First in Family Scholarship
The First in Family Scholarship, established in 2019, recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who are the first in their family to be attending college. Our school namesake, Maynard H. Jackson, Jr., believed in the value of learning and spent his life in the service of Atlanta youth and families. Maynard H. Jackson High School PTSA is honoring his memory by funding a scholarship for students who will be the first in their families to take on the mantle of higher learning.
The first two scholarship recipients were Niya Anderson and Jamaceo Rhodes, Class of 2020.
Annual scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors. The amount of the awards and number of scholarships are determined by the approved annual PTSA budget, the collaboration of the Scholarship Committee, fundraising efforts, and the current MJHS PTSA. Recipients are chosen by the PTSA Scholarship Committee using eligibility requirements established by the committee and approved by the MJHS PTSA board.
Please read below to find out the details, requirements, and deadlines before applying.
The deadline to apply is Monday, March 20, 2022.
Questions can be directed to the scholarship committee or the counseling office.
You must be accepted into an accredited four-year college.
You must be the first in your immediate family to be attending college.
You must demonstrate financial need (as determined by eligibility for free or reduced lunch). The Committee will verify with a senior counselor while maintaining student confidentiality.
You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 (at the end of the first semester of senior year).
You must be a resident of the City of Atlanta.
You must be a current student at Maynard H. Jackson High School.
Option 1
“In what tangible ways will this scholarship assist you in being the first in your family to attend college?”
Option 2
After reading the Maynard Jackson Eyes on the Prize II Interviews (Question 1), "discuss how higher education will allow you to bring needed change to your community and/or your family."
Please Read! Select one of the two options above for your 500-word, typed essay. Format essay as single-spaced in 12 pt—Arial font. (Leave out any personally identifiable information from your essay). Please save the document as a PDF and upload it with your application. (At the end of the application, you will be able to upload files.)
Complete the First in Family Scholarship application online and submit the following by the deadline:
a letter of reference written by a school official (i.e. counselor, teacher, coach, etc.) emailed directly to committee *
a copy of your college acceptance letter (upload with the scholarship application) *
an academic transcript or grade verification form from your MJHS counselor *
(these will be requested by the committee to the MJHS office once you have applied for the scholarship)
a 500-word, typed essay addressing one of the prompts below. (See the requirements below.) (upload with the scholarship application)*
Preference is given to students with mid-range academic performance (2.8 to 3.4)
Preference is given to students involved within the community (their neighborhood, MJHS, other organizations, etc.)
Preference is given to students with demonstrated leadership potential.
All materials must be submitted by Sunday, March 20, 2022.
THREE scholarships of $1,000 each have been approved for the 2021-2022 school year.
Recipients will be notified by April 12, 2022.
Funds must be awarded by June 30, 2022.
Please note that awards can only be paid directly to College Bursar’s Office.