Evans Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Western Golf Association

Description The Evans Scholarship is a merit- and need-based college scholarship specifically for high-achieving caddies from limited-income families. It covers students who have demonstrated sustained commitment to caddying and who meet academic and character expectations. The program targets candidates beginning in their senior year of high school and also accepts applications from eligible college freshmen. The scholarship aims to remove financial barriers to college by pairing demonstrated work (as a caddie) with academic potential and strong personal character. - Purpose:

Full college access for accomplished caddies with financial need. - Who it serves:

High-achieving high school seniors and qualifying college freshmen who have caddie experience. - Core emphasis:

Work record (caddying), academics, need, and character. Eligibility Applicants must satisfy four distinct eligibility criteria: a sustained caddie record, strong academic performance, demonstrable financial need, and exemplary character and leadership. Specifically, candidates should have caddied regularly for at least two years and are generally expected to caddie at their sponsoring club during the year they apply. Academically, applicants must have completed their junior year with an above-B average in college-preparatory courses; standardized tests (ACT/SAT) were made optional for some recent application cycles. Financial need must be clearly documented, and applicants are evaluated for integrity, leadership, and overall character. - Strong caddie record:

Minimum two years of regular caddying and caddying at the sponsoring club during application year. - Excellent academics:

Above-B average in college-prep coursework; standardized tests may be optional for certain cycles. - Demonstrated financial need:

Clear evidence that scholarship support is required. - Outstanding character:

Evaluated for integrity, leadership, and conduct. Award Value The Evans Scholarship covers full college tuition and housing for selected recipients. The scholarship is intended to remove two of the largest college cost barriers—tuition and room & board—so recipients can focus on academic success. Exact coverage applies to the institution and housing arrangements agreed upon through the program and the selected student’s college. - Tuition:

Full undergraduate tuition covered. - Housing:

Coverage includes college housing (room and board). - Scope:

Focused on primary costs of attendance (tuition and on-campus housing). Application Timeline The application cycle has a clear seasonal cadence: applications open in early August, major financial aid forms become available on or about October 1, completed applications and supporting materials are expected by mid-October, and the review cycle begins in mid-October. Applicants should submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA promptly when those tools open; the Scholarship Committee begins its review after mid-October. Final decisions for the application cycle are concluded in the spring. - Aug. 1:

Online application becomes available. - Oct. 1:

CSS Profile and FAFSA become available—submit as soon as possible. - Mid-October:

Completed application and all supporting documents expected. - Spring:

Scholarship Committee completes reviews and concludes decisions for the cycle. Required Documents A complete application must include the online application plus a set of supporting documents that allow the Committee to verify academics, caddie history, recommendations, and financial need. Required items include the CSS Profile (use code 0153), the FAFSA Submission Summary with the Student Aid Index (SAI), a High School Evaluation, a Caddie Evaluation, letters of recommendation, an official high school transcript, and any test scores when required. Missing or late documents can disqualify an application, so applicants should assemble and submit these items well before the mid-October expectation. - CSS Profile:

Submit to College Board (Evans Scholars Foundation code: 0153). - FAFSA Submission Summary:

Include the SAI from the submitted FAFSA. - Evaluations & recommendations:

High School Evaluation, Caddie Evaluation, and recommendation letters. - Academic records:

Official high school transcript and test scores (if applicable). Selection Process Applications are evaluated by the Scholarship Committee through a staged review that assesses fit against the scholarship’s four core criteria. The Committee conducts an initial review of submitted files, identifies finalists, and interviews those finalists as part of the assessment. Final selections are made by the Committee based on the combined evidence of record, evaluations, recommendations, interviews, and documented need. - Initial review:

Committee screens complete applications for eligibility and completeness. - Finalist interviews:

Selected applicants are interviewed to assess character and fit. - Committee decision:

Final selections are made by the Scholarship Committee after interviews and file review. History of the Award The Evans Scholarship program was founded to provide educational opportunity to deserving caddies and has been administered by organizations tied to the golf community since its inception. It grew from a single-scholar initiative into a formal scholarship program dedicated to combining caddie service with college access. Over many decades the program has become a recognized pathway for caddies who demonstrate academic ability, financial need, and leadership. - Founding purpose:

Created to expand college access for caddies demonstrating merit and need. - Program growth:

Evolved from an individual effort into an organized scholarship program. - Community roots:

Historically supported and promoted through the golf and caddie community.