Applicants must:

• Be related to someone at an ASTA member company.
• Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Be a high school senior or a full-time college or university student.
• Use the scholarship at a two- or four-year college, university, or trade school.
• Be a full-time student when the scholarship is awarded.

1. Download the application packet (PDF). You can type directly into the form or print it and write legibly.
2. Complete the application and gather everything on the submission checklist below.
3. Submit your application by email or mail. It must be received by Monday, March 1, 2027.

Email: Send a PDF of your application and supporting documents to Aiysha Joseph at [email protected].

Mail:
American Spice Trade Association
Attn: SLA Scholarship Program
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 190-404
Washington, DC 20004

Applications must be complete and include all supporting documents. Your packet must include:

• Completed application (page 1 of the packet)
• One letter of recommendation
• List of extracurricular activities
• Official high school and college or university transcripts from all schools attended
• An essay on one of the topics below

Essay topics (choose one)

• Describe a significant experience and how it has impacted you. How do you see it impacting your future?
• Identify a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence and its impact on your life.

Questions on the application form

About you

• Full name, address, phone number, and email
• Overall grade point average (GPA)
• Name of the ASTA member company, the name of your relative there, and your relationship to them
• Your reason for seeking financial aid
• Whether receiving this scholarship would jeopardize other scholarships you receive

Education

• Your high school, its address, dates attended, whether you graduated, and graduation date
• The college, university, or trade school you plan to attend, and its address
• Your degree and anticipated college graduation date

Reference

• One reference's full name, relationship to you, position, phone number, and address (attach their letter of recommendation)

Download the application packet to fill out the official form.

Susan L. Abbott earned a B.A. in chemistry from St. Joseph's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She went on to earn a master's in engineering administration from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in policy sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Ms. Abbott was an active member of ASTA and served as its president from 1998 to 2000. She chaired the Government Relations Committee and served on the Ethylene Oxide Project Committee and the Pesticide Project Committee. She also helped create the International Organization of Spice Associations (IOSTA). Through IOSTA, she worked with Codex Alimentarius to establish pesticide MRLs on spices using monitoring data.