ACP Foundation College Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Adam Charles Ports Foundation

Description The Adam Charles Ports (ACP) Foundation awards scholarships to students who have trained in martial arts and are pursuing higher education. The program supports academic advancement for martial artists by providing financial awards that start at $1,000. Applicants apply via the online scholarship application; the Foundation manages awards and disbursements through the recipient’s school. The Foundation emphasizes both academic potential and martial-arts commitment when supporting recipients.

• Purpose: Scholarships for martial-art-trained students pursuing college or vocational education.
• Minimum award: $1,000.
• Application method: online scholarship application.
• Focus: academic advancement plus martial-arts experience.

Eligibility Applicants must meet specific residency and training requirements to qualify for the ACP Foundation scholarship. Candidates need at least one year of martial-arts training in any style and must be Ohio residents or undergraduates with a permanent Ohio address and current enrollment. Eligible applicants must also complete and submit all items listed on the Scholarship Application Checklist to be considered.

• Training requirement: minimum one year in any martial-arts style.
• Residency: Ohio resident or undergraduate with permanent Ohio address.
• Enrollment: currently enrolled in a school of higher learning (for undergraduates with Ohio address).
• Complete and submit all checklist items to qualify.

Evaluation Criteria Scholarship decisions are based on documented martial-arts involvement, written materials, and instructor endorsement. Key evaluation components include a recommendation from the applicant’s martial-arts instructor, a personal statement, and a required essay as specified on the application form. The applicant’s martial-arts accomplishments and overall application completeness are also assessed during the review process.

• Instructor’s recommendation is required.
• Written submissions: personal statement and essay (see application for length).
• Martial-arts accomplishments are considered.
• Completeness of the application affects evaluation.

Award Value and Distribution Scholarship awards begin at $1,000; exact award amounts vary by recipient and are determined by the Foundation. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school of higher learning rather than to the student. Before funds are disbursed the Foundation requires the recipient’s Social Security number and the student ID number for proper processing.

• Minimum award: $1,000; award amounts vary.
• Payment method: disbursed directly to the educational institution.
• Required for disbursement: recipient SSN and student ID number.
• Funds are not issued directly to students.

Application Checklist A complete application must include specific documents and forms listed on the Scholarship Application Checklist. Required items include the completed Scholarship Application Form, proof of enrollment (acceptance letter or class registration for the next term), a letter of recommendation from the martial-arts instructor, a one-page personal statement, and the application essay (2–3 pages, double-spaced as specified). Applicants must also include the completed internal checklist and submit the full package by the posted deadline.

• Application Form: fill out the Scholarship Application Form (both sides if prompted online).
• Proof of enrollment: official acceptance letter or next-term registration list.
• Recommendation: letter from your martial-arts instructor.
• Written materials: one-page personal statement and 2–3 page essay (double-spaced).
• Include completed checklist and submit by the deadline.

Application Timeline The Foundation follows a set schedule for review, award notification, and fund distribution; applicants should follow the posted dates on the application. Award notifications are announced in October (the 2025 awards will be announced in October 2025). Once a recipient is selected and required documentation is received, the Foundation arranges payment to the school for the appropriate term.

• Review and notifications: awards announced in October (e.g., October 2025 for that cycle).
• Submission: adhere to the official application deadline listed on the form.
• Post-award steps: submit required disbursement documents after notification.
• Funds are arranged with the recipient’s school for the appropriate academic term.

History of the Award Since its inception, the ACP Foundation has awarded substantial scholarship support to martial-arts students pursuing education. To date the Foundation has awarded $768,000 in scholarships to deserving students. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded 22 scholarships totaling $87,000, made possible by donors and sponsors who support the program.

• Total distributed since inception: $768,000.
• 2024 awards: 22 scholarships totaling $87,000.
• Funded by donors and sponsors supporting the Foundation’s mission.