Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation

Description
The Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation (CBSMF) Scholarship supports graduating high school seniors who serve as swim coaches and demonstrate leadership, academic commitment, and community service. The award is intended to recognize and encourage young people who translate the focus, dedication, and responsibility of coaching into broader academic and civic success. It funds undergraduate expenses and can be renewed for up to four years if renewal conditions are met. The foundation emphasizes a genuine passion for coaching and active engagement with a swim team.

- **Purpose:** Support and recognize high school swim coaches who show leadership and academic promise.
- **Target recipients:** U.S. graduating high school seniors who are swim coaches.
- **Focus:** Coaching experience, community leadership, academic achievement.
- **Use:** Scholarship funds are for undergraduate education-related expenses.

Eligibility
Eligibility centers on academic standing, confirmed college acceptance, and demonstrable team coaching experience rather than lifeguarding or private swim instruction alone. Applicants must be U.S. students graduating from high school with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 and accepted to an accredited four-year college or university. The scholarship requires at least two years of team swim coaching experience and the applicant must still be a swim coach during the summer following high school graduation. Family members are not permitted to serve as references.

- **Academic:** Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA and proof of acceptance to a 4-year accredited college.
- **Coaching requirement:** At least two years as a team swim coach; must coach the summer after graduation.
- **Exclusions:** Lifeguard or swim instructor experience alone does not qualify.
- **Reference restriction:** No family members may provide reference letters.

Required Application Materials
Applicants submit a complete application through ScholarsApp.com and provide specific supporting documents and contact information for verification. Required materials include an official (or interim) high school transcript, SAT/ACT scores or a formal waiver statement, proof of college acceptance, and two reference letters—one explicitly from the swimming community (coach or community swim leader) and one additional non-family reference. Applicants must list the swim team name and provide a management representative’s phone and email, and describe specific coaching responsibilities; the foundation may contact that representative for verification.

- **Application portal:** Completed application via ScholarsApp.com (opens 1/31/2026).
- **Academic documents:** Official or interim transcript; SAT/ACT scores or waiver statement.
- **References:** One swimming reference (required) and one other non-family reference.
- **Coaching verification:** Team name, phone/email of head coach or manager, and a description of coaching duties.

Award Value and Renewal
The scholarship amount for 2026 is anticipated at $3,500 per year; the exact award is finalized by the CBSMF Board in June 2026. Funds may be used for tuition, books, room and board, and mandatory school fees. The award is renewable at the same annual amount for up to four years, contingent on the recipient meeting the Board’s annual renewal conditions as specified in the executed Annual Scholarship Agreement. Final disbursement requires submission of a final high school transcript and compliance with renewal terms.

- **Anticipated amount (2026):** $3,500 per year (final amount set by the Board in June 2026).
- **Permitted uses:** Tuition, books, room & board, mandatory fees.
- **Renewal:** Eligible for renewal up to 4 years at the same annual amount, subject to Board conditions.
- **Final award conditions:** Final transcript and adherence to the Annual Scholarship Agreement required.

Application Timeline and Process
The application opens on January 31, 2026, via ScholarsApp.com; applicants must submit all required materials through that portal. The CBSMF Board meets in June 2026 to determine the scholarship amount and to finalize awards. Interim transcripts may be submitted at the time of application, but no final award will be issued until a final high school transcript is provided. The Board reserves the right to request additional information and to contact listed swim team representatives to verify coaching responsibilities.

- **Opens:** ScholarsApp.com on 1/31/2026.
- **Board decision:** Award amount and recipients finalized at the June 2026 Board meeting.
- **Document timing:** Interim transcripts accepted for application; final transcript required for award issuance.
- **Verification:** Foundation may request more information and contact team representatives.

History and Purpose of the Award
The CBSMF Scholarship was established to honor Charles B. Staats’s appreciation for coaching and to recognize coaching’s influential role in a swimmer’s life. The foundation believes that the discipline, leadership, and dedication required to coach translate into success in education and community engagement. The award promotes producing future leaders who give back by coaching youth and adults in their communities. Its legacy is rooted in valuing service, mentorship, and the life skills developed through team coaching.

- **Origin:** Created to honor the love and importance of coaching.
- **Philosophy:** Coaching skills (focus, dedication, leadership) foster success beyond sport.
- **Legacy goal:** Encourage recipients to be community leaders and ongoing coaches.
- **Emphasis:** Service, mentorship, and personal development through team coaching.