Main header image
C. Jackson Grayson Scholarship
Deadline to apply: December 13, 2024 3:00 pm CT

The application will close December 13, 2024 3:00 pm CT or when 100 applications are received, whichever comes first.

APQC has established a scholarship program to assist high school seniors from Houston, TX area counties who are planning to continue their education at a four-year college or university.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants to the C. Jackson Grayson Scholarship must:

  • Be residents of the following counties in the Houston, TX area:
    • Brazoria County
    • Fort Bend County
    • Galveston County
    • Harris County
    • Montgomery County
    • Waller County
  • Be current high school seniors or 2024 graduates* from a high school in one of the eligible counties listed above
    *2024 graduates must be taking a gap year or deferring college enrollment to be eligible
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
  • Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the first time at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire 2025-26 academic year
  • Employees of APQC and their family members are ineligible

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Financial need*
  • Academic record
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • A statement of career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances.

*Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Selection of ten (10) finalists is made by Scholarship America. In addition to the above criteria, the Sponsor selection committee will also consider each finalist’s response to one of the following short essay topics (Scholarship America will not evaluate these responses when selecting finalists):

  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  • Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $25,000 award. Up to four (4) awards will be granted.

Awards are renewable up to three (3) additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of required GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 GPA scale and full-time enrollment.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Recipients may also receive internship opportunities with APQC.

Notification

All applicants will be notified by the end of February.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of APQC. Payment is made in one installment in August.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately.

  • A copy of the most recently filed 1040 tax form (Please black out SSN).

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

APQC has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.