James Lee Smith Memorial Scholarship Application Requirements
The Inspiration Church, James Lee Smith Memorial Scholarship Committee would like to award students for their perseverance and accomplishments, by providing scholarships to students who face life challenges.
The Committee will award a one-time scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a qualified high school or college student(s) who has been accepted to or enrolled in a two- or four-year institution. Our goal is to promote the academic achievement required to pursue careers in disciplines, including, but not limited to science, technology, engineering, medicine, law, business, education, and creative Arts.
If selected, the award recipient will be required to submit a photo, and attend The Inspiration Church, 2900 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45405 on Sunday, August 17, 2025, 11 AM to participate in the award announcement/presentation.
To be eligible for consideration, a scholarship applicant must:
Be a U.S. citizen and a member of The Inspiration Church (or family is a member).
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale (School Transcript Required) .
Demonstrate a positive community involvement and leadership (Resume Required).
Submit a FULL two-page, double space (12-point font) grammatically correct essay on overcoming a challenge or difficulty (Word Format or PDF Format required).
Provide three letters of reference (Letters Required).
Not be related to a James Lee Smith Scholarship Fund Committee member or Selection Official.
Not been a prior awardee of the JLS Scholarship.
Be accepted to a college or university with letter provided (Letter of Acceptance from School required).
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Mandatory documentation (Upload with application)
Complete Scholarship on-line application.
Full Two-page double spaced grammatically correct essay on overcoming a challenge or difficulty.
Official transcript confirming a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Letter of Acceptance from a college or university.
Three letters of reference.
A current resume to include documented community service involvement and leadership.
Please submit the completed scholarship packet online (link below) no later than Midnight (EDT), Monday, July 14, 2025, with all appropriate documentation per instructions above:
https://forms.gle/nCHWi2rgtZX3ug9C6
Applications will be evaluated based on the requirements stated above. Applications that do not submit mandatory documentation will be rejected without further review.
E. Jean Smith
JLS SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
2025
