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Mattie Prescott “Be the Light” Memorial Scholarship

The Mattie Prescott “Be the Light” Memorial Scholarship was established to assist high school seniors at Grace Preparatory Academy or Matthew Road Academy in Texas who plan to continue their education in college.

Applications Open - Deadline March 18, 2026 3:00 PM CT

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Mattie Prescott “Be the Light” Memorial Scholarship

Mattie Prescott was a devoted student, teammate, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and cherished friend. She was a true warrior for Jesus, living out 2 Timothy 1:7: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

Though Mattie had a gentle spirit, “timid” was never a word that described her—especially when it came to her boldness in sharing the love of Christ. She radiated His light on the volleyball court, in the classroom, and in every interaction with those around her. Mattie was an encourager and a cheerleader for others, always making sure no one was left on the outside.

While Mattie’s time on earth was far too short, the impact she made was immeasurable. Her faith, kindness, and joy continue to inspire all who knew her, serving as a lasting reminder of how one life, lived fully for Christ, can touch so many others.

This scholarship honors Mattie’s legacy by supporting student-athletes who embody her dedication, selflessness, and steadfast faith as they pursue their educational and athletic goals.

High school seniors from Grace Preparatory Academy or Matthew Road Academy are eligible to apply for this scholarship if they demonstrate Mattie’s core values: a passion for athletics, strong academics, high character, Christian faith, and community involvement. Applicants must be recommended by their counselor, principal, or head of school.

Funds will be paid directly to the winner’s university, college, or trade school to cover educational expenses.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Eligibility

Applicants to the Mattie Prescott “Be the Light” Memorial Scholarship must:

  • Be high school seniors at Grace Preparatory Academy or Matthew Road Academy in Texas
  • Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
  • Be recommended by their counselor, principal, or head of school at Grace Prep or Matthew Road

Awards

Up to one (1) award of $5,000 will be granted per year.

Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in May.

Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Sponsor. Payment is made in August.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • An essay

*Essay: What does it mean to be a good teammate? What is the most important team you have been on? How has your faith supported you through hard times, on and off the field/court?

Financial need is not considered.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Requirements

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

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