Colorado Society of Mayflower Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Colorado Society of Mayflower
Overview
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) administers a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors who can trace lineage to a Mayflower passenger and who plan to enroll in either a four-year college/university or a two-year community college. In 2024 GSMD introduced an additional Native American Scholarship specifically for graduating seniors who can document descent from a Native American ancestor.
Application timeline
- The 2025 scholarship application period is closed.
- The 2026 application window will be open from January 5 through March 2.
Scholarships awarded
GSMD will award three high-school-senior scholarships in the amounts of $6,000, $5,000, and $4,000. In addition, the Mary Chilton Winslow Scholarship in the amount of $2,400 will be granted. All awards are intended for graduating seniors who meet the ancestry and enrollment requirements described below.
Who is eligible
To be considered, applicants must:
- Be a high school senior at the time of application; and
- Be a Mayflower descendant; and
- Have plans to enroll at a four-year college/university or a two-year community college for the upcoming academic year.
Ancestry and membership documentation
Applicants must provide:
- The name(s) of the Mayflower ancestor(s) through whom they descend; and
- A valid GSMD membership number belonging to the applicant or to a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. That GSMD member must be active — not deceased, resigned, or dropped.
Application components and additional requirements
Each applicant must submit all of the following:
- A completed application form;
- An essay as specified on the application;
- A recent official or unofficial high school transcript; and
- Contact names and email addresses for two recommenders: one teacher and one community member. GSMD will send each of these recommenders a “Letter of Recommendation” form to complete.
Selection considerations
In keeping with the Mayflower settlers’ spirit of seeking improvement through new opportunities, priority consideration may be given to candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to personal growth or self-improvement.
Important: incomplete applications
Failure to provide required documents or to have recommenders complete and return the recommendation forms will result in disqualification from consideration.