OACAA Young Professional Conference Scholarship

Each conference event website includes scholarship information specific to that conference. Below, you’ll find the general scholarship overview, eligibility requirements, and application details. If you know someone who would benefit from this opportunity, please consider applying or sharing it with a colleague!


The purpose of the OACAA Young Professional Conference Scholarship is to promote the professional enrichment of Ohio Community Action Young Professionals via attendance at the Association’s statewide conference(s). To apply for a scholarship, applicants must be:

  • Employed by a member in good standing of Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies
  • Be 35 years of age or younger
  • Have been employed for a minimum of nine months

Each agency is allowed three applicants as determined by the agency’s Executive Director.

A maximum of five scholarships will be awarded. Awardees will receive complimentary registration and lodging (up to three nights). The cost of travel to/from the conference—including transportation and per diem—will not be covered by this scholarship and must be paid by the awardees’ Community Action Agency.

The Scholarship Application will include fields for contact information and age, and a space to provide a narrative demonstrating how the applicant will use this opportunity to enhance their knowledge of Community Action, build professional skills, and strengthen their professional role to help their Agency meet new and growing needs.

Applications will also require an Application Approval Form signed by the applicant’s Supervisor and the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s Community Action Agency, indicating knowledge and support of the entry. If the applicant’s supervisor is the Executive Director, the Executive Director will mark the related box on the form and complete the Application Approval Form.

The first Young Professional Conference Scholarship was awarded for attendance at the 2024 Winter Legislative Conference.