Richard and Elizabeth Dean Merit Scholarship
ListedScholarship
- Award
- Two preferred $5,000-per-year scholarships for up to four consecutive years, paid to the institution for allowed educational expenses. Renewal requires 3.25 GPA and review/approval of an official transcript received by July 1 of each renewal year, or the award is forfeited.
- Deadline
- Portal opens November 1, 2026. Application and all materials due January 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Time.
- How to apply
- Apply through DAR Academic Works with a career-objectives personal statement up to 1,000 words, transcript (unofficial initially), one-page activities/awards/service/work resume, citizenship proof and two to four nonrelative recommendation letters written within the last year, signed and containing contact details. The applicant uploads every letter; recommenders cannot submit directly or through confidential third-party systems. All documents must be typed; conceal all photographs and Social Security numbers. A photograph or expired passport disqualifies. No generative AI or writing by others. Winners supply official transcripts and acceptance form. The FAQ permits files up to 5 MB and requires transcript pages combined into one file. Do not reuse recommendations addressed to another college, program or job. Confirm homeschool transcript coverage and personal-statement length: the FAQ conflicts with the checklist and portal instructions.
- What you'll need
- A separate scholarship application
- Recommendations
- An essay
- Who can apply
- Graduating high school students with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) who will major in American Studies (American history, government, literature, art history, music or culture) at an accredited U.S. institution. DAR scholarships require U.S. citizenship.
- Good to know
- Selection is based on academic merit only. No DAR membership or chapter sponsor required. Only one DAR scholarship per award cycle. Funds cover institution-allowed tuition/fees, room/board, books and other educational expenses; unused funds are returned. Awards are issued in August while enrolled and cannot be deferred for a gap year. Military academies unable to accept restricted awards are ineligible.
- Details
- HistoryCivicsU.S. citizens onlyNo AI assistance allowed