Navigating Mayflower Society Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide
For students who can trace their lineage back to the passengers of the Mayflower, a variety of scholarship opportunities exist to help finance their higher education. These scholarships, offered by organizations like the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) and various state societies, recognize and reward academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and a connection to Pilgrim heritage. This guide provides a detailed overview of several Mayflower Society scholarships, outlining their eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes.
General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) Scholarships
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) Scholarship Program offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are Mayflower descendants and plan to attend a four-year college or university or a two-year community college. In 2024, the GSMD added a Native American Scholarship for graduating high school seniors with proven descent to a Native American ancestor.
Scholarship Awards
The GSMD Scholarship Program awards three High School Senior student scholarships in the amounts of \$6000, \$5000, and \$4000. In addition, a \$2,400 Mary Chilton Winslow Scholarship is also awarded.
Ancestry Requirements
To be eligible for a Mayflower Scholarship, applicants must provide the name of their Mayflower ancestor(s) and a valid GSMD membership number for themselves or a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
Application Process
The 2026 Application Process is now open. Applicants should carefully review the requirements. A reference letter may also be included, but is not required. If the reference fails to fill out the provided form by the March 2nd deadline, the candidate will be disqualified. Students are responsible for making sure references return their forms on time. Failure to send appropriate forms will eliminate your application from consideration. Last-minute applications and reference information can result in incomplete or poorly written essays and/or missing references which could result in the applicant being ineligible for scholarship consideration.
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All communications with the GSMD scholarship team should be made by the applicant.
Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants (MSMD) Scholarships
The Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants (MSMD) offers four scholarships annually to support further education after completing high school (secondary school). These awards are designed to help students pursue their academic and career goals.
MSMD College Scholarship
The MSMD College Scholarship is renewable each year, without any need to re-apply, as long as the recipient provides proof of a satisfactory completion of the current academic year and proof of continued enrollment for the following academic year. The scholarship can be used at any accredited, non-profit college or university in the United States. A new recipient is chosen every year.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be an active member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, including Junior, Life or Annual.
- Proof of college acceptance and enrollment at any accredited, non-profit college or university in the United States.
- High School academic achievement indicated by class rank, grade point average, extra-curricular activities, and awards.
- An original essay 500 - 1000 words, titled “My Appreciation of my Pilgrim Heritage.” The essay must speak directly to your personal ancestor…the one that was used to give you acceptance into the Mayflower Society.
- Special circumstances of need.
- Submit completed application to MSMD by 5:00PM on May 31.
This award will be granted after the completion of your first semester, with accompanying documentation of successful completion of first semester and enrollment for the second semester. Your request must be submitted to the MSMD office by January 10. For the following three years, your request and accompanying documentation must be received by the MSMD office by August 15. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in forfeiture of your award.
Criteria for award:
- High school academic achievement as indicated by class standing, grade point average, and awards.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Original essay.
- Special circumstances of need.
MSMD uses Google Forms to collect your application data and files. If you do not have a Google account, you can easily create one.
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Francis P. Sears Mayflower Descendant Scholarship
The Sears Scholarships are granted from funds left by Francis Sears with the Boston Foundation for students who are descended from a Mayflower passenger and are attending any accredited, non-profit college or university in one of the six New England states. The money available varies from year to year and is dependent on interest rates. You can reapply each year by completing the application form annually.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be an active member of MSMD or prove that you are the child, grandchild, niece/nephew, grandniece/nephew, great grandchild, or great grandniece/nephew of an active member.
- Provide proof of college acceptance and enrollment for the coming year at any accredited, non-profit college or university in one of the six New England states.
- Offer special circumstances of need.
- Submit an original essay 500 - 1000 words, titled “My Appreciation of my Pilgrim Heritage”.
- Submit completed application to MSMD by 5:00 PM on March 31.
Criteria for award:
- High school academic achievement as indicated by class standing, grade point average, and awards.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Original essay.
- Special circumstances of need.
