For Students
Everything you need to know about becoming a Carson Scholar or seeking ongoing recognition after receiving the Carson Scholarship.
Scholarship & Recognition
The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11 who excel academically and are dedicated to serving their communities.
Scholarship Program
Open to students in grades 4-11 at accredited schools within the US who are nominated by an educator to apply for a $1,000 college scholarship.
Recognition Program
Honors students who have already received the Carson Scholarship and continue to exemplify academic excellence and dedication to service.
Basic eligibility requirements for the Carson Scholars Fund scholarship program.
The Carson Scholarship is available to students who are nominated by their school to apply. How schools determine their nominee is unique to each school and isn’t mandated by the Carson Scholars Fund.
To qualify, students must:
- Be enrolled in grades 4-11 at an eligible school
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Actively participate in acts of service
- Not already be a recipient of the scholarship
How to Apply
Students cannot directly request applications. Only educators and schools can nominate students for the Carson Scholars Program.
Connect With Your School
Reach out to your teacher, counselor or principal to express interest in the scholarship.
School Requests to Participate
An educator needs to submit the contact form on the educators page of our website to be added to our database. Nomination materials are sent to all email addresses on file each fall. An educator nominates a student by submitting the form before the deadline.
Complete The Application
If you are nominated to apply, you will complete and submit the application, including an essay, teacher recommendation letter, and submission of a current report card, before the deadline.
Important Deadlines
All submissions must be made by the specified deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Nomination Deadline
Educators must submit the nomination form by 11:59 pm EST.
Application Deadline
All applications are due by 11:59 pm EST.
Resources
Understanding Service Activities
Review our guide explaining what may be considered a service activity.
2027 Essay Questions
Students choose one essay question from their appropriate grade category to complete as part of the application.
Tell us about a person you admire. What have they done to inspire you, and how do they influence the choices you make every day? Your essay should be 250 words or fewer.
Describe a book that changed the way you see the world. What did you learn from it, and what would you tell a friend who has not read it yet?
Describe a time you made a difference in your school or community. What did you do, who did it help, and what did you learn about yourself?
Where do you see yourself in ten years? Describe how you plan to use your education to give back to your community, and what steps you are already taking today.
Important Deadlines
Nominations Open
Educators, from participating schools, will receive emailed communications with the form to nominate.
Nomination Deadline
Schools submit their nominated scholar to the Carson Scholars Fund by 11:59 PM EST.
Application Deadline
Nominated students complete and submit the full application, including essays, report card and letter(s) of recommendation.
All due by 11:59 PM EST.
Recommendations Due
Teacher and counselor recommendation forms must be received.
Scholarship Notifications
Recipients are notified via email and published on the website, in the first week of March.
You Received the Scholarship, Now What?
Understand Your Scholarship
- Your $1,000 award is now invested on your behalf.
- It will earn interest each year until you graduate from high school.
- You’ll receive an emailed scholarship statement each spring so you can view your current balance.
- When you graduate from high school, you’ll receive a payout request form.
- Each year through 12th grade, you can apply for Carson Scholar Recognition to reaffirm your continued commitment to education and service.
Plan Ahead
- Your scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and/or room and board.
- Eligible colleges include accredited colleges/universities within the US.
- When you graduate from high school, you can choose to payout your scholarship in its full amount, a partial amount, or defer payout for another semester.
- All scholarship funds are sent directly to the college/university on your behalf.
Recognition Program
- Application emailed directly to you each fall
- Requirements: 3.75+ GPA and active involvement in service – 3 hour minimum requirement
- No nomination, essay or teacher recommendation required
- Opportunity to renew status without monetary award
- Open to all Carson Scholars through senior year
Stay inspired by connecting and building community with other Carson Scholars.
Online Community Resources
Access links to the LinkedIn Alumni Group, Discord server, alumni newsletters, and other resources—all in one place.
Share Your Story
We’re always looking for scholars to spotlight across our social media channels and in publications. Contact us to share your accomplishments and current projects or just to say hello!
Past Awards Banquets and Events
