Scholarship Eligibility and Guidelines

Described below are eligibility and selection criteria for scholarships funded by the MISD Foundation for Excellence.

MISD Foundation Scholarships Eligibility and Guidelines

Applicants for the Alexander, Boone, Carroll, Jeffrey, Payne, Rogers, Rose, and Russell scholarships should use one form: the Application Form; MISD Foundation Scholarships.

Note that the application requires two letters of reference. As indicated in the guidelines, some scholarships specify who must write the letters, and one scholarship requires supplementary documents. Applicants are responsible for requesting letters and insuring writers are aware of the deadline.

The Application Form is available on the foundation website: http://www.murrayfoundation.net/ or from the MHS counselor. Supplementary forms for the Rogers scholarship are available only from the counselor. All information requested on the form is used by at least one of the committees who select recipients, but some information (for example class rank) is not used by some committees.

Applications and supporting documents, including letters of reference, must be submitted to the MHS Counselor by the scholarship application deadline: noon on the Friday before Spring Break. Other foundation scholarships and funding are described after those requiring the common application. The Barnett and Crafton scholarships require a letter of nomination but not an application. The Burgess-Spann fund uses a special application form and follows a different schedule. The Cella travel fund is for MHS graduates attending MSU.

Scholarships requiring an application


Eli M. and Sally L. Alexander Scholarship

To receive the scholarship, students must enroll as full-time students at any accredited university.

Recipients shall be students who meet the following criteria:

a. Athletics- Recipients shall have been enrolled at Murray High School for four consecutive years (freshman to senior) and have been active in any sport at Murray High School.

b. Scholarship – Recipients must have maintained a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; class rank and test scores are not considered.

c. Leadership – Recipients shall demonstrate integrity and good citizenship, and preference shall be given to students who have made the greatest contribution to the quality of life at Murray High School through their classroom and extracurricular leadership.

d. Need – Community activities and financial need may also be considered.

James H. Boone Sr. Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship shall be awarded to a Murray High School senior each spring to attend any college or university during the following academic year. At least one letter of recommendation shall be from a teacher or coach.

The recipient shall be a student who meets the following criteria:

a. Athletics- The student shall have been active in sports.

b. Scholarship – The student shall have maintained at least a B average in high school.

c. Leadership – The student shall have exhibited leadership in academics, extracurricular activities and the community.

d. Need – The award will be of significant assistance to the student.

Burgess-Spann Travel Scholarship

Assistance with expenses for international travel in a trip led by a Murray High School teacher will be awarded in alternate, even-numbers years to MHS juniors or seniors at the time of application.

Completed applications and two letters of recommendation shall be sent to the foundation at the address on the application no later than November 30 of the year preceding the trip. At least one letter of recommendation shall be from a language teacher.

Recipients shall be students who meet the following criteria:

a. Language experience – Student shall have been active in the language programs of Murray High School.

b. Scholarship – Students shall have maintained at least a 2.5 grade point average while in high school.

c. Maturity – Students shall have exhibited the kind of maturity that would indicate a likelihood that the travel would be of significant  educational value to the student.

d. Need – The award will be of significant assistance to the students.

 

Tommy Carroll Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship shall be awarded to a Murray High School senior each spring to attend Murray State University during for the following year. At least one letter of recommendation shall be from a teacher or coach.

The recipient shall be a student who meets the following criteria:

a. Athletics – The student shall have been active in sports.

b. Scholarship – The student shall have maintained at least a B average in high school.

c. Leadership – The student shall have exhibited leadership in academics, extracurricular activities and the community.
d. Need – The award will be of significant assistance to the student.

Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey Scholarship

The recipient of the Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey Scholarship will be obligated to attend all five days of the Young Authors Camp. The Scholarship will cover the camp fee, which includes materials and instruction.
 

Robert Glin Jeffrey Scholarship

A scholarship will be awarded each spring to a senior at Murray High School.
Recipients must excel in one or more of the following: scholarship, leadership, or service.

Connie Payne Scholarship

A scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduating MHS senior who will enroll full-time student at an accredited university to prepare for a career in public school education.

Applicants must have

a. a GPA of 2.75 or better,

b. attended MHS for four consecutive years,

c. demonstrated leadership qualities of integrity and good citizenship in classroom and extracurricular activities.
Community service and financial need may be considered.

Bob and Gayle Rogers Scholarship

A scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduating MHS senior who plans to attend Murray State University and prepare for a career in public school education. Half the award will be made available upon enrollment at MSU and half upon enrollment in the teacher education program.

Completed applications must include two supplementary documents: a personal statement explaining applicants’ choice of career and ways in which the scholarship will benefit them, and statements from two teachers discussing how well the applicant fulfills the purpose and criteria for the award.

Applicants must provide evidence of

a. a GPA of 3.0 or better

b. significant participation in at least one extra-curricular activity
c. service within the schools or community.

Jack and Janice Rose Scholarship

A scholarship will be awarded annually to a senior who will attend Murray State University. Applications should identify persons who will provide letters of recommendation.
Selection will be based on demonstrated character, achievements, and service. Financial need may be a significant factor.

Allen and Mary Ann Russell Scholarship

Two scholarships will be awarded annually. Applications should identify persons who will provide letters of recommendation: a coach for the Allen Russell scholarship and a teacher of English for the Mary Ann Russell
scholarship.

Demonstrated character, achievements, service, and financial need will be considered for both scholarships.

The Allen Russell Scholarship will also consider participation in sports, including participation as a manager or statistician. The Mary Ann Russell Scholarship will also consider participation in creative writing activities or selection as the Outstanding Senior English Student

Dr. Arvin and Martha Crafton Scholarship

No application is required, but nominees may be asked to complete an essay about their school and community activities.

The scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduating MHS senior based on character, academic achievement, athletic or musical achievement, and community and church involvement, with additional consideration toward financial need.

Any MHS graduating senior who plans to attend Murray State University may be nominated. Anyone who would like to nominate a student for consideration may send a letter discussing how the student matches the criteria to the MHS counselor by March 31.

Scholarships and Funds NOT Requiring an Application


Brad Barnett Scholarship

No application is required, but nominees may be asked to complete a questionnaire about their school and community activities. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduating MHS senior who best demonstrates the strength of character to overcome obstacles which Mr. Brad Barnett exemplified during a seven year battle with ALS: Courage. Hope. Positivity. Strength. Faithfulness. Compassion.

Any MHS graduating senior who plans to attend Murray State University may be nominated. Anyone who would like to nominate a student for consideration may send a letter discussing how the student matches the criteria to the MHS counselor by March 31.

Cella Family Fund

The fund shall be used to encourage and help graduates of Murray High School participate in a study abroad program at Murray State University.

After being accepted to participate in a study abroad program through MSU, graduates of MHS may apply for financial help by writing a letter to the MISD Foundation’s Endowments Committee outlining their reasons for studying abroad and how such study will support their educational goals; it should include the names of two current or former instructors who have agreed to provide a letter of reference. By applying, graduates agree to provide transcripts from MHS and MSU to the foundation.