Aryana Coelho Memorial Scholarship
We would like to offer this scholarship to honor our loved one Aryana Coelho who was just 18 years old when she was tragically taken from her loved ones due to a fentanyl overdose. Despite facing numerous challenges in her life, Aryana always poured love and kindness into those around her. She specifically loved her two younger sisters and took pride in being the oldest sibling. Aryana had big dreams and a passion for culinary arts, often putting her own creative twist on the dishes she cooked. Unfortunately, addiction changed the course of her life, and it only took one moment to alter her path forever.
The youth opioid crisis in the United States has become a growing public health emergency, with rising numbers of adolescents and young adults becoming victims of opioid addiction and overdose deaths. This crisis is fueled by the widespread availability of prescription painkillers, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids, which have made their way into schools, communities, and homes. Many young people begin experimenting with opioids due to peer pressure, mental health struggles, or a lack of education about the dangers of these substances. As a result, opioid misuse has led to devastating consequences, including severe addiction, damaged futures, and tragically, an increasing number of fatal overdoses. Efforts to address the crisis include better education, improved access to treatment, and stricter regulations on prescription medications, but the epidemic remains a critical challenge to public health.
This scholarship seeks to honor the young life of Aryana Coelho by supporting students who have faced addiction or watched a loved one go through it.
Any high school senior in the New England area who is pursuing a 2 or 4 year college degree or trade school and has faced addiction, either personally or through a loved one, may apply for this scholarship opportunity. Applicants pursuing the culinary arts are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply, tell us how addiction has impacted your life, what challenges you have faced, and how these experiences have affected your goals, values, and aspirations.
How has addiction, whether personally, through a loved one, or within your community, impacted your life? Please describe the challenges you’ve faced as a result and explain how these experiences have influenced your personal goals, values, and future aspirations.
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Aug 20, 2025. Winners will be announced on Sep 20, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Sep 20, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.