2026 Swing Hard For Soldiers Scholarship Program Application

Swing Hard For Soldiers Scholarship Program

Presented by the Kelly Gibson Foundation &

Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust

Due October 18, 2026
OVERVIEW

The Kelly Gibson Foundation, in partnership with the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, announces the 2026 Swing Hard For Soldiers Scholarship Program. Under the program, scholarships will be awarded to high school juniors through 5th year students in college as of Fall 2026. Applications are evaluated based on academics, community involvement, financial need and essay responses.

The program is an equal opportunity scholarship program and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, gender, religion or ethnic origin.

If you have previously received a scholarship, that will be taken into consideration during the selection process.

If a scholarship is awarded, it will be the student’s responsibility to submit their student ID number and college information to the Kelly Gibson Foundation.

Scholarships must be redeemed with in 3 years of being awarded - Nov. 6, 2029.

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
- Under the program, scholarships will be awarded to high school juniors as of Fall 2026 through 5th year students in college (cannot be older than 22 years old).
- Applicants must be a child or grandchild of someone who has served or is currently serving in either the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, or Coast Guard.
- Applicants must be a resident of the following Parishes in Louisiana: Ascension, Assumption, East Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, Saint Charles, Saint Helena, Saint James, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge Parishes.
- Or a resident of the following Counties in Mississippi: Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River Counties.
- Applicants have a record of volunteerism in the community and participation in extracurricular school activities.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (on 4.0 scale), and plan to attend a 2 or 4-year college or technical school.
- If selected to receive a scholarship, the recipient must be present at the Swing Hard for Soldiers Golf Tournament on Friday, November 6th, 2026 by 4:00PM. The scholarship presentation will be held at Tchefuncta Country Club on 2 Country Club Park, Covington, LA, 70433.
RESUME

Please attach an activity log or resume where asked to within the application form. Please include your name on it. Your document should include: any academic honors or awards you have received, extracurricular activities, school related and non-school related volunteer activities, and any leadership positions within these activities and in the community.

ESSAY REQUIREMENT

Please attach a one page document with your name at the top where asked to within the application form. Your document should have your responses to both prompts in an essay format.

1.) What does “service” mean to you after growing up in a military family? Use one specific volunteer experience to show how that meaning has played out in your own life—not only in a parent’s career.

2.) If you could share one message with civilians about the realities of life in a military family, what would it be, and why is that understanding important to you?

DEADLINE

Applications must be received by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026 at 11:59PM. No exceptions. If you are having trouble with the online form, please reach out to Bryan Day at bryan@thekellygibsonfoundation.org. You will receive confirmation from Jotform that your application has been recorded.

Swing Hard For Soldiers Scholarship Program

2026 Application
How did you hear about the Swing Hard For Soldiers Scholarship Program?
Personal Information
Name:

First NameLast Name
Date of Birth:

MonthDayYear
Gender
Age as of Nov. 6, 2026
Phone Number:

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail Address:
example@example.com
Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Name of Family Member who is Active, Retired, or Deceased Military: First Name* Last Name*
Branch of Service: Branch of Service*
Relation to Applicant: Relation*

Educational Background
Student Classification as of Fall 2026
Name of High School You Attend/Attended
What College Do/Will You Attend
If Decided
List Your Major(s)
If Currently Enrolled or Decided
Counselor's Email Address
example@example.com

Please Enter Your Best Composite Score for ACT/SAT and current GPA

Rows	GPA	SAT Score	ACT Score
#

Submit Resume or Activity Sheet:

Browse Files
Include: Academic honors or awards you have received, Extracurricular activities, School related volunteer activities and leadership roles, Non-school sponsored volunteer activities in the community. Please submit in PDF Format. Cancelof
Submit Essay - Upload 1 Page Only With Your Name At The Top In PDF Format:

Browse Files
Please answer the 2 following essay prompts: 1.) What does “service” mean to you after growing up in a military family? Use one specific volunteer experience to show how that meaning has played out in your own life—not only in a parent’s career. 2.) If you could share one message with civilians about the realities of life in a military family, what would it be, and why is that understanding important to you? Cancelof

Application Submission
STATEMENT OF ACCURACY FOR STUDENTS

By signing & submitting below, I agree to the following statements.

I hereby affirm that all the above stated information provided by me is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I also consent that if chosen as a scholarship winner my picture will be taken and used to promote the scholarship program. (Winner may waive photo due to unusual or compelling circumstances). I hereby understand that if chosen as a scholarship winner, according to the Swing Hard for Soldiers Scholarship Program policy, I must be present at the Swing Hard For Soldiers golf tournament on Friday, November 6, 2026 by 4pm at Tchefuncta Country Club (2 Country Club Park, Covington, LA, 70433) to receive my scholarship award. I hereby understand that if chosen as a scholarship winner, according to the scholarship program’s policy, it is my responsibility to remit to the Kelly Gibson Foundation the appropriate information for my scholarship to be paid directly to my educational institution. I hereby understand I will not submit this application without all required attachments and supporting information.

Incomplete applications or submissions that do not meet eligibility criteria will not be considered. The scholarship committee reserves the right to review and amend the scholarship criteria.
Signature
Should be Empty: