Scholarships

Eugene Byers Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025
Established in memory of Eugene Byers by Lewie and Elaine Byers

In honor of Eugene Byers and all who served our country, preference will be given to students whose family member(s), past or present, served in the military.

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must graduate with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. In addition, applicants must submit a typed essay (minimum 400 words) with a brief description of your background, your ambitions, and why you feel you deserve this scholarship.

Robert Byers Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025
Established in memory of Robert Byers by Lewie and Elaine Byers

In honor of Robert Byers and all who served our country, preference will be given to students whose family member(s), past or present, served in the military.

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must graduate with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. In addition, applicants must submit a typed essay (minimum 400 words) with a brief description of your background, your ambitions, and why you feel you deserve this scholarship.

Lon Turn Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025
Established by Lewie and Elaine Byers

Corporal Henry Lon Turn was a classmate of ours from the JHS Class of 1964. He bravely enlisted in the armed services immediately after high school and was the first from this area to go to Vietnam, where he lost his life in battle at a very young age. We owe a debt of gratitude to heroes like Lon, and we are forever proud of our classmate. ~ Lewie and Elaine Byers

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must graduate with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. In addition, applicants must submit a typed essay (minimum 400 words) with a brief description of your background, your ambitions for the business world, and why you feel you deserve this scholarship.

Marilyn Hedricks Sackett Jacksonville Health Professionals Scholarship

Amount: $5,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

The scholarship is made available through the generosity of Founding Partner Marilyn Hedricks Sackett, JHS class of 1961, to students pursuing either a degree or technical certification in the field of health care.

Joseph Villavisencio Memorial Scholars

Amount: $2,500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025
"Joseph participated in athletics and band all 4 years of high school, along with UIL academic competitions, and was an AP scholar with Distinction. He received honors at the state level in athletics, band, and UIL academics as well. Joseph was an extremely passionate person and wanted to make the world a better place. I want the recipient of this award to have that passion as well. That is the type of student I would like to see get this award….accomplished, driven, passionate, and hardworking."
~ Christine Villavisencio

To qualify for this scholarship, you must be a student that participated in band and athletics, and has been either accepted into a 4 year university, or top 10% of the graduating class and accepted into a Jr. College. Participation in both programs, or a combination of participation in both programs for three out of four years will suffice.

*Athletics includes any athletics program, both male and female, including charmers and cheer. The applicant must also submit a written essay about a topic they are passionate about and how they see their passion bettering the lives of others. The applicant should represent the qualities Joseph Villavisencio was so well known for; being accomplished, driven, passionate, and hardworking.

Louise Walker Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025
in memory of JISD teacher Louise Walker

This scholarship was established to honor the memory of Mrs. Louise Walker who was a long-time educator in Jacksonville ISD and a champion of education for all students. Her passion was encouraging and supporting students in need, whether emotionally or financially.

The qualifications for the scholarship are: Any JHS graduating senior attending a college, university, or vocational school.

Two scholarships will be awarded.

Larry Garner Business Award Scholarship

Amount: $1,500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

Mr. Larry Garner, retired assistant principal and accounting teacher, was honored by former students Matt and Kelly Montgomery, Randy and Cheryl Gorham, and Mark and Judy Cook. The Montgomerys and Gorhams initiated this annual scholarship to honor their high school accounting teacher. Both men have businesses in the finance and accounting fields. Then the Mark & Judy Cook Foundation followed with a contribution that will ENDOW a $ 1,500 business award & scholarship to a deserving senior every year starting in May 2014.

This is the first endowed scholarship by the Jacksonville Education Foundation thanks to the generous donation from the Mark & Judy Cook Foundation. The Montgomerys, Gorhams, and Cooks hope this sets a precedent for other JHS Alumni to honor one of the many Influential Educators in the Jacksonville School System, both past and present.

Driver Bob Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

Established in memory of Robert Thompson, a long-time bus driver and supporter of all JISD students.

George and Geneva Williamson Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $10,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must graduate from JHS with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. In addition, applicants must submit a typed essay (minimum 400 words) with a brief description of your background, your ambitions, and why you feel you deserve this scholarship. Preference will be given to students with a work history, and who have financial need.

If chosen as a recipient of this scholarship, I understand that in order to accept this award, I must attend an accredited college in the United States approved by the Jacksonville Education Foundation, and I understand that all funds for this scholarship will be made directly to the college to offset any tuition, books, or other fees incurred. The scholarship will be funded $5,000 for semester (1) one, and $5,000 for semester (2) two with proof of enrollment.

Dr. Lewis Gray Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

The qualifications for the scholarship are: graduate of JISD; pursuing a career in a health care field; full time enrollment (12 hours) in college or university pre-med or nursing program; $500 to be paid first semester, additional $500 second semester with 2.5 GPA.

Career & Tech Vocational Scholarship

Amount: $500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

The qualifications for the scholarship are: graduate of JISD; full time enrollment (12 hours) in college or vocational school; $500 to be paid first semester with receipt of enrollment information.

Sissy Austin Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

Sissy Austin was committed to her Jacksonville community for her entire lifetime. She graduated as valedictorian, worked as an mathmatical engineer for NASA before becoming legendary in the banking industry where she worked for 50 years helping build the Austin Bank organization. She was a founder of the Jacksonville Education Foundation. Sissy valued hard work, initiative, and self-improvement. This scholarship is given in her memory by the Jacksonville Education Foundation.

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must exude the values of hard work, initiative, and self-improvement.

