As college-bound seniors at The Morgan School begin narrowing down their choices for what school to attend next year, the Clinton PTA is preparing to help with some of the financial stress.

The PTA will for the first time award a $500 scholarship at the beginning of the recipient’s first year of study. The award will be given based on the student’s academic merit, an essay, community service, extracurricular activities, and financial need. For the essay, applicants will choose to answer one of three choices that ask either how the student defines success, what kind of roles they play in an organization, or how the student would repay the support that different organizations or institutions provided to them.

To be eligible, the student must be a student member of the Clinton PTA, a Clinton resident, a graduating senior of The Morgan School, and planning to attend a two- or four-year higher education program, including trade or technical schools. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 15 and mailed to mailed to Clinton PTA, P.O. Box 736, Clinton CT 06413.

PTA member Andrea Reu said the organization currently has about 20 student members, but will allow more. Reu said while the organization is hopeful that student members are active with the organization, she added that any interested student could join just to be eligible for the scholarship. Student membership forms are available on the PTA website.

Reu said the PTA hopes this new scholarship will become an annual event for the organization.

For a scholarship application form, a student membership form, or more information about the PTA, visit www.clintonpta.org.