60 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. He was bestowed this honor for his remarkable leadership in the Civl Rights movement and in the advancement of equity in the United States. In his acceptance speech, Dr. King shared a rousing and inspiring account regarding his vision for the future, a future beyond the bigotry which plagues society. And although these words were uttered several decades ago, they continue to resonate and inspire the generations. And as the next generation prepares for the next steps in their educational career, scholarship opportunities are now available in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy.
The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission recently announced the launch of the 2024 applications for the MLK Scholarship Essay Competition. Through this opportunity, ten NJ students have the opportunity to win $5,000 towards their college expenses. This opportunity is open to high school seniors who reside in New Jersey. Students will be asked to submit a 100 to 300 word essay, and can pick from the following prompts:
- How does the life of Dr. Martin Luther Jr. inspire you as you think about your future?
- Please tell us about your service to others during your high school years.
- Sixty years ago, in 1964, Dr. King Was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. Please reflect on the quotes provided from the speech (full quotes linked below) and share your thoughts about their relevance in 2024.
If you are interested in applying, all submissions must be sent in by Monday, March 15th at 5pm. Please note that only one entry per student will be accepted. If you are the recipient of a scholarship, funds will be dispersed directly to the schools or institutions of winning students. Awards will be based on a review of your application by the independent reviewers appointed by the Commission. If selected for final review, students will be asked to provide:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers, advisors, clergy, and/or representatives of community-based service programs
- An official high school transcript from 11th grade
If you are interested in applying and wish to learn more, applications and additional information regarding the opportunity can be accessed here: Apply – MLK Scholarship Essay Competition. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the opportunity, please contact the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission at MLKCommission@sos.nj.gov for additional assistance. MLK24 Scholars will be announced at the MLK Scholarship Awards presentation on Wednesday, May 29th at 7pm via Zoom, linked here: Zoom – MLK24.
As we continue to fight for Dr. King’s vision of the future, education is an invaluable tool in making these ideals a reality. As you or the student in your life prepare for the next phase of your academic career, this scholarship opportunity is a wonderful chance to access additional resources and meaningfully reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along the way. All applications are due by March 15th, so be certain to apply today!
