Scholarship Awards

The Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship Fund will award an annual scholarship based on both merit and financial need to a full-time junior or senior enrolled at a public university in Mississippi or Southern University in Louisiana, majoring in criminal justice, political science, social work, pre-law, or counseling.

The student must have a declared career interest in juvenile justice or a related field and show a strong commitment to community and public service. The scholarship is a one-time award of up to $2,500 (non-renewable). The award can be used for tuition, books, and room and board.

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, classified as Juniors or Seniors at the start of the fall semester, with a current GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need, which must be verified through the student’s university or college financial aid office. If a student meets the eligibility criteria outlined above, he or she must submit the following:

• Complete the online Scholarship application.
• An essay describing career interests in juvenile justice or a related field.
• A summary of community and public service activities.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation: one from a former or current teacher, one from a supervisor overseeing your community or public service activities, and one from a person of your choice.
• Financial aid information confirmed by the University or College Financial Aid Officer.
• Leadership qualities, academic achievements, and career plans in the Juvenile Justice field will be important factors in the selection process. Additional consideration will be given to applicants with financial need and those with multiple household members in college at the same time.

Applications are due April 15

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status via email. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s chosen institution by August 15, provided all required documentation has been submitted. The scholarship winner may be invited to accept their award at the Annual Mississippi Juvenile Justice Conference.

About Anthony “Tony” Gobar

Anthony “Tony” Gobar of Jackson, a longtime juvenile justice expert, died of a heart attack at age 53 in the summer of 2004. He was a man dedicated to improving his community, especially supporting troubled youth involved in the state’s criminal justice system.

A native of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and a graduate of Southern University, Gobar started his career in job training at a community action agency in Louisiana. He then moved to Jackson and joined the Department of Criminal Justice Planning as a Program Manager. Later, he served as a juvenile justice specialist after his division became part of the Department of Public Safety.

Herbert Terry, director of the Justice Programs Division at the Department of Public Safety, said Gobar was “one of the most professional, caring, sincere, unselfish and honest persons that I have ever worked with or known. He worked untiringly to improve the juvenile justice system in Mississippi.”

The National Coalition for Juvenile Justice in Washington, D.C., created an award in his name for people working in the juvenile justice field, and he was posthumously honored by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.

“Tony found his greatest joy in the simple things in life,” his wife, Angela, said in a news release. “He served God as a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jackson.

Tony was known for his selfless spirit and willingness to always help another person.”

This scholarship is established in loving honor of Ms. Bettye Smith Brown, a dedicated advocate for higher education and a proud native of Vicksburg. It is designed for high school seniors attending a public school and residing in Warren County, Mississippi. A $10,000 scholarship (minimum) will be awarded to two deserving high school seniors who have a strong academic record and demonstrate financial need.

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and current high school seniors attending a school in Warren County, Mississippi. They must have a GPA of at least 3.50 and be accepted as full-time undergraduates at a four-year college or university. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need, as shown by eligibility for a Pell Grant, and include a copy of the acceptance letter if available.

• Complete the application online.
• Write a well-crafted essay that shows your dedication to one or more of these values: diligence, independence, resilience, compassion, perseverance, or succeeding against the odds. Include specific examples from your life and explain how these values connect with your educational goals.
• Provide a copy of your high school transcript that demonstrates strong academic performance.
• Other Considerations: Leadership qualities, academic achievement, and overall performance will be key factors in the selection process. Additional considerations will be given to applicants with financial need and those with multiple household members attending college simultaneously.
• Selected applicants will participate in a virtual interview.

Applications are due March 27.

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status via email. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s chosen institution by August 15, provided all required documentation has been submitted,

About Bettye Smith Brown

Ms. Bettye Smith Brown was a passionate advocate for higher education and a proud native of Vicksburg. She transitioned to paradise in August 2020, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence.

Ms. Brown graduated from Rosa A. Temple High School and attended Alcorn State University. She served for 51 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She retired with distinction as a dedicated Farm Service Program Coordinator for the United States Department of Agriculture. Ms. Brown was cherished and beloved. Everyone she encountered felt uplifted by her presence, wisdom, and her beautiful smile! She was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and a wise counselor. Perhaps her most treasured role was as a wonderful mother who raised her daughters in the Christian faith and championed their education, instilling in them a respect for education, independence, kindness, and service.

