For ways to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, click here.
Are you a Grant Applicant?
Access grants, complete grant agreements, submit final reports and more.
Access Grant Portal
Are you a Scholarship Applicant?
Access scholarships.
Access Scholarship Portal
Are you a Fund Holder?
Access your fund information and recommend grants online.
Access Donor Portal

Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, USMC (MOH) Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 28th
Apply Now

Background

Sgt. Rodney M. Davis lunged atop an enemy grenade at the expense of his own life on September 6, 1967. This young man with a family at home committed a noble, courageous, and sacrificial act for Marines he barely knew.

The second-oldest of five children born to Ruth Amanda and Gordon Davis, Sr., Sgt. Rodney M. Davis had lived an exemplary life of honor, courage, and commitment long before receiving a U.S. Marine Corps emblem signifying his embodiment of such traits. Looking after his siblings and others who needed help in fending for themselves had been his life’s calling. He would do no less for his new brothers in the U.S. Marine Corps.

It takes a special man with a unique devotion to his country to defend it and to willingly sacrifice his own life for his country. Sgt. Rodney M. Davis did so without hesitation so as to spare the lives of his fellow Marines, and that selfless act speaks volumes about the man, his principles, and his unflinching courage even in the face of certain death.

Sgt. Rodney M. Davis wasn’t perfect by any means, but remained true to his convictions, ultimately at the expense of his own life. Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

Purpose

To help a JROTC cadet from a Bibb County High School in Macon, Georgia, by providing a scholarship for higher education.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a graduating senior from a Bibb County High School in Macon, Georgia.
  • Must be or have been a JROTC cadet in a Bibb County High School.
  • Must be accepted to an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational school at the time of receiving the scholarship.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to apply or to be eligible for scholarship renewal.
  • Must demonstrate a record of community service or service to others.
  • Must be a full-time student once in college.
  • Applicant may be invited to interview for this scholarship.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected based on the following:

  • Preference will be given to JROTC cadets who participated in the program for 2 or more years during their high school career.
  • Demonstrated record of community service, voluntarism, and high moral character.

Additional Short Answer Questions and Attachments

On the last page, you will select the Sgt. Davis Scholarship Fund and complete the following additional information:

  • A short essay describing how the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, USMC (MOH) has inspired you. More info available here.
  • Provide the name and email address of your JROTC advisor who has agreed to submit a letter of recommendation for you. Your recommendation should mention your participation in JROTC (length of service and commitment), your record of community service and voluntarism, and your moral character. This person will receive an email from our system allowing them to submit your recommendation. Please ask them before submitting their email address and let them know when you have submitted your application because that is when they will receive the email.
  • A resume listing your school and community activities, athletics, awards, offices held, and other relevant experience.
  • Your most recent high school transcript – you must request this from your current school.
  • A current, submitted FAFSA Student Aid Report that indicates the value of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in the upper right hand corner. If this value is not shown, your application will be considered incomplete.

Awards

Amount of Award: Initially $1,000 per year

Number of Awards per Year:  Four total, one new recipient selected annually

Renewal for Prior Recipients:  A prior recipient of this scholarship fund is eligible to renew the award each subsequent year of his/her undergraduate education career for up to four years. In order to renew, he/she must:

  • Complete the online renewal application by March 15th of each year.
  • Submit an unofficial transcript scholar@cfcga.org at the end of each fall and spring semester for which he/she receives the scholarship.
  • Maintain full-time enrollment, completing 12 or more credit hours each fall and spring semester he/she receives the scholarship.
  • Maintain the eligibility criteria as defined in the scholarship’s guidelines.

If a prior recipient does not maintain the eligibility criteria or faces unique circumstances that require him/her to take time off or take a reduced course load for a semester, the student should contact the Community Foundation to determine if he/she is eligible for continued funding.

The recipient is allowed one probationary period if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.0. If they raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or greater by the following semester, they will continue to be eligible to renew this scholarship. If the student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for two semesters, they are no longer eligible for the renewal of the scholarship.

Apply Now
Donate To A Fund