Are you a graduating HCPSS senior looking for financial support for college? Bright Minds is excited to announce that scholarship applications for HCPSS seniors are now open! Check out the list of available scholarships below and apply today to take the next step toward your future!
We are now accepting applications for the below scholarships!
Vision Wealth Our Kids Our Future – All HCPSS High Schools
This Vision Wealth Our Kids Our Future scholarship was established by Vision Wealth Partners, a local wealth management firm founded by three HCPSS graduates and long-time Howard County residents. These graduates remain extremely involved in the local community and this scholarship is a way for them to give back to the Howard County community. Two students will be awarded $10,000 scholarships to be paid out over 4 years ($2500 per year).
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 15
Charlotte Spitalnic Memorial Scholarship – Centennial High School
The Spitalnic family established the Charlotte Spitalnic Memorial Scholarship in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of their daughter Charlotte, a 9th grader at Centennial High School. The $1500 scholarship will support college access for two students annually who embody Charlotte’s values, commitment to helping others, and demonstrated passion for choir and/or theater.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 6 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Emily Scott Memorial Scholarship – Centennial High School
The Scott Family established the Emily Scott Memorial Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of their special needs daughter Emily, a 2018 graduate of Centennial High School (“CHS”) in Howard County. The scholarship pays tribute to Emily’s spirit of kindness and provides four $2500 awards to Howard County students who have demonstrated acceptance and kindness to others.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 15 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Paris R. Buckman Memorial Scholarship – Mount Hebron High School
The Paris R. Buckman Memorial Scholarship was established by the Buckman Family to honor the life and legacy of Paris Buckman, a 2021 Mt. Hebron High School graduate and Lancers Dance Team member. The $2500 scholarship supports Mt. Hebron High School graduates participating in the Lancers Dance Team and demonstrating kindness for others, and passion and perseverance in pursuing their dreams.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 6 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Clara Heiliger Memorial Scholarship – Oakland Mills High School
The Clara Heiliger Memorial Scholarship was established by Chris & Corinne Heiliger to honor their daughter who died in 2014 and would have attended Oakland Mills High School like her 3 sisters. The $1,000 scholarship supports high school seniors graduating from Oakland Mills who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in the medical or mental health field, and who have shown kindness, care and integrity in how they contribute to their communities.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 1 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
David Nesbitt Memorial Scholarship – Wilde Lake High School
The David Nesbitt Memorial Scholarship was established by the Nesbitt Family to honor David Nesbitt, a beloved educator, soccer coach, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and community member. The $1,000 scholarship will support a high school senior graduating from Wilde Lake High School who demonstrates good sportsmanship – including commitment, determination, ethical behavior, teamwork, respect, and encouragement of others – both on and off the field.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 15 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Laura E. Wallen Memorial Scholarship – Wilde Lake High School
The Wallen Family established the Laura E. Wallen Memorial Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of Wilde Lake High School social studies teacher, Laura Wallen. This scholarship embodies Wallen’s values and her belief in the power and potential of students. The $2500 scholarship helps Wilde Lake High School 1-2 graduates who plan to major in one of the social sciences at a two- or four-year institution.
APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP – Due April 15 | DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
We also invite you to support one of our scholarships that are awarded each year to students that are nominated by school system staff and teachers:
Academy of Finance Scholarship
The HCPSS Academy of Finance (AOF) introduces students to career opportunities in the business and financial services industries and, in the process, equips them to make sound postsecondary and career choices. The AOF Scholarship was established to encourage students and help make their postsecondary education more financially accessible. Students who have successfully completed the program and demonstrated outstanding engagement and performance are eligible to receive awards of up to $1,000.
DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Braden Zanski & Hailey Zanski-Quinn Memorial Scholarship
The family of Braden Zanski and Hailey Zanski-Quinn established the Braden Zanski and Hailey Zanski-Quinn Memorial Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of their daughter and son who passed away suddenly on January 14, 2024. A $2500 scholarship honoring Hailey supports a Howard County high school student who demonstrates a passion for embracing acceptance and helping others. A $2500 scholarship honoring Braden supports students in the HCPSS automotive academy who demonstrate a passion and dedication in the program.
DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Matthew Murphy Memorial Scholarship
The Murphy family established the Matthew Murphy Memorial Scholarship in 2021 to honor the life and legacy of their son Matthew, a 2020 graduate of Glenelg High School. This $1200 scholarship seeks to promote mental health awareness and pay tribute to Matthews’s love of engineering and empathy for others by “surprise recognizing” a student who is interested in pursuing an engineering career and has persevered through adversity.
DONATE TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
