Care Throughout the Ages Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Romano & Sumner, PLLC
Romano & Sumner Caregiver Scholarship — Quick Reference
Description
**Purpose**
This scholarship recognizes students who have provided significant caregiving or support to a loved one during a time of increased need. It was created to honor the personal sacrifices caregivers make while balancing education, work, or other responsibilities. Applicants tell their story through a focused personal essay that explores the caregiving experience, lessons learned, and how it has shaped their outlook.
Key takeaways:
- Created to honor and support students who acted as caregivers.
- Focus is on personal sacrifice, life lessons, and perspective change.
- Applicants must submit a personal essay describing their caregiving experience.
Eligibility
**Who may apply**
The scholarship is open to legal U.S. residents (all 50 states + D.C.) who are current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, or graduate students and who will be enrolled for the semester immediately following the application deadline. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing. Employees of Romano & Sumner, PLLC, their immediate family members, and household members of those employees are ineligible. Preference may be given to students from or attending secondary school in Texas.
Key takeaways:
- Open to high school seniors through graduate students who are U.S. residents.
- Must be enrolled for the semester right after the application deadline.
- Minimum GPA requirement: 3.0 and good academic standing.
- Employees, immediate family, and household members of firm employees are excluded.
- Preference may be given to Texas students.
Award Value
**Scholarship amount**
Romano & Sumner, PLLC, awards a single $1,000 scholarship designed to assist with education-related expenses. The fund is intended to help offset costs associated with continuing education for a student who has served as a caregiver. Specific disbursement details will be provided to the award recipient.
Key takeaways:
- One scholarship awarded.
- Award amount: $1,000.
- Intended to support education-related expenses.
Application Requirements
**Required materials**
Applicants must complete the application form and submit a 750–1,000 word personal essay responding to the prompt about prioritizing a loved one’s health or support needs (including dementia or other age-related care). Essays are reviewed for originality; submissions that show AI-generated content will be denied. Additional required materials include a current résumé with contact and academic/professional experience and current school transcripts; first-year, transfer, and recent institution-change applicants may submit an unofficial current transcript plus the most recent official transcript from their prior institution. High school and returning students must also provide proof of acceptance to their chosen college or university.
Key takeaways:
- 750–1,000 word essay on caregiving experience (AI-generated content prohibited).
- Completed application form, résumé, and transcripts required.
- Special transcript instructions apply for first-year and transfer students.
- High school and returning students must include proof of college acceptance.
Application Timeline
**How to apply and timing**
Applications are being accepted now through the stated deadline on the application page; applicants must ensure they will be enrolled for the semester immediately following that deadline. Because no specific calendar date is provided here, applicants should consult the scholarship application page for the current deadline and submission instructions. Early submission is recommended to avoid last-minute issues.
Key takeaways:
- Applications accepted now until the published deadline.
- Applicants must be enrolled for the semester immediately after the deadline.
- Check the scholarship page for exact deadline and submission details.
- Submit early to reduce risk of technical or documentation delays.
History of the Award
**Origin and mission**
The scholarship was established by Romano & Sumner, PLLC, a firm experienced in guardianship consulting and trust and estate matters, after witnessing the demands placed on caregivers of older adults and those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The firm created this scholarship to acknowledge the emotional and practical sacrifices caregivers make while pursuing education and other responsibilities. The award reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting caregiving families and encouraging educational advancement for those who have provided significant care.
Key takeaways:
- Founded by Romano & Sumner, PLLC, based on their guardianship and estate work.
- Intended as recognition of caregivers’ sacrifices.
- Aligns the firm’s practice experience with a mission to support education.