Past Award Recipients -- CONGRATULATIONS!
2017 Scholarships Siree McRady (The Webb School) Kay Thein (John Overton High School) 2017 Volunteer of the Year: Adult (English Outreach): Bee Intakanok Youth: Chloe Lee (Peachtree Ridge High School) 2017 Community Service Recognition of Excellence: High School: Mindy Do, Katie Dang, Jimmy Vuong, Claris Lee, Priscilla Lin Middle School: Aerlyn Theng, Nini Nguyen, Karren Vuong, Binh Nguyen |
Georgia Buddhist Scholarshippresented by AtlantaBuddhism.org and TNBuddhism.org
in partnership with Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp Introducing the Southern Dharma Scholarships, including the Georgia Buddhist Scholarship and the Tennessee Buddhist Scholarship! Encouraging teenagers and young adults to pursue further education and continue to uphold the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom and compassion. Students are encouraged to apply for one or more of the categories, listed below. Award amounts vary and may range from one time cash award of $100, to a $20,000 grant over four years ($5000/year) for Southern students accepted to the Sangha and Laity Training Program at the Sagely City of Dharma Realm in California. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis - please apply now. We are excited to hear from you! Submit nominations for Volunteers of the Year (Adults or Youth) and Young Adults / Community Service Excellence (Middle & High School) -- email us at info@georgiameditation.org with name, grade, and brief description of the candidate's work or behavior!
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FYI: Residential Summer Programs for Young Adults (ages 18 - 40):
- Immersion Program at Dharma Realm Buddhist University Extension at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in California: www.drbux.org
- In China: Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program: www.woodenfish.org
(All participants will receive a full scholarship to cover tuition, room, and board!)
- In Taiwan: Fo Guang Retreat: https://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/
- Immersion Program at Dharma Realm Buddhist University Extension at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in California: www.drbux.org
- In China: Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program: www.woodenfish.org
(All participants will receive a full scholarship to cover tuition, room, and board!)
- In Taiwan: Fo Guang Retreat: https://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/
Find your category (may apply to multiple):
Community Leaders Award (High School Scholarship)For any high school students or those entering college in the next year, this honor recognizes those with contributions to the Buddhist community or who will be inspired by Buddhist principles in the future
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Discovery Award (Buddhist Education Scholarship)For any students aged 13 - 22, this award is for use on any formal Buddhist educational activities or retreats of their choice, such as at Dharma Realm Buddhist University, DRBU Extension, or the University of the West
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Youth Explorers Award (Summer Camp Scholarship)For any student with financial need, this fund will cover tuition and expenses to attend Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp
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Applications are now open. Download the application below (PDF or Word). Email us your completed application per the instructions. If you do not receive a confirmation response within one week, please contact info@georgiameditation.org to follow up.
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Donors needed. 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contact us at info@georgiameditation.org if you would like to donate and help the youth!
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Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp
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Thank You Sponsors!
Coming Soon... Add Your Name or Company Here -- email info@georgiameditation.org
Coming Soon... Add Your Name or Company Here -- email info@georgiameditation.org
The Fine Print:
I. Purpose
The purpose of the Southern Dharma Scholarships (also known interchangeably as the Georgia Buddhist Scholarship or the Tennessee Buddhist Scholarship) is to:
II. Eligibility
The Community Leaders Award, aka Senior Scholarship, is open to those who meet the following qualifications:
Verification of information provided (such as address, school, or membership) may be requested at the committee’s discretion.
III. Award Usage
The Senior Scholarship will be a cash prize, and must be used by the awardee(s) for any education-related expenses.
(The IRS defines this as follows, as of 2017: The grant is a scholarship or fellowship and is to be used for study at an educational institution that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly organized body of students in attendance at the place where the educational activities are carried on. For these purposes, grant recipients need not be limited to degree candidates, nor must the grant be limited to tuition, fees, and course-required books, supplies and equipment. A recipient may use grant funds for room, board, travel, research, clerical help or equipment, that are incidental to the purposes of the scholarship or fellowship grant.)
The Discovery Scholarship will be a prize to help pay for tuition, registration, and/or travel expenses for the awardee(s) to approved structured activities that are specifically related to the study of Buddhism. The organization may mandate that funds will be made payable to the educational non-profit organization, or as reimbursement for expenses with receipts. Currently, the approved Buddhist activities are:
IV. Application Process and Deadline
Students will download and complete the application, and email to the address provided. Applications will be due (received date) by a specified date for each cycle and will be presented in person in public at a time to be mutually determined. The place of award will preferentially be at the Buddhist temple the applicant notes affiliation with, or if none or not available, at a Buddhist center of the committee’s choosing. Awardees may be asked to verify information (such as address, school records, temple references, etc) before award is given. In the event that the applicant is unable to receive the award, it may be forfeited. Discovery awards will be given based on the event chosen. Awardees must successfully complete the event at the organizer’s satisfaction in order for funds to be received.
Application fee: None.
V. Selection Criteria
For the Senior scholarship, selection is based on the essay or work submitted in response to the year’s theme, as well as applicant’s general contributions to the Buddhist community, and potential for future impact in representing Buddhism in America.
