Scholarships

One of the key objectives of the PTA is to support the education, training, and career development of a new generation of mariners and transportation professionals.

In addition to our ongoing partnership with the California Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) in Vallejo, California, which funds the Pacific Transportation Association Annual Scholarship, we’re launched a new scholarship program in 2024.

Details on both scholarship programs are outlined below.

PTA Member Scholarship Program: For PTA Members and their Dependents

The PTA is launched an additional scholarship award program for PTA members and their children, grandchildren, and dependents in the summer of 2024.  The PTA will award between $1,000 and $2,000 according to the below eligibility and criteria:

Eligibility

       Pacific Transportation Association Members in good standing who are currently attending an accredited four-year college or university on a full-time or part-time basis. You must be studying in the fields of transportation, supply chain, logistics, or maritime.  2025 PTA Member Application Form

Children, grandchildren, and dependents of PTA members in good standing who are graduating high school and entering as full-time students at a four-year accredited university. The student need not be studying in a transportation or logistics field. 
Children, Grandchildren, and Dependent Application Form

Criteria
Scholarships will be awarded on scholastic merit, ability, and character, without regard to race, sex, color, creed, or intended or actual field of study. Awards are to be used by students, who through their efforts, achievements, community service, and character, have demonstrated their ability to benefit themselves and others through continuing education.

Important Dates

Applications can be submitted starting May 31, 2025
Applications must be submitted on-line by August 31, 2025
Application review will be conducted September 1, 2025 through September 15, 2025
Awardees will be notified the week of September 15, 2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Awardees:

Kennedy Williams, University of Oregon
Sebastian Zepeda, Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Benjamin Mendler, Cal Poly Maritime Academy

2024 Scholarship Awardees
Jay-Colin Scott Hall - Maritime Science and earning his Officer on Watch certification at the University of Gibraltar
Adel Zebila -  International Strategy and Security at the California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) in Vallejo, CA

Cal Maritime - Pacific Transportation Association Annual Scholarship

The California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) is only one of seven maritime academies in the nation, and the only one on the West Coast.

Each year, we award outstanding cadets with a $1,250 to $2,500 scholarship, funded entirely by the PTA.

Congratulations to our 2025 Recipients:

2025 - Heidi Johannessen, Marine Transportation and Gia Espejo, International Business Logistics

Previous recipients include:

2024 - Zac Chartouni, Global Studies; Kyle Lao, Business Administration, and Mitch Mathai, Maritime Transportation
2023 - Cadet Anika Carey, Global Studies and Maritime Affairs; and Cadet Matthew Ferguson, Business Administration
2021 - Cadet Thanaphorn Supakit, Business Administration
2019 - Cadet John Miller, Marine Transportation; and Cadet Wyatt Juntunen, Global Studies and Maritime Affairs
2018 - Cadet Patrick Counts, Business; and Cadet Bryce Hongell, Marine Transportation
2017 - Cadet Matthew Allred and Cadet Christina Stach
2016 - Cadet Khang Nguyen and Cadet Chris Chesney
2015 - Cadet Peter Tong
2014 - Cadet Ramona Perez