GJS Scholarship Application for Prior Recipients

(for returning GJ Scholars — undergraduate and post-graduate)

Application Deadline

Fully completed application is due no later than March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

GJS Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

1. You are a prior Gaines-Jones scholarship recipient applying for additional funding.
2. And, you are currently enrolling as an undergraduate or post-graduate student this year.
3. Your application is complete, including required fields and uploads, and contact info such as: cell phone, email address, and current mailing address.

GJS Selection Committee Criteria

1. Continued need for financial aid.
2. College transcript shows upward trend in grades and course.
3. Personal Essay is original, well-written, and on-topic.
4. Grammar, spelling, and updated information is important.

Annual Scholarship Details

• Scholarship awards are typically between $500 to $2,000, increasing each academic year.
• Scholarships do not automatically renew — prior recipients may reapply each year of subsequent enrollment.
• Funds are sent directly to your school’s financial aid office to be applied to your student account.


Before you begin, write your Personal Essay

Your personal essay is vital to determining your scholarship eligibility, by demonstrating writing skills and the ability to express yourself in a concise manner. (Want some writing tips? See our College Essay Writing Tips here.)

• Write your Personal Essay on the topic below (400-600 words).
• Have your essay proofread for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and structure. 
• Save your Personal Essay in PDF or Word format for upload.

TOPIC: If you could go back, what advice would you give your 16-year old self to be better prepared for the challenges of college, and why?

GJS Application for Prior Scholarship Recipients

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

– Step 1 of 8

Choice Letter Employment

GJS Application for Prior Scholarship Recipients

(for returning GJ Scholars — undergraduate and post-graduate)

Before You Start:
Gather all your required uploadable documents (PDF, PNG, JPG, and Word doc accepted) such as: 
• your current portrait photo
• college transcript (unofficial okay)
• your personal essay
• college financial aid award letter/info

To move forward in the application:
1. Complete all required fields (asterisk* means required).
2. Click Continue.
3. You can Save and Return Later if you need to take a break. Save the link provided — you will need it to resume. When you resume, your entries will be saved, but you must re-upload any documents previously uploaded.

Application Deadline:
Fully completed application is due no later than March 15, 2026 at 11:59PM Pacific time.

Confirm the following: *

• I have read the above information, and confirm that I understand and meet all the application eligibility requirements.

ContinueSave and Resume Later

Student Information

Last Name *

Middle

First Name *

Current Mailing Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Email *

Provide a long-term email, not a school one that can expire.

Student Cell Phone Number *

Home Phone Number

$ Total 2025 Student Annual Income *

Include wages or other taxable income.

College Student ID Number *

ContinueSave and Resume Later

Parent/Household Information

Has Your Parent/Guardian Information Changed from Last Year? *

• No, my Parent/Guardian Information IS THE SAME.
• Yes, my Parent/Guardian Info has CHANGED.

Parent / Guardian Exception Situation

• I am now legally emancipated or considered an independent student
• I am unable to provide parent or guardian information doe to estrangement or safety concerns
• Other (please explain

Please explain your situation *

Provide a brief explanation so we can understand your situation.

Total 2025 Parent/Guardian Total Income *

Enter the total combined income for parent(s) or guardian(s) (i.e., 47001.75)

Parent/Guardian 1 Information

Last Name *

Middle Initial

First Name *

Cell Phone Number *

Home Phone Number

Optional

Email *

Occupation / Employer Type *

Example: Teacher, Retail Manager, Self-Employed, Unemployed

Employment Status *

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Unemployed
• Not currently working (student, caregiver, etc.)

Additional Employment Status

• Retired
• Disabled
• Receiving disabiity benefits

Optional: Please check all that apply.

Do you have another parent or legal guardian to list? *

• Yes
• No

Parent/Guardian 2 Information

Parent 2 Last Name *

Parent 2 Middle Initial

Parent 2 First Name *

Cell Phone Number *

Home Phone Number

Optional

Email *

Parent 2 Occupation / Employer Type

Example: Teacher, Retail Manager, Self-Employed, Unemployed

Parent 2 Employment Status *

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Unemployed
• Not currently working (student, caregiver, etc.)

Parent 2 Additional Employment Status

• Retired
• Disabled
• Receiving disabiity benefits

Optional: Please check all that apply.

ContinueSave and Resume Later

College / University and Financial Aid Information

Are You Attending the Same College / University?

