Scholarship Application

     The Ave Maria Veterans Association is very happy to announce its SY 2025-2026 Scholarship Program.  

Each year our organization raises funds to award scholarships to deserving students in the Ave Maria Community

  This year we hope to award up to $8000 in total scholarships to approved candidates.

     The program is open to students who are the children or grandchildren of Veterans who live in the Ave Maria community and / or Cadets from the Palmetto Ridge or Immokalee High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Programs.

    Students / Cadets who meet the eligibility criteria may apply at this site or through the mail between January 1st and February 15th, 2026.  The detailed criteria and application instructions are available at the Application Form Link below.  

Students / Cadets should start gathering the required documentation listed below and start preparing their applications right away so they will be ready to submit a complete application packet starting January 1st.

     Students / Cadets who submit complete applications with all supporting documents by February 15th will be evaluated by our scholarship committee.  They will be evaluated based upon a 500-word written essay, GPA, Community / Volunteer Service, Academic Awards, Leadership, and JROTC Program participation (if applicable).

  Applicants who are selected for a scholarship will be notified and awarded by May 2026.  The exact amount of the individual scholarships will be based on the number of approved applicants and the total scholarship funds available.

  The objective of the Ave Maria Veterans Association is to promote patriotism, awareness and interest in veterans affairs and to participate in community and civic activities.  We are very honored to be able to offer these scholarships to deserving future leaders of our Great Nation.  

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Gather the following documents and save them as digital files before submitting your application at the link below. See Below or see your Teacher, JROTC Instructor or Counselor for the "Scholarship Application Instructions for Students" for required forms.

When saving the files, the filename should include the name of the applicant (i.e. JohnDoetranscripts.pdf) so they can be easily reviewed with your application.

1. 1. Copy of current High School transcripts or a letter (on school letterhead) signed by a school official (principal or guidance counselor) confirming current cumulative (unweighted) GPA.

   2. Copy of the Parent’s or Grandparent’s DD Form-214 (If applicable). 

   3. Copy of Community/Volunteer Service and Awards Information by the applicant. (Attachment B from Scholarship Application Instructions for Students)

   4. Copy of Leadership Position information by the applicant. (Attachment C from Scholarship Application Instructions for Students).

   5. One copy of the Institution Acceptance Letter (If Available) 

   6. Proof of family’s gross income.  (Attach copy of Form 1040 to verify income). Family Gross Income cannot exceed $125,000 (filing single) or $175,000 (married, filing jointly) per year.

   7. One copy of the 500 word essay written by the applicant that answers the following question: “What Makes America Great”  Use the Essay Rubric (Attachment D from Scholarship Application Instructions for Students).  The Essay must be written in Microsoft Word, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 pitch font, with 1-inch margins on all 4 sides.

   8. Letters of Recommendation (up to 3) from Teachers, School Administrators, Coaches and/or JROTC Instructors. If JROTC Cadet, at least one letter must be from their JROTC Instructor and should include how many years the cadet has been in JROTC.

Questions?

Contact us at avemariavets@gmail.com and address your questions to the Scholarship Committee