Welcome to the 2023 CITGO Distinguished Scholars Program
CITGO Petroleum Corporation announces the 2023 Distinguished Scholars Program to assist students who plan to continue their education in a two or four-year university. Up to forty (40) scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to select graduates of the class of 2024 from the following Independent School Districts (ISD):
Agua Dulce ISD Alice ISD Aransas County ISD Aransas Pass ISD Austwell-Tivoli ISD Banquete ISD Beeville ISD Ben Bolt ISD
Bishop ISD Calallen ISD Corpus Christi ISD Flour Bluff ISD Gregory-Portland ISD Ingleside ISD Kingsville ISD London ISD Mathis ISD
Odem-Edroy ISD Orange Grove ISD Pettus ISD Port Aransas ISD Premont ISD Refugio ISD Riviera ISD Robstown ISD
Santa Gertrudis ISD Sinton ISD Skidmore-Tynan ISD Taft ISD Tuloso-Midway ISD West Oso ISD Woodsboro ISD
Eligibility Information and Requirements
Students:
- MUST BE RECOMMENDED BY THE SCHOOL PRIOR TO APPLYING.
- Must be classified as a junior at a high school located in the above listed ISD’s in the 2022-2023 school year.
- Should plan to enroll in a 2 or 4-year accredited university.
- Should have a high school grade point average of 2.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Provide an official transcript with GPA & Rank; as well as a copy of PSAT/SAT or ACT scores if available (exam scores can be sent as a printout from a student’s CollegeBoard or ACT account.)
- Must sign a photo release and be willing to participate in filming a student profile that may be shown publicly.
- May not be dependent children of employees or retired employees of CITGO Petroleum Corporation or its subsidiaries.
- Submit application and all supporting information by March 6, 2023.
Categories: Scholarships will be awarded in the following categories: Beating the Odds, Career and Technical Education, Communications, Performing and Fine Arts, STEM, Service and/or Leadership, Spirit, and Student Athletics. Students will select one category to be considered for.
Beating the Odds This category is for a student who has achieved his or her personal best while overcoming obstacles and challenges. The student has shown grit and perseverance in reaching a personal, career, or academic goal.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) This category is for a student who has a clear education and career pathway in place and successfully completed CTE courses. Students in this category may have already earned certifications in his/her field.
Communications This category is for a student who excels in any area of the communications field, including journalism, speech and debate, social media, multi-media, yearbook, photography, and photojournalism.
Performing and Fine Arts This category is for a student who shines in any of the visual or performing arts such as band, color guard, choir, theater, orchestra, dance, drawing, painting, mixed media, Comedy Sportz, 3D animation, and graphic design.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) This category is for a student who is a high achiever in STEM classes and/or clubs and teams such as robotics and engineering design challenges.
Service and/or Leadership This category is for a student who is a leader at school and an example to others with their participation in service in the community and on campus. Students set positive examples for others and have the personal fortitude and integrity to do what is right even when in the minority.
Spirit This category is for a student who is a positive influence on others and keeps school spirit alive and well, in and out of school. Students in this category build a cohesive community and a culture of belonging.
Student-Athlete This category is for a student who is an example to others with their equal dedication to work in the classroom and their dedication and work in athletics. Students in this category are leaders in good sportsmanship and bring their teammates together on and off the field.
Deadlines and Awards
CITGO will award up to forty (40) scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Scholarship monies will be managed through the CBCF. Scholarship funds will only be paid if the scholarship recipient is enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university for the 2024 Fall semester.
February 6 – March 6 Application open
March 6 – March 26 Applicant review
May 2023 Recipients notified
Summer 2024 Scholarship Payments
Application
Recommended students must complete the application along with a current, complete transcript (official) of grades with GPA and Rank and a copy of PSAT/SAT/ACT scores if applicable (exam scores can be sent as a print out from a student’s CollegeBoard or ACT account). Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of their application. If an acknowledgment is not received, applicants may contact Garner Burford at gburford@cbcfoundation.org. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. All applicants will need to fill out, sign, and upload into their application the CITGO Photo Release form. Please fill out the appropriate one:
Photo Release Form MINOR Photo Release Form ADULT
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on the criteria in each category by an independent panel of community members. Decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, and the selection panel will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or other protected class. Decisions of the panel are final.
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If you are experiencing trouble accessing the application below, please click below to access:
2023 CITGO Distinguished Scholars Scholarship Application
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