Joyce VanTassel-Baska Endowed Scholarship
The Joyce VanTassel-Baska Endowed Scholarship provides a merit and financial need-based award to honor Dr. VanTassel-Baska's contributions to the field of gifted education, and to support pre-college gifted learners in accessing appropriate academic enrichment and acceleration opportunities.
For the 2026 Summer term, the Joyce VanTassel-Baska Endowed Scholarship will award a scholarship of up to $2,680 to one student participating in the Summer Scholars pre-college program.
To apply for the scholarship, students must meet the basic eligibility requirements below:
- Admitted to the Summer Scholars program for the 2026 term
- Enrolled in at least one Session I course (begins 5/26/2026)
- At least 16 years of age
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum of 3.5 cumulative GPA (unweighted)
- Current recipient / eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch
- Based on annual household income (see below)
Required Documentation for Applicants
The below documentation will be required for scholarship consideration:
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An official transcript that lists cumulative, unweighted GPA
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To demonstrate financial need, applicants must qualify for or receive Reduced or Free Lunch or have an annual household income below $37,650*
Financial record submissions include:
- Reduced Lunch Form (preferred documentation)
- W-2 Form
- Federal income tax form
*Decisions for the annual household income thresholds are based upon the federal income eligibility guidelines for 2025-26 school year for a family of 5 to ensure equity amongst applicants.
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Scholarship applicants will be required to address the following question:
How will the Summer Scholars program help develop your academic interests and future goals?
This personal statement can be a maximum of 1 page.
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The below documentation is optional, but may be considered when determining award recipients:
Achievement Test Scores:
SAT / ACT / PSAT / NMSQT
AP Scores or Placement Tests
NJSLA / NJGPA / DLM
Personal Resume
Letter(s) of recommendation
2026 Application and Award Process
To apply for the Joyce VanTassel-Baska Endowed Scholarship, students can apply directly in the portal for the Summer Scholars application. To be considered for the scholarships, students must apply for at least one Session I course in their application. The final day to apply for the scholarship is Friday, April 24*.
Scholarship finalists will be notified of their status via email by Thursday, April 30 and invited to participate in an interview. Upon final award determination, all scholarship applicants will be notified via email no later than May 8, 2026.
*Note: This is the scholarship deadline; students may continue to apply for the Summer Scholars program after this date.
Scholarship Dates and Deadlines
Scholarship Application Opens: Tuesday, February 2, 2026
Scholarship Application Closes: Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
Finalist Notifications and Interviews: April 27 - May 7, 2026
Final Decision and Award: May 8, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, students may pay their term bill at any time during the application process to gain access to Rutgers systems and course information.
If the scholarship recipient has already paid their term bill, they will be reimbursed up to the final award of $2,680.
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Yes, students may request to drop their course(s) by emailing summerscholars@echo.rutgers.edu if they wish to cancel their enrollment.
Please note: students enrolled in Session I courses must notify our office by Wednesday, May 20 to successfully drop their course.
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Please email summerscholars@echo.rutgers.edu ASAP if you no longer wish to attend the Summer Scholars program. Your scholarship application will be canceled automatically.