Shaffer Family First Responder Scholarship
The Shaffer Family Foundation is dedicated to honoring and supporting first responders in Delaware. Through their annual Rally for Our First Responders, the Shaffer family brings the community together to show gratitude for their service.
First responders work tirelessly to protect our communities, often at great personal sacrifice. Their children deserve the opportunity to achieve their educational dreams without the added burden of financial strain so they can succeed in higher education, strengthening the bond between first responders and the community.
This scholarship aims to help first responder families while investing in the next generation in order to express gratitude and commitment to those who serve and protect us every day.
Any high school student who is the child of a Delaware first responder (firefighter, police officer, paramedic, military personnel, or dispatcher) may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they will attend an accredited college or university after graduating.
To apply, tell us about your connection to first responders, your educational and career goals, and your background with personal growth and community impact. In addition to the essay, you have the option to include a photo of yourself with your first responder parent or guardian. This submission is optional and will not affect the evaluation of the application—it’s simply an opportunity to share a visual connection to your story.
In 500–750 words, please address the following:
1. Your Connection to First Responders: Share how being the child of a first responder has influenced your life. Reflect on the values you’ve learned from your parent(s) or guardian(s) and how they shape your goals.
2. Your Educational and Career Goals: Explain what you plan to study in college and why you’ve chosen this field. Describe how your education will help you achieve your career aspirations and make a positive impact in your community or beyond.
3. Personal Growth and Community Impact: Discuss a challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it, particularly how it has prepared you for success in college. Share how you hope to give back to your community or contribute to the well-being of others in the future.
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FAQ
The application deadline is Dec 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Dec 31, 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 Dec 31, 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.