Address questions regarding the scholarship program to:
VMA William Sandler Scholarship Program
209 Madison Street
STE. 303
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 202.331.7369
Fax: 202.296.0378
Contact: Caitlin Hughes
Two Outstanding Students awarded $2,750 in Engineering Scholarships
Autumn Rudisell
Autumn is attending the University of Cincinnati, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Her father works for Indelac Controls, Inc.
Nolan Thiel
Nolan is attending Penn State University, pursuing his degree in mechanical or electrical engineering. His father works for AUMA Actuators, Inc.
VMA William Sandler Scholarship Program
Application Deadline - March 31, 2026
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) William “Bill” Sandler Scholarship Program was established to provide educational opportunities to the children of VMA member company employees. The program intends to provide families
of VMA member company employee’s financial assistance to help offset the rising cost of postsecondary education and promote career pursuit in areas of importance for the valve manufacturing industry.
The William Sandler Scholarship was established to honor the dedication, contributions and achievements of Bill Sandler to the VMA, its employees, member companies and their customers.
Bill was with the VMA for 42 years, the longest serving employee in VMA history. Having started his VMA career as a data analyst, gathering and sharing economic data, Bill rose to become VMA’s president, leading and guiding the association
through the ever-changing industry.
Bill’s unwavering commitment to his family, fellow employees and all association members is unparalleled. His knowledge, passion and persistence set the stage for his vision for the VMA to become a reality. VMA endows scholarships in Mr. Sandler’s
name for college and trade school students in the field of Engineering and Manufacturing.
To Download a flyer to share with others at your company or your student(s),
click here.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the VMA 'William Sandler' Scholarship Program must be:
- Dependent* children, age 24 and under as of the application deadline date, for full-time employees of VMA member companies.
- High school seniors or students in their final year of secondary school or graduates who can demonstrate enrollment or acceptance to full-time** undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-
technical school in the field of Engineering or Manufacturing.
- Have maintained or achieved minimum 3.0 grade point average.
* Dependent children are defined as natural and legally adopted children or stepchildren living in the VMA Member Company employee’s household or primarily supported by the employee.
** Full-time study defined as full-time enrollment
for the entire upcoming academic year.
AWARDS
William Sandler Engineering Award
Scholarships of $2,000 are granted to candidates entering a college or university in an engineering discipline, consistent with the needs of the Valve Manufacturing industry. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding educational and personal
achievement and provide an essay on their interest and reasons for pursuing a career in engineering.
William Sandler Vocational Award
Scholarships of $1,000 are granted to candidates entering a technical or vocational school in manufacturing or other discipline such as welding, which would support a career in the Valve Manufacturing industry. Candidates must demonstrate
outstanding personal achievement and provide an essay on their interest and reasons for pursuing their chosen career path.
Awards are non-renewable (one-time), but recipients may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are for undergraduate study only.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
APPLICATION
Interested students must complete the application in English and mail it along with a current, complete transcript of grades and other required documents to VMA Headquarters postmarked no later than March 31, 2026. Transcripts must
display student name, school name, grade and credit hours earned for each course, and term in which each course was taken. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their application. If acknowledgment is not received within six weeks,
applicants may call VMA to verify that the application has been received.
Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all required information. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. All information
received is considered confidential and is reviewed only by VMA William Sandler Scholarship Review Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Review Committee.
2026 Application Deadline is March 31, 2026! Questions? Contact Caitlin Hughes at chughes@vma.org or 202.331.7369.
SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP OVERSIGHT
William Sandler Award recipients are selected on the basis of their outstanding personal achievement, demonstrated leadership and participation in community activities, honors, work experience, and essay related to goals and aspirations and an outside
appraisal. If there are no qualified applicants for the Engineering and/or Technical Awards, the scholarship awards will not be awarded.
Applicants will be notified by early September. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year after they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are limited to one recipient per year.
PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
VMA William Sandler Scholarship processes scholarship payments by October of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded. Checks are mailed to each recipient's home address and are made payable to the student.
It is the expectation of the VMA that the student will use the scholarship award to offset costs from their tuition, room and board, dining, course material, and other costs directly related to their education as the student noted in the application.
OBLIGATIONS
Recipients have no obligation to the VMA or its member companies. They are, however, required to supply VMA with proof of enrollment and complete transcripts when requested and to notify VMA of any changes of address, school enrollment, or other relevant
information.
REVISIONS
VMA reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time including termination of the program.