Despite her limited financial resources, she ensured her daughters could attend the colleges of their choice and excel. “Nothing beats a failure, but a try” – a frequent quote of Ms. Brown’s, powerful words to live by, and we hope it is great encouragement to the scholarship applicants. She deeply understood the importance of effort and perseverance; by trying, you give yourself a chance to succeed, learn, and grow, whereas not trying guarantees no progress or success.

William W. Hunsberger, publisher of The Clarion Ledger newspaper and a board member of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, died of a heart attack in 2004. In his honor, his family and friends established the Bill Hunsberger Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to students pursuing programs at the universities attended by his three daughters. The award rotates annually among a journalism major at the University of Southern Mississippi, a journalism major at the University of Mississippi, and a political science major involved with student media at Mississippi State University.

The 2026 Scholarship will be given to a student at the University of Southern Mississippi. The scholarship awards $2,000 annually.

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Applicants must be full-time female students entering their junior or senior year of study in the designated field at the specified school for that year.
• There is no specific required GPA, but the applicant should be well-rounded and a strong scholar.

For more information and to apply, please contact the University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Journalism.

Applications are due April 15.

Notification

Applicants will be notified by their professor about the status of their application.  Scholarship funds will be distributed directly to the institution by September 30.

The Blake Coghlan Memorial Ag Scholarship was established at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to provide financial assistance to a graduating high school senior from Yazoo County or Sharkey County who plans to pursue an Agriculture or related degree at a Mississippi 2-year or 4-year college. Recipients will be chosen based on academic achievement, leadership skills, and career goals in the field of agriculture.

The award covers one academic year.

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and current high school seniors attending a Mississippi school, with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and must be accepted as full-time undergraduates at a two- or four-year college or university in Mississippi.

• Applicants are required to have at least a 2.5 GPA.
• A graduating senior from any high school in Mississippi.
• Applicants must major in Agriculture or related degree programs.
• Applicant must submit at least two letters of recommendation, either from a teacher, counselor, principal, or others (one recommendation must be from a school representative).
• Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay explaining their reasons for pursuing a career in agriculture.

 Applications are Due April 15

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status via email. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s chosen institution by August 15, provided all required documentation has been submitted.

About Blake Coghlan

19-year-old Blake Coghlan dreamed of building the best farm in the Delta.

He grew up in Holly Bluff, MS, in a fourth-generation Mississippi farm family. Blake was a promising young farmer with a passion for agriculture. He was an exceptional person with great potential. He was genuinely authentic, humble, easy-going, and loved by everyone he met. He attended Mississippi Delta Community College to pursue an Ag Science degree and planned to continue his education at Mississippi State University. Blake’s dream was to establish the top farm in the Delta.

The Blake Coghlan Memorial Ag Scholarship Fund was established to encourage young people who share his passion for farming and agriculture

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Contact Madison Central High School for guidelines and applications.

Information coming soon.

Purpose and Scholarship Information

The JXN Water Scholarship was established at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to provide financial assistance to high school seniors attending a public school in Hinds County, interested in pursuing a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) disciplines that could lead to a career in water and wastewater operations and management.

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applications are open to seniors currently enrolled at a Jackson Public School District High School, Hinds County School District High School, and Clinton High School who will attend Hinds Community College (any campus in Hinds County) or Jackson State University. Four students will be selected to receive an award of $2,500. The award is for a period of one year.

