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’s 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 GPA of 3.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for the current school year
- 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.
- Teachers help us grow in many ways. Think about a teacher, coach, family member, or mentor who taught you something important. Describe what you learned and explain how you could use that lesson to help another person. How can sharing what you’ve learned make your community stronger?
- Imagine you’ve been asked to give a “Book Talk” to your classmates to encourage them to read a book that you really love. In essay format, write your speech. Be sure to include the title of the book, why you would recommend the book and what lesson(s) could be learned from the story.
- People often think about leaving a legacy later in life, but our actions today shape how others remember us. What kind of legacy do you want to begin building now? Explain how education, service, and paying it forward can help you leave a positive impact on your school and community.
- Leadership is not only about being in charge—it’s also about helping others succeed. Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership by serving someone else. What qualities do you believe make an effective leader?
- Many works of art, music, literature, scientific discoveries, and innovations can shape the way we view ourselves and the world around us. Write an essay about one such work or idea that had a meaningful impact on your thinking and discuss how it influenced your outlook.
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky
Tell a story about a time you took a shot at something. In your story, include how this experience impacted your life (positively or negatively) and share what came out of the experience.
Important Deadlines
Nominations Open
Educators from participating schools will receive emailed communications with the form to nominate.
Nomination Deadline
Schools must submit the nomination form to the Carson Scholars Fund by 11:59 PM EST.
Application Deadline
Complete and submit the full application, including essay, report card and letter(s) of recommendation, by 11:59 PM EST.
Recommendations Due
Teacher and counselor recommendation letters must be received.
Scholarship Notifications
All applicants and schools 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
10,000 Scholarship Recipient
Providence St. Mel Dinner – 2018
18th & 21st
