Applications Open for US Rugby Foundation Scholarships
Applications Open for US Rugby Foundation Scholarships
The application window for the US Rugby Foundation is open and will remain open through August 31.
Eligible scholarship applicants must be graduating high school in 2024 and attending college and playing rugby for that college in the Fall of 2024. These scholarships all have their specific criteria.
The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship
The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Program was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Margaret “Meg” Votta, who passed away in November 2009 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. The fund was established to provide scholarships to deserving members of the rugby community who have been active players in their local high school programs and to be used for continuing education.
The Meg Votta Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2024. Scholarships are awarded to the male and female who each best express what the game of rugby has meant to them and their plans for furthering their education. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships
The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship was founded in 2016 by Paul & Sarah Kaler with the mission of helping athletes transition into college rugby. Paul began his rugby career in 1990 with River City RFC in Mason City, Iowa and through several work promotions his journey took him to the Eastside Banshees in Minneapolis, Wausau Area Rugby in Wisconsin, and the St. Louis Royal Ramblers. Each year, the US Rugby Foundation intends to award Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships to one deserving male and female rugby player and will be in the amount of $1,500 each.
Kaler Family Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2024. Scholarships are awarded to the male and female who best express what the game of rugby has meant to them and their plans for furthering their education. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Named after US Rugby Hall of Famer, the late William “Bill” Campbell, the William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the college freshman who demonstrates a prowess on the rugby field and in the classroom. Bill Campbell is a Columbia University grad who was well versed in football and was eventually recruited to the rugby pitch. He co-founded the Columbia University RFC (in 1961) because he understood the impact rugby could make in a community. With the help of other Columbia graduates, Campbell also helped found the renowned Old Blue RFC in New York City in 1963. His vision for Old Blue was to connect Columbia alumni athletes with a combination of championship caliber rugby and camaraderie. He captained and served as president of Old Blue, leading the club to numerous 15s and 7s championships over many years.
The William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2024. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This $2,500 scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
Terry O'Reilly Memorial Scholarship
The Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors—each recipient is awarded $2,500. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2024. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
Richard A. Donelli Memorial Scholarship
A Richard A. Donelli Memorial Scholarship could also be open to a graduating high school senior if there is not a qualified applicant from the junior and senior collegiate level. Each recipient is awarded $2,500. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, and attend an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
The Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program
Named after the hugely-respected Eagle who played in two Rugby World Cups before passing away prematurely, the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2024. Each award will be for $1,000. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.
Dick Poulson Scholarship
The Dick Poulson Scholarship is $5,000 per award and open to a graduating high school senior in the scholarship annual cycle who has played single-school or multi-school club rugby in the DC/VA/MD area, and has committed to playing rugby during his or her freshman college year. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Western Washington University—Paul Horne Scholarship
One international or out-of-state student with an elite background in rugby will be awarded this scholarship annually (up to $7,500). The student must be attending Western Washington University.
Western Washington University—Jeff Lombard Scholarship
One international or out-of-state student with an elite background in rugby will be awarded this scholarship annually (up to $7,500). The student must be attending Western Washington University.
Western Washington University—Don Burgess Scholarship
One international or out-of-state student with an elite background in rugby will be awarded this scholarship annually (up to $7,500). The student must be attending Western Washington University.
Western Washington University—Preston Worth Scholarship
Named after longtime fixture of Bellingham, Wash. rugby Preston Worth, this Scholarship is for $3,000 and is for players with a GPA of at least 2.7 out of 4.0. Three scholarships are open to all US resident high school students who have been accepted to Western Washington University and are committed to WWU Men’s Rugby Program.
