What is the CSW Industrials Mary Burns Scholarship Program?

Established in 2018 through the CSW Industrials Charitable Fund, the program helps eligible children and dependents of Eligible Employees of CSW Industrials, Inc., and its subsidiaries in the United States and Canada pay for college or vocational training. In 2025, the program was renamed the CSW Industrials Mary Burns Scholarship Program to honor its founder, Mary Burns.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

The program is designed for eligible children and dependents of eligible CSW Employees under the age of 24. To determine whether an employee or their child/dependent is considered eligible, click here.

How many scholarships will be awarded? 

Up to $70,000 may be designated for the program each academic year, and individual scholarships of up to $10,000 may be distributed. (Per IRS guidelines, the number of grants and specific amounts will not be known until after all applications are submitted.)

Aside from GPA, what factors are considered when reviewing applications?

Grade point average is one of several factors, and the minimum 2.5 GPA for high school seniors and 2.25 for returning college students reflects the scholarship program’s goal of reaching underserved students who face challenges pursuing their post-secondary education. These challenges include caring for family members and balancing school with a job to help with household finances, realities that often prevent students from devoting time to school life and/or participating in extracurricular activities such as clubs, team sports, internships, and volunteer opportunities.

Who evaluates applications and selects the grant recipients?

An independent Scholarship Committee composed of members with no connection to CSW Industrials or its subsidiaries.

Will students from households with little or no history of pursuing education or training beyond high school be considered for a scholarship?

Yes. First-generation high school graduates pursuing a college degree or vocational/training certification are strongly encouraged to apply. "First generation" refers to an eligible child or dependent of an Eligible Employee who is the first - or among the first generation - in their family to attend college or receive vocational training.

Is there a fee to apply?

No.

What expenses does the scholarship cover?

Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the school designated in the student's application. The money may be used for tuition, fees, books, equipment, and room and board. The grants will be divided equally by semester - e.g., if a $10,000 grant is awarded, $5,000 will be sent to the school for the Fall 2026 semester, and $5,000 will be sent for the Spring 2027 semester.

What are some tips for a successful application?

1. Directions and Deadlines. Follow all directions and prompts and meet the application deadline of March 13, 2026. If you need clarification about any aspect of your application or status, please email scholarships@cswindustrials.com.
2. Presentation and Proofing. Your resume and essay play a major role in your application. Whether your experience is extensive or limited, your resume/CV should be an organized and concise summary of your academic record, your work experience, and your community involvement. Likewise, your essay should provide insight into your character, motivation, and goals. The independent CSW Scholarship Committee greatly appreciates authenticity. (So remember to be yourself and not what you - or AI - believe an ideal candidate should sound like. Remember, too, to proofread your resume and essay to correct any errors and typos before you upload them. Also, if you have have applied before, don't recycle an essay - tell us what you've learned over the past academic year and how you will use those lessons going forward.)
3. Transcripts and Recommendations. Request your official transcript (your most recent, either high school, college, or training school) and a recommendation (or two) at least two weeks before the March 13th application deadline. Some schools may take a week or more to respond and process your transcript request, and some recommenders may not see the notification to provide a recommendation by March 13th. Your application requires both a transcript and at least one recommendation in order to be considered complete.