• Yes, I’m attending the SAME College/University
• No, I have transferred to a DIFFERENT school

College or University You Are Attending *

Major/Career Goal *

$ Total Cost to Attend *

Do You Have the Same Financial Officer/Counselor? *

• Yes
• No, my Financial Aid Counselor has changed.

Financial Aid Counselor *

Phone Number *

Email *

Financial Aid Office Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

— Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

$ Total Estimated Financial Aid Package-2026-2007 *

Refer to your school’s acceptance letter and/or preliminary financial aid award letter for this information.

I Will Be Receiving These Types of Financial Aid (check all that apply) *

• College/University Scholarships (need-based or merit)
• Federal Scholarships/Grants (i.e.,Pell, Hope, Merit, SEOG)
• Student Loans
• Work-Study
• Outside Scholarships
• N/A

Check all that apply. Then complete the information below. If none apply, check N/A

Types of Financial You Will Be Receiving

College/University Scholarships (need-based or merit) *

C/U Scholarship Status *

• Accepted
• Pending

$ C/U Sch Amount *

Federal Grants (for example: Pell, Hope, Merit, SEOG) *

Fed Sch/L Status *

• Accepted
• Pending

$ Fed Sch/L Amount *

Student Loans *

Loan Status *

• Accepted
• Pending

$ Loan Amount *

Work-Study *

Work-Study Status *

• Accepted
• Pending

$ Work-Study Amount *

Outside Scholarships and Financial Aid Name

Please list each Outside Scholarship or Financial Aid separately. TO ADD another one, CLICK the + sign on the right.

Specific Outside Scholarship *

Outs Sch/FA Status *

• Approved
• Pending

$ Outside Sch/FA Amt *

ContinueSave and Resume Later

Extracurricular Activities and Interests

Please list each extracurricular activity separately, the high school year of participation & approximate number of hours for each activity. TO ADD another activity, CLICK the + sign on the right.

Extracurricular Activity or Interest

College Yr(s)

Number of Hours

Honors / Awards Received in College

Please list each Honor / Award separately. TO ADD another activity, CLICK the + sign on the right.

Name of Honor / Award

Clubs and Associations

Clubs and Associations

List Clubs and Associations here.

College Volunteer Work and Community Service

List each one separately. T0 ADD another one, CLICK the + sign on the right.

Name of Service/Volunteer Work

High School Years

Number of Hours

College Part-Time or Full-Time Jobs Held

Please list each one separately. TO ADD another one, CLICK the + sign on the right.

Job Name

Multiple Choice

• Full Time
• Part Time

Number of Hours

ContinueSave and Resume Later

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT Upload (unofficial is OK): PDF, PNG, JPG *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.

$ Upload 2026 Financial Aid Award Letter (PDF, JPG) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 2 files.

Upload a copy of your 2026-2027 Financial Aid Award letter from the college or university you will be attending.

Upload Your Profile Photo (JPG) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

ContinueSave and Resume Later

Personal Essay & Submit

Personal Essay: 400-600 Words

Upload your original essay (in Word or PDF) on the topic below. This personal essay is vital to determine scholarship eligibility, demonstrating writing skills and ability to express yourself in a concise manner.

Be sure to have your essay proofread for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and structure.

Topic: If you could go back, what advice would you give your 16-year old self to be better prepared for the challenges of college, and why?

Upload your Personal Essay (Word Doc or PDF) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.

Submit Your Application

Read and Sign Waiver

By submitting this scholarship application, you acknowledge that all information provided is true and accurate.

Incomplete applicationas will be disqualified, so be sure to answer ALL fields.

If you don’t have the exact information,  provide an estimate or explanation.

Please allow 8-10 weeks for the Board’s selection of scholarship recipients.

All information provided will be viewed only by administrators and Gaines-Jones Board of Directors.

And I agree, if awarded a scholarship, that my photo may be used on the Gaines-Jones.org website and other collateral.

Age Verification of Applicant/Parent or Guardian *

• I am over 18 or the legal guardian of the participant above and I accept the terms of this waiver.

Your Birthdate

MM123456789101112DD12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031YYYY202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956195519541953195219511950194919481947194619451944194319421941194019391938193719361935193419331932193119301929192819271926192519241923192219211920

Your Signature *

Clear Signature

Date Signed *

MM123456789101112DD12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031YYYY202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956195519541953195219511950194919481947194619451944194319421941194019391938193719361935193419331932193119301929192819271926192519241923192219211920

Continue to SubmitSave and Resume Later

SubmitSave and Resume Later