If you have a high school senior at home who’s headed to college, vocational school, a military academy, or community college next fall, give me 5 minutes to tell you about the CFTRA annual scholarship.

glass with coins in it a label that says college fund

The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Annual Scholarship Award. The $1,500 award is open to graduating seniors who live right here in Chadds Ford Township. Before you assume “my kid probably doesn’t qualify,” the requirements are pretty straightforward:

12th grader
accepted into a post-secondary program
3.0 GPA or higher,
Chadds Ford Township address.

That’s it. Financial need is not a factor, and the money can be used however the recipient sees fit.

For those of you who’ve been here a while, you know CFTRA. If you’re not yet familiar with this great little organization, it’s the volunteer, non-partisan civic organization that’s quietly doing the community-building work that keeps this area feeling like… Chadds Ford.

Through events for neighbors to meet up, annual awards, and more, CFTRA supports local history, the rural character, and the sense of place that brought most of us here in the first place. The scholarship is part of that same mission: investing in the people who actually live here.

Eligible zip codes include parts of 19317 (Chadds Ford), 19382 (West Chester), and 19342 (Glen Mills) — so if you’re in one of those and consider yourself a township resident, you’re likely good.

The application deadline is March 31, 2026. Students submit applications themselves, a good first exercise in adulting. 😉 You can find the application on their website.

Pass this along to any seniors you know in the township. $1,500 is real money, the application window is short, and this one is genuinely for our neighbors.

Are you a CFTRA member?

If not, what are you waiting for?! 😉

🫶🏻 The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association is a volunteer, non-profit, civic organization that strives to create a strong sense of community within our township, support residents and businesses, and help retain the area’s unique historical quality and rural character.

💰 CFTRA is a non-political, non-partisan organization funded through donations and memberships from residents and businesses in the community. Funds cover the costs of CFTRA’s many successful community events each year that help them achieve their mission and build a stronger community in our town! It’s a small investment that yields big dividends of connection and resilience in Chadds Ford.

✨ Residents can sign up as individual members, or businesses can sign up through the business membership program (which includes some great promotional benefits). Check out their site to learn more and join today!