Empowerment Scholarship Application

This application is for the our Empowerment Scholarship, which comes with up to $2,500 for you to pursue an activity or community project you are interested in or passionate about. The scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, equipment, uniforms, supplies, or anything else that empowers you to pursue the activity. In addition, the scholarship may be used to fund a project to better the community, like an Eagle or Girl Scout project.

Our application deadlines are: January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15, and we aim to provide decisions by the end of January, April, July, and October, respectively.

Process

  1. Submit this application.

  2. We will be in touch to let you know whether we need more information and/or would like to schedule an interview. Typically, if you are seeking less than $250, an interview is not required.

  3. We may ask the person you name in the application to submit a recommendation for you to be awarded the scholarship. Please let that person know that we may contact them. The person may also email a letter of recommendation to applications@michaeldeangibbs.org.

  4. Prior to awarding the funds, we may ask for proof of cost.

If the applicant is under 18, the applicant's parent/guardian should submit this application on their behalf. In addition, if you need help completing this application, have any questions, or would like to submit any other materials in support of your application (e.g. a picture of you participating in the activity), please email applications@michaeldeangibbs.org.

Qualifications

Any child or student up to grade 12 (or who is pursuing a GED) who lives in or goes to school in or near Licking County may apply for an award or scholarship. Groups of kids, classrooms, teams, etc. may also apply. In evaluating each application, we consider:

  • The applicant’s interest in the activity

  • The applicant’s prior success or future potential in the activity

  • The family’s financial need (While financial need is one of several factors we consider in awarding scholarships, we recognize families of all stripes may struggle to pay for their kids' activities. As such, we have no hard-and-fast criteria for what counts as financial need.)

  • Whether providing the funds will advance our values

Pay It Forward & Mentorship Programs

The "Pay It Forward" Program asks scholarship recipients or their families to contribute their time or talent to the community, ideally in a way that is connected with activity. For example, the parent of a student who receives funding for a soccer camp might volunteer to help at the camp.

The Mentorship Program pairs recipients with someone who has experience with the activity, project, or organization in which the applicant is interested and who can help guide the applicant in their pursuit of the activity or project.

Both programs are voluntary.