Richard Holland Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Holland Family Legacy Foundation

Overview
Here’s everything you need to know about the Holland Family Legacy Foundation scholarship and how to prepare a competitive application. Read carefully, follow directions, and give yourself plenty of time to polish each piece.

Who is eligible
- High school applicants: minimum 3.5 GPA (4.0 scale)
- Current college applicants: minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
- Must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full‑time undergraduate at an accredited four‑year college or university for the entire academic year
- Preference given to students from families with total annual income under $100,000, or to applicants with a documented extenuating circumstance (medical issue, recent job loss, etc.)

What the selection board looks for
The selection board will evaluate each application using these criteria:
- Academic performance (GPA)
- Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) if available
- Demonstrated leadership and personal qualities
- Clarity of goals and aspirations
- Alignment with personal values
- Financial need

Application components (what you must submit)
1. Video essay
- 3–5 minutes long.
- Tell us about something you care about and why. Be specific. Past topics from winners have ranged from movies and knitting to robotics, founding organizations, basketball, and volunteer work. Let your personality come through—authenticity matters.

2. Personal essay
- Describe a specific experience and explain how it shaped you. Focus on reflection and growth, not just description.

3. Resume
- Include extracurricular activities, awards and recognition, special talents, community service, and work history.

4. Adult appraisal
- An adult (teacher, coach, employer, community leader) should explain how you have impacted others or contributed to your community.

5. Peer appraisal
- A friend or classmate should describe why they value you as a peer.

6. Transcripts
- Upload your high school transcripts.

Important dates and award details
- Application window: January 1 through March 15 (online submissions only).
- Notification: Recipients will be notified by May 1.
- Award use: Scholarship funds cover undergraduate tuition and fees only. Funds are paid directly to the college/university and are split between the fall and spring semesters.
- Selection board authority: The Holland Family Legacy Foundation appoints the selection board. The board may decide not to award a scholarship in a given year if it believes there are insufficient qualified applicants. If a recipient is unable to accept the award, the board may select an alternate.

Quick tips from a teacher
- Be specific and reflective in your essays—concrete examples and honest insight matter more than grand claims.
- Ask for appraisals from adults and peers who know you well and can give concrete examples of your impact and character.
- Keep the video focused, practice your delivery, and show your genuine self—technical polish helps, but sincerity wins.
- Proofread everything and meet the deadline.

If you’d like, I can help you draft your personal essay, critique your resume, or review a script for your video essay.