be a high school senior or college student enrolled in a minimum of 3 classes or 9 credit hours per semester at an accredited college, university, or technical school (Refer to question 1 if you do not have proof of enrollment.) 

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Contact Colleen Riemer at 561-355-2858 or cpriemer@mypalmbeachclerk.com.

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