In the spring of her freshman year at Nova High School in Davie, Florida, Rebecca “Becca” Kirtman launched a dress drive to help classmates who could not afford formal wear for school events. Becca was passionate, bright, and fun-loving. She believed no student should miss a meaningful school event because of financial hardship.

By the end of her sophomore year, she had personally collected and donated more than 250 dresses, helping hundreds of students throughout her community attend homecomings and proms with pride and confidence.

Becca was a 16-year-old cheerleader, honor student, and deeply caring friend. On August 20, 2003, she tragically passed away in an automobile accident.

To continue her vision, Becca’s Closet was founded as a volunteer-led national nonprofit. For 23 years, chapters across the United States have collected and donated thousands of dresses to high school students in need.

Becca’s Closet Scholarships honor Rebecca’s legacy by recognizing other young leaders who are making a positive difference in their communities.

Becca’s Closet awards multiple scholarships each year. We offer three types of non-renewable scholarships to recognize and support male and female high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional, meaningful, and impactful community service during high school.

The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage recipients to continue serving others throughout their lives—and to inspire their peers to make a lasting difference as well.

Becca's Closet Scholarships are nationally competitive. We look for applicants whose community service is authentic, sustained, and deeply meaningful - efforts that have truly made a difference and continue to inspire others.

You may apply for only ONE of the scholarships.

You can choose to apply online or to submit a paper application by mail. Download our paper application here.

Please review the scholarship descriptions below carefully to determine which scholarship opportunity best matches your eligibility.

Be sure to follow all instructions and submit a complete application no later than the postmarked deadline of March, 15th, 2026.

PLEASE APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE SCHOLARSHIP

Apply for this if you have financial need and have performed outstanding service to the community through any organization or your own project:
SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
(Need-based, involvement with any service project!)
Award: Varies
Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Graduating high school senior in the United States
• Minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA (4.0 scale)
• Demonstrated financial need
  (must submit full 2026–2027 FAFSA Submission Summary showing SAI)
• Outstanding, documented volunteer service benefiting the community
• Will attend a regionally accredited 2- or 4-year college, university, or technical/vocational school in Summer/Fall 2026

Apply for this if you've been involved with Becca's Closet:
BECCA’S CLOSET INVOLVEMENT (with Becca's Closet) SCHOLARSHIP
(Requires verified involvement in a Becca’s Closet chapter or supporting affiliated organization)
Minimum Award: $1,000
Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident         
• Graduating high school senior in the United States
• Minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA (4.0 scale)
• Outstanding, documented contribution to the local community through the creation of or involvement in a Becca’s Closet chapter (or a supporting affiliated organization), with plans in place for the chapter to continue after graduation
• Will attend a regionally accredited 2- or 4-year college, university, or technical school in Summer/Fall 2026

Apply for this if you're a Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County student who has been involved with Becca's Closet:
SOUTH FLORIDA BECCA’S CLOSET INVOLVEMENT (with Becca's Closet) SCHOLARSHIP
(Requires verified involvement in a Becca’s Closet chapter or supporting organization)
Minimum Award: $1,000
Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident         
• Graduating high school senior in Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach County, Florida
• Minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA (4.0 scale)
• Outstanding, documented contribution to the local community through the creation of or involvement in a Becca’s Closet chapter (or a supporting organization)
• Will attend a regionally accredited 2- or 4-year college, university, or technical/vocational school in Summer/Fall 2026

ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED!

Your complete application must include the following:

• Completed scholarship application form
• Two (2) letters of recommendation on official letterhead  
  1. 1 from an adult sponsor/representative of nonprofit organization, on official letterhead detailing the applicant's involvement and contributions. 
  2. (2) 1 from a school staff member on official letterhead describing the student's character, achievements, projects, and community involvement.
     *IMPORTANT: Recommender may not be a relative/parent/guardian of the applicant!
     *IMPORTANT: Adult sponsor and/or faculty member will be contacted for confirmation and additional information.
• Official high school transcript, with school seal on it.
• Original Essay (instructions are below)
• *Verification of financial need, required only for Spirit of Community Scholarship applicants: Submit full 2026-2027 FAFSA Submission Summary showing SAI

Applicants are encouraged to keep a personal copy of all submitted materials.

Submit a new, original essay of 500-words or more, written specifically for the Becca's Closet Scholarship. Your essay must address the prompt and questioins thoroughly and reflect your authentic voice and experiences.

Please do not submit a reused or generic essay. We value originality and can easily recognize when an essay is personal and unique. Think of this as your opportunity to shine. Your essay is your personal interview!

Essay Guidelines:

• Write a 500-word (or more) essay.
• If entering your essay here, use the box below. 
• If your essay is on a separate page, upload it in the section provided.
• If printing your essay, use 11- or 12-point font size.
• If printing your essay, include your name at the top of each page.
• If printing your essay, Number each page.

Essay Prompt:
"Rebecca Kirtman was committed to her community. She identified a need and devised a way to address it. Describe in detail the need that you addressed in your community. Help us to understand the impact you personally have had on your community". 

• What inspired you to get involved?
• What you did and your specific role?
• How have your efforts benefitted others or your community?
• How has the experience has influenced your personal growth?
• How you plan to continue serving your community in the future?

All of the information that I/we have provided in this Application is true and complete to the best of my/our knowledge. I certify that I am currently enrolled and in good standing as a high school senior, and applying for enrollment to a two- or four-year regionally accredited college, university or vocational/technical school for the coming academic year and am eligible to receive this Scholarship.

I/we grant Becca’s Closet the right to use any information contained in the Application for the purpose of promoting and publicizing Becca’s Closet and the scholarship program only limited as may be required or permitted by law. I/we understand that this Application will not be returned.

APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN MARCH 15TH, 2026!

Late, incomplete, or emailed applications will not be accepted. No exceptions!