Scholarships

MORA annually presents seven scholarships totaling $11,265 to graduating seniors in 2022 including: the Allie Carruth Memorial Scholarship ($5,000), the Walker Wilbanks Memorial Scholarship ($2,265), and the Matthew Gaskin Memorial Scholarship ($1,000). MORA will also offer two $1,000 scholarships: the Annie Lucious Gift of Life Scholarship and the Dr. Shirley Schlessinger Scholarship, and two $500 scholarships.

You do not have to be a registered donor to apply for the scholarships.

2021-2022 Scholarship winners will be notified in the spring of 2022.

Scholarship Guidelines:

1. The student must be a graduating senior from an accredited Mississippi high school.
2. After graduation from high school, the student must be accepted by or have intentions of fall enrollment in either a junior college or university.
3. A GPA of 2.5 or higher
4. Complete the 2021-2022 MORA Scholarship Application
5. Provide two letters of recommendation: one from a school teacher and one from an adult of your choice.
6. Complete an essay of 300 – 750 words will be required on one of the following topics:

a. Why you are a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor

b. The importance of encouraging others to be an organ and tissue donor

c. How have you or your family been affected by organ and tissue donation or by transplantation of organs and /or tissue

d. Why you want to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor

Deadline:

Return completed scholarship application, essay, and letters of recommendation by November 12, 2021 to:

Susan Bonds

c/o MORA

499 Gloster Creek Suite F1

Tupelo, MS 38801

­­For questions, email sbonds@msora.org.

Walker Wilbanks Scholarship

The Wilbanks Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory of Walker Wilbanks, a student athlete at Jackson Preparatory School who became an organ donor hero in 2014. The scholarship amount $2265 (reflective of Walker’s baseball and football numbers).

A high school administrator, faculty, or staff member may nominate high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university in the fall.  You may nominate more than one senior.

Include a one- page letter nominating students based on his or her character traits (i.e. courage, integrity, accountability, respect, responsibility, and concern for others)

Complete the Walker Wilbanks Scholarship application form and send with letter of recommendation to sbonds@msora.org or mail to:

Susan Bonds

c/o MORA

499 Gloster Creek Suite F1

Tupelo, MS  38801

Deadline: November 12, 2021