JHS Audio/Video Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

The qualifications for the scholarship are: graduate of JISD; enrolled in the A/V classes at JHS; full time enrollment (12 hours) in college or vocational school; $1,000 to be paid to the institution upon receipt of enrollment information.

Lake Jacksonville Poker Run Scholarship

Amount: $1,500.00
Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2025

This scholarship is funded by the annual Lake Jacksonville Poker Run.

Tim L. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund

Amount: $1,000.00

This scholarship fund was established in memory of longtime Jacksonville resident, businessman, community leader, and JHS alumnus Tim Smith. Tim was passionate about his love for Jacksonville and as a product of the local school system was extremely supportive of J.I.S.D. This fund allows funding for a multitude of scholarship opportunities for Jacksonville seniors pursuing higher education.

The Foundation sincerely thanks his wife, Julie Duren Smith who graciously requested that memorials be made to the Education Foundation in his memory. Julie serves as an advisory board member and was one of the founding board members of the Jacksonville Education Foundation.

Will and Annie Bass Scholarship

Amount: $20,000.00
Established by Paul and Sheena Bass

Paul and Sheena Bass established the Will and Annie Bass Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating JHS senior who will be attending Texas A&M University. The student must be entering the Corps of Cadets, and pursuing a degree in one of the STEM subjects; Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. This scholarship is to be disbursed in $2,500 increments per semester for a total of 8 semesters.

"As a 1961 graduate of Jacksonville High School, I attended Texas A&M with little financial help or encouragement and attained a Civil Engineering degree. Sheena and I desire to help a JHS student attain that same goal, and plan to be in contact and a source of support and encouragement throughout his or her college career."
~ Paul M. Bass, JHS Class of 1961

The qualifications for the scholarship are: Attend Texas A&M University; be a full-time member of the Corps of Cadets; pursue a degree in a STEM subject; submit recommendations from 2 teachers and 1 community person; be a graduate of JHS in the top 25% with a GPA of 3.0 or better; full time enrollment (12 hours) in TAMU, and maintain a 2.5 average the first year, then a 3.0 in years 2,3, & 4. The disbursements will be sent directly to TAMU. Additional consideration will be given to a candidate with financial needs.

Susie Arnwine Waits Scholarship

Amount: $2,000.00

The Susie Arnwine Waits Memorial Scholarship fund has been set up in honor of Susie Waits who was born in Jacksonville Texas and was a daughter of John and Anne Arnwine. She was married to Arnold Waits and they had four children, Lillian Waits Roy, Modear Waits, John W. Waits Sr., and Janelle Waits Moore.

During the 1940s the family moved to Houston Texas and Arnold preceded her in death in 1949. Her living grandchildren are Donald R. Waits, Mary S. Waits Barner, Melody Waits Earle, Nora F. Waits Willis, Peggy E. Waits Alexander, Patricia Roy Broussard, Arnold and Bobby Moore. Deceased grandchildren include Finis L. Waits, Albert A. Roy, and John W. Waits Jr.

Susie is most remembered for her love of her family and of her church, Miles Chapel . She was faithful to all and was always willing to do whatever was asked of her. She was an encourager, and instilled in her grandchildren the importance of getting an education.

A $2,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to an African American student that graduates from Jacksonville High School spring 2014 and plan to continue their education in college starting in the fall. The scholarship recipient will receive $500.00 a year for four (4) years as long as he/she stays in college and in good standing. No contribution is too small if you would like to help support this scholarship.

Applicant must graduate from JHS this spring (2017), of the African American race, and plan to continue their education in college starting in the fall of 2017. If I am chosen as a recipient of this scholarship, I understand that in order to accept this award, I must attend a four year accredited college in the United States, or a Junior or Community College approved by the Jacksonville Education Foundation.

Doris Finley Educator Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00
Deadline: Friday, April 22, 2022
in memory of Mrs. Doris Finley

Chuck and Billie Hopson established the Doris Finley Educator Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating JHS senior pursuing a degree in education. This scholarship is in memory of longtime staff member Doris Finley who was devoted to Jacksonville High School and was passionate about her education profession.

Mrs. Finley was a customer of mine at May Drug for over 35 years and supported all of my runs for offices, whether city council, school board, or State Representative, Doris knocked on doors and always supported me. She was a good friend for many years.
~ Chuck Hopson

The qualifications for the scholarship are: Has to be in the top 25% of the class; pursuing a degree in education; recommended by 2 teachers; graduate of JISD; full time enrollment (12 hours) in college or university; $500 to be paid first semester, additional $500 second semester with 3.0 GPA.

Commitment to Excellence Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00

JISD Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance Lindy Finley received the TASBO Commitment to Excellence Award for 2016-17 and was awarded funds to use at her discretion. She chose to award $1,000 to a graduating JHS senior pursuing a degree in either business, accounting, or math. This scholarship will give priority to students attending Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M University.

The qualifications for the scholarship are: Has to be in the top 25% of the class; pursuing a degree in business, math, or accounting; recommended by 2 teachers; graduate of JISD; full time enrollment (12 hours) in a college or university; $500 to be paid first semester, additional $500 second semester with 3.0 GPA.

Salutatorian Scholarship

Amount: $4,000.00

The Jacksonville Education Foundation will award its Salutatorian Scholarship each May. It is for $1000 annually and, if standards are met, is renewable for up to 4 years.

Chuck Hopson Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00

Andy Phillips Scholarship

Amount: $1,000.00

Neta Hanna Cheerleader Scholarship Fund

Amount: $500.00

Dick Sheffield

Amount: $1,000.00