Memorial Fund Scholarship

The Seattle Fishermen's Memorial Board established an educational scholarship fund in 1999 for the purpose of providing educational scholarships to eligible family members and other dependents who have suffered the tragedy of losing their loved ones to the sea. The Board's hope is that the scholarships will lessen the financial burden on these families and dependents who may not otherwise achieve their educational goals.

Eligibility for awards of Memorial Fund Scholarships shall be contingent on satisfying the following eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be members of the deceased fishermen's immediate family (i.e. spouse and/or children) or individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased fisherman at the time of death;
• The deceased fisherman's name must be either on the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial or, if the loss of life only recently occurred, the deceased fisherman's name must have been approved by the Board for placement on the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial;
• Applicants must show significant financial dependence on the deceased fisherman. And there must have been an expectancy of financial support at the time of schooling;
• Applicants must show financial need for funds to be used for educational purposes. A copy of the applicant's FAFSA will be required.

Satisfaction of these basic criteria does not entitle an applicant to an award of a Memorial Fund Scholarship. These criteria are for the purposes of determining eligibility only. Financial dependence and financial need shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Board.

The number of Memorial Fund Scholarships to be awarded semi-annually and the amount of funds to be awarded from the Scholarship Fund shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Board. The following limitations shall apply to awards of Memorial Fund Scholarships:

• Memorial Fund Scholarships are only awarded twice a year. Past recipients of Memorial Fund Scholarships may re-apply each year, and may receive an award for up to four distinct years. These years need not be sequential;
• Memorial Fund Scholarships shall not be used for purposes other than for educational purposes. The educational institutions to be attended may include primary and secondary schools, community colleges, technical and vocational programs, colleges, universities or any other educational institution that, in the sole discretion of the Board, is consistent with the underlying purposes of the Memorial Fund Scholarships;
• Awards shall be paid directly to the educational institution as directed by the recipient except in exceptional circumstances. If an applicant for a Memorial Fund Scholarship incurs tuition and/or other costs (that would normally be paid as part of an award) while his/her application is pending, the Board may, at its sole discretion, directly reimburse him/her for these expenses if the applicant should later be awarded a Memorial Fund Scholarship, but only up to the amount of the award;
• Failure to attend the educational institution during the calendar year in which the Memorial Fund Scholarship was awarded shall result in forfeiture of the scholarship unless the recipient applies for an extension from the Board, shows good cause for the extension, and the extension is approved by the Board;
• The scholarships are given on a financial need basis. Accordingly, any grants or awards received by an applicant (from other sources/institutions) that are not set forth on his/her application may change and/or reduce the amount awarded by the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial Board, even after funding of the scholarship has begun;
• If awarded a scholarship, Applicants agree to submit a short biographical piece detailing education goals with a recent picture that the Board may share with fishing community at large and post on the Seattle Fishermen's Memorial website.

Application deadline for 2023-2024 school year: June 2, 2022

Award date for 2023-2024 school year: July 28, 2023

Application deadline for mid-year programs beginning from January 2024 until July 2024: October 27, 2023

Award date for mid-year programs: December 15, 2023

If you have any questions about the scholarship application process please email us and a member of the scholarship committee will get back to you.