Scholarship Program

Scholarship Process

Replica of Shallop, Elizabeth Tilley

In an effort to preserve the history of our Mayflower Ancestors through genealogy, historical research, and education, the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan has created a scholarship program. This program will provide educational assistance to both our Junior and General members up to age 26, who are planning to attend an accredited two or four-year degree, trade school, or certificate program.

Scholarship Awards

There will be a maximum of three awards per academic year: one $3,000 scholarship, one $2,000 scholarship, and one $1,000 scholarship -- all scholarships are payable directly to the institution of higher education. However, the Committee reserves the right to not award any scholarships if it is determined that there are no qualified entries. All decisions by the Committee are final.

Deadline for Submission

This year's application materials must be received by May 5, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Scholarship applicants must be no less than high school seniors at the time of application.
  2. Scholarship applicants must be either a General Member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan or a Junior Member of said Society. There are no restrictions regarding the state of residence of the applicant (i.e. the Junior Member or General Member).
  3. Scholarship applicants must have confirmed plans to attend a university, college or trade school (provide a copy of letter of acceptance). The applicant may not have a parent, grandparent, sibling, or sponsor serving on the committee that would evaluate the application.

Application Process

Download the fillable Scholarship Application form. Send the completed form with any attachments by email to Cindy Kaczmarczyk.

Scholarships Awarded in 2024

Three new scholarships were announced at the Fall Compact Meeting in Frankenmuth, on November 9, 2024.

In first place was Connor Curtis, winner of the $3,000 scholarship. Connor is from Livonia, a freshman at Michigan State, and a member of the Honors College. Connor plans to earn a BS in data science. Connor attended our fall meeting and read his winning essay to the attendees. (See photo)

Tanner Liptow, who was awarded the $2,000 second place scholarship. A senior at Lawrence Tech; Tanner is from Livonia, and a past SMDM scholarship recipient. Tanner will graduate in the Spring of 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Amanda Gates received the $1,000 third place scholarship. Amanda is from Northville and a freshman at Michigan State, majoring in Human Biology.

All three recipients were profiled in our Fall 2024 Newsletter.

Scholarship Essay for 2025

The application will include a written essay in three parts:

  1. Who is/are your Mayflower passenger ancestors?
  2. What were some of your ancestor's known contributions to the early colony, or how do you imagine he/she may have contributed to the success of the colony? (You may focus on just one ancestor.)
  3. Considering the role of religion and the presence of women, how were the Mayflower pilgrims and Plymouth Colony different from earlier colonies such as Jamestown? Do you think the presence of families contributed to or hindered the success of the colony? Please write a few sentences expanding your thoughts on the inclusion of women and children in the fledging colony.

Suggestions for researching are to interview a relative who is also a Mayflower descendant; read a Mayflower history such as Nathaniel Philbrick’s ‘Mayflower…Voyage, Community, War,’ ‘Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims in Plymouth’ by Edward Winslow, or William Bradford’s ‘Of Plymouth Plantation’. Look up passenger profiles on the mayflowersociety.org, mayflowerhistory.com or pilgrimhall.org.

 

Format: The essay must have a cover page with the title of the essay, the date, and the name of the applicant on it. The essay must include a bibliography of cited sources and which resources they consulted during their research; also, names of family members who they interviewed in writing this essay.

 

Important Note: This essay is to be in your own words. Do not incorporate text from secondary sources in your essay unless you properly cite them with footnotes and a bibliography. The Applicant must write at least one paragraph explaining how being awarded one of these scholarships will help him/her attain their career goals. Two letters from educators must be submitted along with the essay, stating they have read the essay and have given their critique of its contents. Judging Criteria for judging all Scholarship Applications equals 100 points with a minimum score of 60 points to qualify. Items and points, all information must be provided as specified and complete:

  1. Application Preparation and Submission: 5 points
  2. Essay: 95 points, allocated as follows:
    • How well the applicant has organized the content of their essay: 15 points
    • How correct and clear the facts and ideas presented in the essay are: 20 points
    • How good the applicant's grammar is: 15 points
    • How correct the applicant's spelling is: 15 points
    • The applicant's academic achievements: 15 points
    • How well the applicant has provided references: 10 points
    • How well the applicant has explained in a paragraph how the scholarship will help them to achieve their career goals: 5 points