• Applicants must currently be enrolled in a high school within Jackson Public School District, Hinds County Public School District, or Clinton High School.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 with substantial coursework in STEM
• Provide a transcript.
• Ability to apply and gain admission to any campus of Hinds Community College in Hinds County or Jackson State University.
• Two letters of recommendation are required: one from a teacher who taught the applicant for at least one semester in a STEM subject, and one from an unrelated adult who knows the applicant’s character.
• Applicant must provide a statement explaining why you chose the specific field of study and submit a 500-word essay from one of the following questions.
  1. Restoring Public Trust in Water: In communities that have faced water challenges, trust in the water system can be difficult to rebuild. What strategies or initiatives do you think would help restore confidence in Jackson’s water response?
  2. Water Awareness Through social media: If you were to design a social media campaign to help people better understand their water system, what would it look like? What message would you share, and how would you make it engaging for your community?
  3. Partnering for Safe Water: If you had the chance, how would you work with JXN Water, city officials, and community groups to ensure everyone has access to safe, clean water? Describe a project you would create and why it would be important.
  4. The Future of Water in Jackson: What improvements do you hope to see in Jackson’s water system over the next 10 years? If you were in charge, what would your first priority be, and why?

Applications are due April 15.

Notification

Applicants will receive email notification about their application status by May 15. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s designated institution by August 15, as long as all necessary documentation is submitted.

About JXN Water

Coming on board as the interim third-party manager of the City of Jackson’s water system, Ted Henifin knew he needed to think upstream about the water workforce pipeline. Henifin saw the water system was severely understaffed and struggled with hiring due to a lack of qualified candidates. To help address this challenge, the JXN Water Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi was created. The scholarship will help ensure more properly trained personnel fill those positions in the future.

Contact the JROTC Department at Jackson Public Schools for guidelines and applications.

Information coming soon.

Contact Madison Central High School for guidelines and applications.

Contact Richland High School for guidelines and applications.

Purpose and Scholarship Information

The Samuel Eric Storm Memorial Scholarship was established at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an advanced degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy. The scholarship award is for one academic year and amounts to $2,500. 

Applicant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Resident of Mississippi: Must have lived in Mississippi for the past five years.
• Classification of Major: Must be a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy.
• Enrollment Status: Must be accepted or currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited school, intending to become a licensed Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Therapist. Programs outside of Mississippi are eligible.
• Complete Application: Submit a completed application with supporting documentation.
• Letters of Recommendation: Include two letters of recommendation. The recommendations can be based on observation, shadowing, or similar hours related to your program of study. These can include copies of evaluation forms submitted with your school application or traditional recommendation letters.
• Additional considerations: Leadership qualities, academic achievements, and career plans will also be key factors in the selection process.
• Write a statement explaining why you chose the specific field of study and submit a 500-word essay from one of the following questions.

Applications are due March 31.

Notification

Applicants will receive email notification about their application status by May 15. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the applicant’s designated institution by August 15, provided all required documentation is submitted.

About Samuel Eric Storm

Samuel Eric Storm of Madison was a dedicated physical therapist with a strong commitment to his patients and community. Born in Brookhaven, MS, Eric proudly graduated from Brookhaven High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School for Health-Related Professions. His career started at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center and advanced through positions at Forrest General Hospital and St. Dominic’s Hospital before he co-founded Genesis Physical Therapy Clinic in 1993.

Eric thrived in the outpatient setting, where he was able to build long-term relationships with his patients. He found great satisfaction in guiding patients toward their therapy goals and often said that his patients enriched his life as much as he enriched theirs. Over 30 years, Genesis Physical Therapy grew, opening multiple clinics across central Mississippi. Eric retired as a partner in 2023, but his legacy continues through the ongoing success of the business.

Eric’s passion for mentorship shone through as he welcomed students to observe and intern at his clinic, offering guidance and encouragement to those considering a career in health-related fields. A humble man of deep faith, Eric believed his career was a calling from Christ. He viewed his work as a ministry, living with integrity and showing love and encouragement in all his interactions-whether with patients, colleagues, or community members. His dedication extended to his church family at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where he served as a teacher, deacon, and missions team member.

Eric lived in Madison, MS, with his wife Kathy and their two children, Sydney and Sam. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend, whose loyalty and faith left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. After his courageous battle with cancer, Eric passed away in April 2024. To honor his legacy, family and friends established the Samuel “Eric” Storm Scholarship Fund, supporting graduate students pursuing degrees in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17

Learn more about the Woodward Hines Education Foundation here. Information coming soon.