The Toby Merrill Scholarship: Empowering Students Through Education and Character
The Toby Merrill Scholarship stands as a testament to a life well-lived and a commitment to empowering deserving students. Created in memory of Toby Merrill, who passed away from Gastric Cancer on August 12, 2016, after a courageous 21-month battle, the scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to students seeking to attend college. Toby Merrill, a 1997 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College where he was a student athlete on the football team, envisioned this scholarship as a lasting legacy, enabling children to reach their full potential and experience the joys of life.
Toby Merrill's Legacy: Values and Vision
Toby Merrill's experiences at Franklin & Marshall College played a significant role in building his personal foundation and creating lifelong friendships. His wife, Susan, is an alumnus of F&M and now an educator at Germantown Academy, where their two daughters attend school. The Toby Merrill Scholarship seeks to honor the values that defined Toby's life. Scholarship recipients will be those who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership, and who exhibit high character traits such as kindness and strength during times of adversity. Special consideration will be given to candidates experiencing personal or family issues related to cancer or bereavement.
Scholarship Details: Award and Renewal
The Toby Merrill Scholarship provides \$9700 per year, renewable for four years, provided the student remains in good academic and citizen standing at their college. It's important to note that accepting a Toby Merrill Scholarship may affect a student's existing financial aid package. Applicants are advised to contact their financial aid department for detailed information.
Eligibility Criteria: A Holistic Approach
The selection criteria for the Toby Merrill Scholarship are comprehensive, considering various aspects of a student's life:
- Academic Performance: A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in high school is required.
- Letter of Recommendation: The applicant must submit a letter of recommendation that speaks to their character and leadership qualities within their school or community. The letter can be from a counselor, teacher, coach, mentor, or boss.
- Leadership & Community Involvement: Elected positions of leadership or awards received for community involvement will be considered.
- Financial Need: Financial need based on household income or deceased/ill parents/guardians is taken into account.
- Personal Interview: A personal interview may be part of the selection process.
- Cancer Experience: Must be a cancer patient/cancer survivor.
For incoming freshmen, enrollment in college is not required at the time of application, but the names of the schools applied to must be included. Enrollment is mandatory at the time of the award.
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Application Requirements
Applicants must provide the following documentation to be considered for the Toby Merrill Scholarship:
- Tax forms from the previous year for both parents and the applicant.
- A letter from the university confirming the applicant is in good standing.
- Transcripts from the last two years.
- A diagnosis letter (if applicable).
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Total cost of attendance for the intended college or university.
Important Dates
Applications are accepted from March 15 to May 1, with winners announced in July. Grants are awarded for one year and may be renewed annually, contingent upon continued eligibility and available funding.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Students Impacted by Cancer
For students who have been affected by cancer, whether as patients, survivors, or children of those affected, several other scholarship opportunities exist. These scholarships can provide vital financial assistance to help students achieve their educational goals.
FinAidSite
FinAidSite provides a comprehensive list of scholarships for cancer patients, cancer survivors, children of a cancer patient or survivor, and students who have lost a parent to cancer, as well as those pursuing careers in cancer treatment. The site offers links to individual scholarship opportunities and information on other available financial aid options.
The Scott Delgadillo Scholarship Program
This program offers multiple awards to U.S. citizens impacted by leukemia or lymphoma, either as survivors, individuals diagnosed with the diseases, or individuals who have a member of their immediate family who have or had leukemia or lymphoma while living in the same household. Eligible students include high school seniors or those attending community college, a four-year university, or graduate school. Applicants must have a minimum un-weighted 3.0 GPA. Scholarship funds must be used for educational purposes, such as tuition, books, housing, or other expenses directly related to the educational experience at a two- or four-year college, a high school post-graduate year, technical or trade school, an accredited employment-training program, or a post-graduate program.
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The Karen Baker Scholarship Fund
The Karen Baker Scholarship Fund is available to applicants directly impacted by cancer, either through their own illness or that of an immediate family member. Applicants must graduate from a Chester County high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to attend a four-year accredited college. The scholarship provides \$5,000 per academic year of college attendance for four consecutive years, totaling \$20,000.
Scholarships for Residents of the Delaware Valley
Scholarships are awarded to residents of the Delaware Valley who are accepted to college or university and plan to enroll in the fall. Applicants must have a proven record of excellence demonstrating the ability to succeed in college and maximize the opportunity offered by the scholarship. They must also be pursuing a major that will prepare them for a career in a field that helps children facing cancer.