Thanksgiving Day Awards
A yearly scholarship given by MSMD in recognition of the Wampanoag Nation’s assistance to our Pilgrim ancestors. This scholarship is open to active members of the Wampanoag Tribe attending any accredited, non-profit college or university in the United States. This \$1500 scholarship is awarded to two individuals.
Illinois Mayflower Society Scholarship
In 2010, the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois created an annual scholarship of \$2,500 to be awarded to a student entering college or currently attending college or graduate school. This is one of the largest scholarships awarded by any state Mayflower Society.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- The Scholarship awarded is \$2500.
- One Scholarship will be awarded each year.
- The Applicant must be enrolled or accepted in an accredited college or university.
- The Scholarship is to be used for Freshman year, any undergraduate year, or graduate education.
- Applicants must be nominated by a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois.
- Preference will be given in awarding scholarships to those applicants who are proven descendants of a Mayflower passenger.
- The basis of the award is academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, community service and financial need.
- A letter of recommendation will be required from a school official, teacher, academic advisor or counselor, which may be a separate letter or included as part of the application.
- A short essay should be submitted summarizing the applicant's academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, community service, financial need, areas of interest and personal goals. This may be a separate essay or may be included as part of the application.
- The supportive documentation required will be a school transcript, GPA, ACT or SAT scores and the applicant's class ranking.
Michigan Mayflower Society Scholarship
In an effort to preserve the history of our Mayflower Ancestors through genealogy, historical research, and education, the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan has created a scholarship program.
Scholarship Awards
There will be a maximum of three awards per academic year: one \$3,000 scholarship, one \$2,000 scholarship, and one \$1,000 scholarship -- all scholarships are payable directly to the institution of higher education. However, the Committee reserves the right to not award any scholarships if it is determined that there are no qualified entries.
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Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be either a General Member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan or a Junior Member of said Society. There are no restrictions regarding the state of residence of the applicant. Scholarship applicants must have confirmed plans to attend a university, college or trade school (provide a copy of letter of acceptance).
Essay Component: "My Appreciation of my Pilgrim Heritage"
Several Mayflower Society scholarships, including those offered by the MSMD, require applicants to submit an original essay, typically between 500 and 1000 words, titled "My Appreciation of my Pilgrim Heritage." This essay provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their connection to the Mayflower story and its significance in their lives.
Essay Content Suggestions:
- What were some of your ancestor's known contributions to the early colony, or how do you imagine he/she may have contributed to the success of the colony?
- Was your ancestor a Saint or a Stranger?
- Discuss the initial contact and subsequent interactions between the Pilgrims and the local Pokanoket Wampanoag community. Was their relationship respectful, and how did they help each other?
Research Suggestions:
- Interview a relative who is also a Mayflower descendant.
- Read a Mayflower history such as Nathaniel Philbrick’s ‘Mayflower…Voyage, Community, War,’ ‘Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims in Plymouth’ by Edward Winslow, or William Bradford’s ‘Of Plymouth Plantation’.
Format:
The essay must have a cover page with the title of the essay, the date, and the name of the applicant on it. It is important that this essay is to be in your own words. Do not incorporate text from secondary sources in your essay unless you properly cite them with footnotes and a bibliography. The Applicant must write at least one paragraph explaining how being awarded one of these scholarships will help him/her attain their career goals. Two letters from educators must be submitted along with the essay, stating they have read the essay and have given their critique of its contents.
Judging Criteria
Judging criteria for scholarship applications typically include:
- High school academic achievement as indicated by class standing, grade point average, and awards.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Community service.
- Original essay.
- Special circumstances of need.
- Financial need.
For the Michigan Mayflower Society Scholarship, judging equals 100 points with a minimum score of 60 points to qualify.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
While Mayflower descent can open doors to specific scholarships, students should also explore other avenues for financial aid, including:
- "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
- ScholarshipOwl: A platform providing access to various scholarships.
- Scholarships360 \$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students seeking financial assistance for their education.
- Niche: A college search platform that also offers scholarship opportunities.
- Christian Connector: Scholarship drawings for students attending Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
- StudentScholarships.org: Provides scholarships to students between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school.
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