This scholarship was established in memory of Mike W. Merritt who was a 1992 graduate of East Bladen High School and who at the time of his passing worked for the Town of White Lake and as a member of the White Lake Volunteer Fire Department. This scholarship embraces Mike’s belief that we are not just here to further our own ends, but are here to contribute to a larger purpose.

To qualify as a recipient for the MIKE W MERRIT SCHOLARSHIP, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled as a full time student, a minimum of twelve semester hours.

• Submit a scholarship application with two letters of recommendation.

• Be a motivated, capable learner who has a demonstrated economic need, as well as, has exhausted other resources for financial assistance.

• Continue enrollment for the duration of the scholarship.

• Submit an essay stating why they have chosen their particular field of study and how the scholarship will help them attain their educational goal.

• Maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Preference will be given to a student who is a Bladen County resident. If there is no applicant who meets this criteria, then it will be left to the discretion of the Scholarship Committee to select an otherwise qualified student.