Mayflower Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by General Society of Mayflower Descendants Scholarship Program
Overview
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors who can document Mayflower descent and plan to enroll in either a four-year college or a two-year community college. For 2024, GSMD has also introduced a Native American Scholarship for seniors who can verify descent from a Native American ancestor.
Scholarship Awards
GSMD will present three High School Senior scholarships in these amounts: $6,000, $5,000, and $4,000. In addition, a Mary Chilton Winslow Scholarship of $2,400 will be awarded. All awards are intended for graduating high school seniors who are Mayflower descendants and who will be entering a four-year college/university or a two-year community college.
Eligibility — Ancestry and Membership
To be considered for a Mayflower scholarship, applicants must:
- Identify the Mayflower ancestor(s) from whom they descend.
- Provide a valid GSMD membership number that belongs to the applicant or to the applicant’s parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. That GSMD member must be active (not deceased, resigned, or dropped).
Application Requirements
Each applicant must:
- Be a graduating high school senior.
- Complete and submit the official scholarship application.
- Write and submit the required essay.
- Provide a recent high school transcript.
- Be planning to attend a four-year college/university or a two-year community college.
Recommendation Letters
Applicants must supply the names and email addresses of two references — one teacher and one community member — so each reference can complete and return the GSMD “Letter of Recommendation” form. Missing or incomplete recommendation forms will result in disqualification.
Selection Consideration
In keeping with the Pilgrim settlers’ pursuit of improvement through migration to a new world, the selection committee will give special consideration to applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to personal growth and self-improvement.
Important: Incomplete applications, including failure to provide required recommendation forms or any other supporting documents, will not be considered.