The Will McLean Foundation offers two annual college scholarships.
The 2023 amount offered by the Foundation start at $3000.00 for the first year, split between first and second semesters. The amounts decrease with each year of attendance. Students will be provided with a breakdown upon award of the scholarship.
The criteria for awards are as follows:
1) Students must be in good standing academically.
2) Students must display musical talent.
3) The student should be prepared to provide a recorded video presentation to the awards committee.
4) Students with a connection to the folk music and folklore of Florida are the target audience.
5) Students must be pursuing a degree that has positive social significance and “gives” back to the state. Pursuit of a degree in music is not an absolute. All other degrees will be given consideration by the committee.
6) Volunteering in the past is a plus and future volunteer hours are a requirement to maintain the scholarship.
7) The Scholarship committee will meet and award scholarships just prior to the annual Florida Folk Festival. Applications need to be completed and returned no later than May 10th. Finalists should expect a personal interview by Zoom or another online program before May 15thh. They will be notified of their acceptance by May 20th
8) Applicants are asked to go to the Will McLean Foundation website and fill out the scholarship JotForm. They will be contacted for any follow-up information needed to complete their application.
The scholarships offered by the Will McLean Foundation span the entire four years of a student’s academic career. To maintain the scholarship the following criteria are required:
1) Maintain a 3.0 overall GPA
2) School attendance in compliance with the requirements of the college or university’s attendance policies.
3) Students must provide the committee with grade transcripts at the end of each semester so the following semester’s check can be sent to the school.
4) Students will be required to do a minimum of twenty (20) hours of volunteering per year at folk festivals or presentations throughout the state of Florida. They will be provided with a list of possible venues and these hours will be monitored by onsite volunteers of the Will McLean Foundation. Music camps that offer programs for youth may also be considered for meeting this commitment.
Questions and clarification about the program may be directed to: Cynthia Ryalls-Clephane at the email address scholarship@willmclean.com.