Draft tax legislation in the House contains a tax credit provision for donations to scholarship funds, including a provision for stocks and cash. This has a long way to go, but if enacted, this could create a massive flow of resources for scholarships while benefiting taxpayers donating highly appreciated stocks.
“Taxpayers would be allowed to claim a tax credit for stock donations and cash. When people donate stocks, they do not have to pay capital gains taxes on accumulated earnings. That means that taxpayers who donate stock to a scholarship-granting organization would first avoid the capital gains tax and then receive the value of the stock back in the form of a tax credit.”
We have some ideas for a potential apprenticeship program for high school students. With this legislation, this type of scholarship program could be possible on a major scale.
2025 Scholarships
Latino Youth Nationwide
We are happy to announce that four scholarships will be awarded to Latino youth in memory of Foreign Service members and their families. These scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors demonstrating a commitment to higher education despite financial need and limited opportunities. These scholarships are for graduating seniors from public and private schools entering college or a technical training or apprenticeship program.
See our scholarship announcement in the Foreign Service Journal -- page 78.
Latino Scholarships
The Marie Maxey Foundation offers Latino youth four scholarships of $2,000 each to pursue higher education in a college setting or through technical training and apprenticeships. Funded by Foreign Service family members and other donors, these scholarships aim to give our young people a better future. Here is a list of the scholarships and the selection criteria. These scholarships are open to Latino youth graduating from high school anywhere in the United States. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2025, with an award made the first week of September. The funds will be deposited in the scholarship recipient's student account. The scholarship is available for college, vo-tech, or technical certification.
Dulce Deinken Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 – Eligible applicants - Hispanic/Latino youth graduating seniors from any public or private high school in the United States.
Elena Bathrick Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 – Eligible applicants – - Hispanic/Latino youth graduating seniors from any public or private high school in the United States.
Dilian Deal Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 – Eligible applicants - Hispanic/Latino youth graduating seniors from any public or private high school in the United States.
Christopher James Goughnour Memorial Scholarship - $2,000 - Eligible applicants - Hispanic/Latino youth graduating seniors from any public or private high school in the United States.
Selection criteria include the following:
(1) a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA).
(2) a FAFSA Submission Summary (this is a report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program, which helps determine the student’s financial need). A statement of financial need can be submitted for students enrolling in technical or apprenticeship programs where a FAFSA was not submitted.
(3) 500-word or less essay on how the student plans to use their post-secondary education to provide a better future for themselves and their community.
(4) a letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher, administrator, or unrelated community member (a pastor, coach, local elected official, etc.).
(5) Proof of acceptance into a two-year associate degree program, vocational/ apprenticeship initiative, or technical certification program.