For the Discovery and Summer Camp scholarships, selection is based on a combination of student’s essay and evidence of true desire to participate in Buddhist activities. The family’s financial need may be considered, with preference given to those with greater demonstrated need.
The selection committee will be comprised of Buddhist leaders selected from the community. If a selection committee member is a family member of any applicants, they will be asked to recuse themselves from the selection committee that year. Relatives of selection committee members are automatically disqualified from receiving a prize.
VI. Legal Disclaimers
Essays or works submitted (such as Youtube videos, art, poetry, etc) may be shared or publicized by non-profit Buddhist organizations. The Southern Dharma Scholarship / Georgia Buddhist Youth Scholarship and representatives including the selection committee and volunteers will make every good faith attempt to preserve confidentiality of personal information, however, we maintain no responsibility or liability. While we believe scholarships granted for educational purposes are tax-exempt, all responsibility lays with the recipients to verify compliance with local and federal laws. Applicants agree to hold harmless this organization and affiliates.
I. Purpose
The purpose of the Southern Dharma Scholarships (also known interchangeably as the Georgia Buddhist Scholarship or the Tennessee Buddhist Scholarship) is to:
- Encourage young adults to cultivate compassion and wisdom as they embark upon the journey of discovery and higher education
- Motivate youth to continue a wholesome lifestyle as they transition away from home
- Preserve the diversity of Buddhist practices and traditions in the United States
- Foster a sense of community and pride among Buddhist groups
- Provide donors the opportunity to support youth in their pursuit of higher education
II. Eligibility
The Community Leaders Award, aka Senior Scholarship, is open to those who meet the following qualifications:
- In attendance at a high school in the Southern United States OR entering college for the first time in the next 12 months
- Regular attendance or membership in a Buddhist organization OR provide a statement of support explaining why they are interested in a Buddhist scholarship
- Minimum of a 2.5 (C+) cumulative GPA in high school as of the time of application
- Any grade level in middle school, high school, or full-time undergraduate institution in the Southern United States
- Minimum of a 2.5 (C+) GPA in the previous year of schooling
Verification of information provided (such as address, school, or membership) may be requested at the committee’s discretion.
III. Award Usage
The Senior Scholarship will be a cash prize, and must be used by the awardee(s) for any education-related expenses.
(The IRS defines this as follows, as of 2017: The grant is a scholarship or fellowship and is to be used for study at an educational institution that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly organized body of students in attendance at the place where the educational activities are carried on. For these purposes, grant recipients need not be limited to degree candidates, nor must the grant be limited to tuition, fees, and course-required books, supplies and equipment. A recipient may use grant funds for room, board, travel, research, clerical help or equipment, that are incidental to the purposes of the scholarship or fellowship grant.)
The Discovery Scholarship will be a prize to help pay for tuition, registration, and/or travel expenses for the awardee(s) to approved structured activities that are specifically related to the study of Buddhism. The organization may mandate that funds will be made payable to the educational non-profit organization, or as reimbursement for expenses with receipts. Currently, the approved Buddhist activities are:
- Georgia Buddhist Summer Camp
- Practice Sessions / Retreats, or Coursework, at Dharma Realm Buddhist University
- Coursework at University of the West
- Other activities may be submitted by the applicant and may be approved on a case by case basis, but should be an organized Buddhist educational event or meditation retreat run by a non-profit organization
IV. Application Process and Deadline
Students will download and complete the application, and email to the address provided. Applications will be due (received date) by a specified date for each cycle and will be presented in person in public at a time to be mutually determined. The place of award will preferentially be at the Buddhist temple the applicant notes affiliation with, or if none or not available, at a Buddhist center of the committee’s choosing. Awardees may be asked to verify information (such as address, school records, temple references, etc) before award is given. In the event that the applicant is unable to receive the award, it may be forfeited. Discovery awards will be given based on the event chosen. Awardees must successfully complete the event at the organizer’s satisfaction in order for funds to be received.
Application fee: None.
V. Selection Criteria
For the Senior scholarship, selection is based on the essay or work submitted in response to the year’s theme, as well as applicant’s general contributions to the Buddhist community, and potential for future impact in representing Buddhism in America.
For the Discovery and Summer Camp scholarships, selection is based on a combination of student’s essay and evidence of true desire to participate in Buddhist activities. The family’s financial need may be considered, with preference given to those with greater demonstrated need.
The selection committee will be comprised of Buddhist leaders selected from the community. If a selection committee member is a family member of any applicants, they will be asked to recuse themselves from the selection committee that year. Relatives of selection committee members are automatically disqualified from receiving a prize.
VI. Legal Disclaimers
Essays or works submitted (such as Youtube videos, art, poetry, etc) may be shared or publicized by non-profit Buddhist organizations. The Southern Dharma Scholarship / Georgia Buddhist Youth Scholarship and representatives including the selection committee and volunteers will make every good faith attempt to preserve confidentiality of personal information, however, we maintain no responsibility or liability. While we believe scholarships granted for educational purposes are tax-exempt, all responsibility lays with the recipients to verify compliance with local and federal laws. Applicants agree to hold harmless this organization and affiliates.