USA Scholarships
IAPD Scholarship 2027 - Up to $3,500
The IAPD Scholarship from the IAPD Charitable Foundation helps students connected to performance plastics distribution and professional sales education. Employees of IAPD member firms, their dependent children, and students majoring or concentrating in professional sales may apply, and college-bound high school seniors are welcome. You need a 3.5 cumulative GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale, a one-page essay, unofficial transcripts, and a signed parent-student addendum. Awards were up to $3,500 in recent cycles and IAPD pays the school directly. The 2026 application is closed; watch iapd.org in fall 2026 for the 2027 deadline, which followed an April 6 pattern in 2026.
What is the IAPD Scholarship?
IAPD member companies move performance plastics through distribution channels nationwide, and the Charitable Foundation turns industry gifts into tuition help for people tied to that world. You do not have to guess whether you belong. Either you work for a member firm, your parent does, or you are building a professional sales credential at college.
The application is straightforward on paper: online form, tight essay, transcripts, and a signed addendum. The committee ranks files on grades, activities, presentation, and need, then mails up to $3,500 straight to your school. You cannot win two years back to back, so plan your reapplication timing if you are a sophomore who might qualify again later.
Because the 2026 cycle already closed, this guide targets the next intake. Watch iapd.org in fall 2026 for the real open and close dates. April has been the recent cutoff, and June notification gives you time to align summer enrollment paperwork with the foundation check.
Eligibility
-
✓IAPD member employment connectionQualify if you are employed by an IAPD member company or are the child of an employee at a member firm in the performance plastics supply chain.
-
✓Professional sales programAlternatively, enroll in a professional sales program as a major, minor, or concentration at an accredited college or university.
-
✓High school seniors allowedCollege-bound high school seniors may apply alongside current undergraduates and graduate students who meet the GPA and essay rules.
-
✓3.5 unweighted GPA minimumMaintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 unweighted scale. Rankings weigh academic achievement, activities, essay quality, and financial need.
-
✓No back-to-back winsPrior IAPD scholarship recipients may not win two years in a row. Wait one cycle before reapplying if you already received the award.
-
✓English materials onlySubmit the essay, transcripts, addendum, and any optional letters in English or IAPD will reject the packet as incomplete.
Benefits
- Maximum amount Up to $3,500 in recent cycles
- Disbursement Check mailed to your first-choice school
- Selection factors Grades, activities, essay, and need
- Recipient count Multiple awards when funding allows
- Living expenses Not paid to the student directly
- Guaranteed annual pool Depends on foundation gifts
Document checklist
-
✓Online IAPD scholarship applicationComplete the web form on iapd.org when the foundation opens the next cycle. Incomplete or late forms are not reviewed.
-
✓500-word one-page essayWrite a single-page essay within the 500-word limit IAPD publishes each year. Focus on your sales or plastics career goals.
-
✓Unofficial transcriptsUpload current unofficial transcripts. College freshmen should include both high school and college records.
-
✓Signed signature addendumPrint and sign the addendum page with a parent or guardian signature if you are a dependent student, then upload or email it per IAPD instructions.
-
✓Optional recommendation lettersLetters are not always mandatory on the checklist, but strong references can support your ranking when you upload them to Jean McClure at IAPD.
-
✓Employer or member verificationBe ready to confirm your IAPD member company tie if the committee asks during review.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
Who can apply for the IAPD Scholarship?
Employees of IAPD member companies, their children, students in professional sales programs, and eligible high school seniors may apply if they meet the 3.5 GPA rule.
How much is the IAPD Scholarship worth?
Recent IAPD materials quote awards up to $3,500. The foundation sets the final amount based on donations each year.
What GPA is required for the IAPD Scholarship?
You need a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale. IAPD ranks applicants on grades plus activities and presentation.
When is the IAPD Scholarship deadline?
The 2026 cycle closed April 6, 2026. IAPD asks students to check back in fall 2026 for the next deadline, which should land in spring 2027.
Does IAPD pay the student or the school?
All scholarships are paid directly to the school you list as your first choice, not to your personal bank account.
Can I win the IAPD Scholarship two years in a row?
No. IAPD rules block back-to-back wins. You may apply again after skipping one award year.
What essay does IAPD require?
Submit a 500-word essay on one page through the application or email supporting materials to the foundation contact IAPD lists each cycle.
Do I need to work in plastics to apply?
You can qualify through IAPD member employment, a parent at a member firm, or enrollment in a professional sales major, minor, or concentration.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website