Scholarships for Students in New Jersey
Scholarships of up to \$5000 per year are awarded to students who have experienced cancer themselves or had a sibling or parent who experienced cancer. These scholarships are renewable for up to an additional three years. The final amount of each scholarship is determined based on financial need and status as a full-time or part-time student. Applicants must live and/or attend school in New Jersey and be attending a two- or four-year college or university.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
- \$1,000 Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year university, community college, junior college, or graduate degree program. Applicants must be in academic "good standing" and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Mesothelioma Help Scholarship Essay Contest: This essay contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 18 years or older and are currently enrolled in a college or university located within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
- Hunter Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors, community college, and four-year university students who are Leukemia/Lymphoma patients and/or are children of non-surviving Leukemia/Lymphoma patients. Applicants are evaluated based on their "Will Win" attitude, quality of essays and recommendations, overall story of cancer survivorship, commitment to education, and financial need.
- The SAMFund: While The SAMFund no longer awards scholarships for undergraduate tuition, undergrads who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for grants for other expenses, such as medical bills, school books, and computers. The average grant amount is typically in the \$1,500 - \$2,000 range.
- Sandra M. Scott J. Hunter Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students graduating from a high school in either Ocean or Monmouth County, New Jersey. Students must be accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, or vocational school. A variety of factors are considered, including financial need, academic excellence, community service, extracurricular activities, leadership, and work experience. One scholarship totaling up to \$20,000 is awarded annually, paid out in amounts of up to \$5,000 per year for up to four years.
- The Simon Cancer Foundation Scholarship: Applicants must sign an affidavit verifying they have had cancer during their lifetime. They must be enrolled, or be planning to enroll, full-time in an accredited college or university and must reside within specific coverage areas in NY, NJ, FL, and GA.
- TRIO Scholarships: Applicants must be a TRIO member (www.trioweb.org), have a GPA of 2.5 or above, and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship award must be used for continuing education at an accredited college, university, or trade/technical school certificate program. TRIO awards several non-renewable \$1,000 scholarships.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Students with Learning Disorders
- Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships: The Anne Ford Scholarship is a \$10,000 scholarship (\$2500 for 4 years) for graduating high school seniors with a documented learning disorder who are planning to pursue a 4-year undergraduate degree. The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is a \$2500 one-time scholarship for graduating high school seniors with a documented learning disorder who are planning to attend a 2-year community college, trade/vocational school, or specialized LD program, participates in school and community activities, and demonstrates financial need.
Study Abroad Opportunities
- Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship: This scholarship is for U.S. citizen undergraduates who are receiving Federal Pell Grants and are applying to or accepted into a study abroad or internship program approved by the studentâs university. Students must be studying in the same country for at least 3 weeks, or 2 weeks for current community college students, and the country may not be on the State Departmentâs Travel Warning list (level 3/4 on Travel Advisory). The amount of the financial award varies.
Scholarships for Dependents of Employees
- The ASME INSPIRE/Charles W.E. A.W. Scholarship: This scholarship is available to dependents of full-time Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages LLC employees who have been employed for at least one year at the time of the application deadline.
- The Steven H. Scholarship: This scholarship is available to dependents of full-time Greystar team members who have been employed for at least two consecutive years. Dependents of corporate and on-site team members are eligible to apply. The team member must be employed at the time the scholarship application is submitted, the recipient is selected, and the scholarship is paid unless termination is outside of the employee's control.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
- Anna V. Scholarship
- Kalia D. Scholarship
- Robert F. Scholarship
- Stephen F. Scholarship
Construction Management and Traditional Building Trades
- Will be attending an accredited US technical institute, 2 or 4 year college with a program in construction management, secondary votech school or tuition bearing apprenticeship program in the traditional building trades (e.g.
Pulse of Perseverance Scholarship
- Students must read the book, "Pulse of Perseverance: Three Black Doctors on Their Journey to Success" and submit a 250-word essay focusing on how they are currently making a difference in their community and why they believe they have the #pulseofperseverance.
- All applicants must submit a short video on why they possess the #pulseofperseverance and what the scholarship will mean to them. Video clips must be no longer than 60 seconds.
- Steps: Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4.
Navigating the Scholarship Application Process
Applying for scholarships can seem daunting, but with careful planning and attention to detail, students can significantly increase their chances of success. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
- Start Early: Begin researching and applying for scholarships well in advance of college application deadlines.
- Read Instructions Carefully: Pay close attention to the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines for each scholarship.
- Craft a Compelling Essay: The essay is an opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and goals. Write a thoughtful and engaging essay that addresses the prompt and highlights your unique strengths.
- Seek Recommendations: Ask teachers, counselors, mentors, or employers who know you well to write letters of recommendation. Provide them with ample time and information to write a strong letter.
- Proofread Carefully: Before submitting any application materials, proofread them carefully for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Follow Up: If you haven't heard back from the scholarship provider by the stated deadline, follow up to inquire about the status of your application.
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