The PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE), is pleased to offer a limited number of family scholarships to PA residents to attend the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners Conference, in-person or virtually. 

The event will take place July 28-31, 2025, at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. Details about the Conference and Youth Experiences

We welcome submissions from parents/guardians who:

• Have a child, age birth - 21, who currently:
• receives supports and services through a Pennsylvania Early Intervention/Special Education Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP),  
• is in the evaluation/assessment process for eligibility to receive supports and services from a Pennsylvania public or approved private school (APS), as designated by the Commonwealth, or 

• receives supports and services through a Pennsylvania Infant Toddler or Preschool Early Intervention Program

• Are not employed in a professional capacity in a school, district, charter school, or Intermediate Unit (IU), (paraprofessionals are eligible if other criteria are met); Parent Training & Information Center, Community Parent Resource Center; or other federally funded educational or advocacy organization. Professionals should seek funding through their employer/organization.

Scholarships will not be awarded if your child is 22 years or older, or if they turn 22 before July 28, 2025.

A Family Scholarship Includes:

• Conference Registration (in-person or virtual) for:
• Up to two (2) parents/guardians of a child, birth - 21, receiving or being evaluated to receive supports and services, as listed above. Each parent/guardian must register for, and attend, conference sessions
• Up to three (3) children
• Ages 4 - 21, with or without a disability, who register for at least one of the Youth Experiences
• May include up to two (2) siblings, who register for eligible Youth Experience(s)

Note: In order for parents/guardians to attend conference sessions, child caregiver reimbursement is available through Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) to families with children five (5) years or younger, with or without a disability. Learn more about child caregiver reimbursement. Contact Molly Martz at mmartz@pattan.net or Lisa Gragg at lgragg@pattan.net with questions. 

• Lodging of one guest room (for up to five people) at a conference-designated hotel. Qualified applicants must live 50+ miles, one way, from The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center
• Meals and Snacks provided to registered* conference attendees
• Three Daytime Options for Children & Youth (in person only)
  Descriptions and Registration of Youth Experiences

1. Camp InsPirAtion Day Camp (formerly The Children’s Institute) (ages 4 - 21)
2. Code Arcade Computer Science Camp (high school students)
3. Youth Summit Conference Sessions (ages 14 - 21.) May be combined with Camp InsPirAtion

• Fun Activities for all ages

Scholarship recipients are responsible for all travel expenses, including transportation, fuel, tolls, mileage, and meals not provided to conference attendees.

*Registered attendees are adults who submit a completed conference registration form, including selection of sessions they will attend, and children who are enrolled in one of the three Youth Experience options above.

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is offering a limited number of in-person and virtual scholarships. Eligible youth (14-21) must have an open OVR case and an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) at the time of the application opening, April 25, 2025. Students that meet the OVR criteria, documented in the Family Scholarship application, and have not received an OVR scholarship in the past will be given first consideration. Whether in person or virtual, transition-aged youth must be accompanied by a parent/guardian attending the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference.

Please complete the application below for either scholarship opportunity.

Family scholarship applications will be accepted through the end of day, June 15, 2025, or until all scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received. Don’t delay, apply today!

For questions, please contact Linda Cartwright or Jacqui DiDomenico at bk2khscholarships@pattankop.net or call 1-800-441-3215

 

Family Scholarship applications will be accepted through the end of day, June 15, 2025 or until all scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received.

 

Please hit the submit button below to submit your application