Memorial Scholarships to Apply for in 2026

The loss of a loved one can be incredibly difficult, especially while simultaneously studying toward a college degree. The proximity of these relationships has the potential to alter our focus and make it emotionally harder to achieve collegiate dreams and goals.

It is important to recognize these loved ones' memories for the incredible impact they made while they were alive. It serves as an opportunity to broadcast who they were while helping someone else through a similar loss.

There are opportunities to create a memorial scholarship fund to honor someone's memory for what they achieved or wanted to do. These scholarship funds can be used to financially support a deserving student that might have similar aspirations or experiences.

Memorial scholarships are always established in the name of the deceased, but the purpose of can vary widely depending on the interests and values of the person being remembered. The scholarship can be tailored to accurately reflect their desires in whatever way that may be.

Dive into our scholarship blog and discover memorial scholarships that could change your future!

How Can You Make a Scholarship Fund?

Given the emotional difficulty behind the task, beginning the process can be initially intimidating. Bold.org makes it incredibly easy for you to open a memorial fund with a few easy steps. The platform works with your vision to create something that honors your loved one's memory meaningfully.

Create an account

To start a memorial scholarship, you must first create a donor account on Bold.org. Following the account, you will then be asked to submit a scholarship proposal. Here, you will get the opportunity to share your scholarship idea, including who it is for, so the team can get a gist.

Finalize Details

Upon submission, a team member will do all the work behind the scenes according to your criteria to create a scholarship draft. This draft will be shared for you to alter it to your liking. This will allow you to set specific eligibility criteria, dates, and raise funds.

Once approved, the scholarship will be posted on the page for college students to begin applying.

Whatever it may be, Bold.org is committed to making the journey as easy as possible. Memorial scholarship funds exceed being simply a scholarship; it is your opportunity to share a story with people that are interested in listening.

By keeping their legacy alive, others are able to feel their impact by receiving support in their future in their name.

Learn more about how to set up a memorial scholarship fund!

Who Decides the Winner of a Scholarship Fund?

Almost every memorial scholarship is created by family members or close friends of the person being remembered. As soon as the scholarship is published, you can be as hands-on as you like.

The scholarship committee is happy to take care of all the logistics, including picking a winner and sending them their funds, making it as easy as possible on your part.

However, if you want to have a greater part in the process, then that can be happily accommodated. The team can narrow down the list to the deserving students that best fit the eligibility requirements so that you can decide on the final winner.

This scholarship is completely yours, so it will be treated as such. Every decision regarding it will be communicated beforehand to ensure all the funds are allocated correctly.

Bold.org Memorial Scholarships

Bold.org has been fortunate enough to feature an abundance of memorial scholarships on our page. It was among the most frequently published scholarships featured on the website, allowing applicants who have dealt with a loss to have a higher chance of obtaining one.

One of the best features of Bold.org is that the platform uploads new scholarships every day, allowing students to apply to as many opportunities as they are eligible for, whether memorial scholarships or another kind.

High School Students

High school is the best time for students to begin applying for scholarships. Getting an early start puts you at an advantage in saving up for college. In fact, obtaining enough scholarships early on opens doors for making more expensive schools affordable.

1. Henry Bynum Jr. Memorial Scholarship
2. Larry Leon Irons Culinary Memorial Scholarship
3. Jose Montanez Memorial Scholarship
4. Heather Payne Memorial Scholarship
5. Gary Hope Cosmetology And Barbering Scholarship

To explore more scholarships catered to high school students, including more memorial scholarships, check out our page!

High School Seniors

With college approaching soon thereafter, most students begin searching for scholarships while simultaneously applying to college. In preparation for paying for college, these scholarships will be helpful for upcoming college tuition payments.

If not earlier, students are encouraged to explore financial aid opportunities, especially scholarships for their respective schools. As college costs increase disproportionately to the household income, scholarships are more important than ever.

1. Frantz Barron Scholarship
2. Sallie Rowland Bright Futures Scholarship
3. Hilda Klinger Memorial Scholarship
4. David Foster Memorial Scholarship
5. Linda Fontenot-Williams Memorial Scholarship

To explore more scholarships catered to high school seniors and memorial scholarships, check out our page!

Undergraduate + Graduate Students

A common misconception is that scholarships are solely available to high school students and that students are no longer eligible to apply upon graduation. Yet, there are scholarships for students pursuing all different kinds of degrees.

The opportunities at Bold.org are endless, as there are scholarships to support every student's dream. The platform makes it easy to apply while still in school to provide financial support for the following year.

1. Ernest Lee McLean Jr.: World Life Memorial Scholarship
2. Dr. Andy Nieto Memorial First Generation Opportunity and Excellence Scholarship
3. Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship
4. Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship
5. Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship

To explore more scholarships catered to students seeking higher education and memorial scholarships, browse the scholarship search feature!

Can Anyone Contribute to a Scholarship Fund?

Yes, absolutely! Before the scholarship is funded, the donor is allowed to dictate how much they want the scholarship award to be.

This amount will be published alongside the scholarship. Yet, it may increase if others choose to contribute to the scholarship fund. Contributions can be made by family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, or even by anonymous donors who wish to support the cause.

Any contributions will be added automatically to the scholarship program. It is a great opportunity to raise money to offer more for students demonstrating financial need.

Can You Lose a Memorial Scholarship?

All scholarships are monetary gifts given to students on the basis that the information they provide is accurate and factual. Students are strictly supposed to follow the eligibility criteria to be valid applicants.

This criterion can vary based on education, GPA, life experiences, gender, and future career paths. The information in the scholarship that reinforces these requirements must prove to be true. If any false or misinformation was presented, that scholarship might be revoked and given to another more fitting applicant.

While every scholarship is different, most come with specific guidelines or expectations. If this is not reflected in the recipient's behavior, and they violate these terms, such as academic dishonesty, criminal activities, or other misconduct, it could result in the revocation of the scholarship.