Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington Crossing Foundation

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Trustees announces the annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards. This opportunity is open to students who will be completing their final year of high school in 2026 and are aspiring to pursue careers in government service. Please note that applicants must be citizens of the United States. The Trustees and Members of the Foundation, recognizing the historical significance of Washington Crossing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, firmly believe that the continued advancement of our nation relies on the dedication and thorough training of our youth, who will carry the torch of government service in the years to come.

We invite each interested student to compose a one-page essay detailing their reasons for pursuing a career in government service. We encourage you to draw inspiration from the leadership of George Washington during his renowned crossing of the Delaware. This essay should be accompanied by a recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor, evaluating your achievements. Please also include transcripts, national testing scores, and any other supporting information as outlined in the Official Rules.

Each year, we award a variety of scholarships. These scholarships will be paid as long as the student meets the requirements of their chosen college. Students planning to attend a Military Academy or those who have been awarded full four-year tuition scholarships are also eligible for an award.

In previous years, winners have had their expenses covered for transportation, food, and housing in Pennsylvania for the weekend of the Scholarship Awards Ceremony. All winners are required to attend the Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Saturday, May 2, 2026, to receive their scholarship. The ceremony and luncheon will commence at 11 am at the Washington Crossing Inn, located adjacent to Washington Crossing Historic Park.

We encourage you to visit our website, which contains comprehensive information to assist candidates in preparing and submitting an application. This includes:

• The program’s Official Rules, requirements, and procedures
• A complete, downloadable version of the program information published on this site

We appreciate your interest in our National Scholarship Competition. To be considered for this year’s program, applications must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2026. We strongly advise all applicants to send their applications via Priority Mail, as we have experienced delays in the past. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Eligibility

This competition is open to all high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and are planning careers of service to the United States in local, state, or federal government. Please note that all awards are for one year.

Application Process

A complete scholarship application must include three copies of a cover page containing the following information, in the order listed:

• Full name of the applicant (nickname in parentheses)
• Home address of the applicant
• Home telephone number of the applicant
• Name of the applicant’s school
• School address
• School telephone number
• Number of students in senior class and total number of students in school
• Name and title of the Principal or Guidance Counselor recommending the applicant
• First three college choices, in order of preference
• How the applicant learned of the Scholarship Program and the search engine used, if any
• Confirmation of the applicant's senior status in high school
• Date of birth of the applicant
• If applicable, Pennsylvania county of residence
• Applicant’s home email address
• Applicant’s cell phone number
• Information on any relatives who have served in the Armed Forces, including their relationship to the applicant and their service dates

Note: Applicants are welcome to include a photograph with their application. We strongly recommend sending applications via Priority Mail to avoid potential delays.