Thank you for your interest in applying for the 2026 Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Fund
Key Dates to Remember
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Applications Released.
- Friday, February 27, 2026: All FINAL applications due to be submitted by COB on this date, no extensions will be granted so plan to submit before this deadline for consideration.
- Friday, April 10, 2026: Interviews of the top applicants will be completed no later than this date. (Interviews will be scheduled between April 7-10)
- Friday, April 18, 2026: Selection by the Committee will be announced to the recipient by no later than this date.
- Saturday, April 30, 2026: Awardees will be notified by no later than this date.
Application Instructions
Available Scholarship Opportunities
Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Embark Award: This annual scholarship will be an annual one-time award of $250 to at least one 11th grade GT/LD student annually to be used towards college application fees or preparatory efforts for applying to college in the fall.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for a 2026 Embark Award: Student must be a 2025-2026 junior in the MCPS GT/LD Program at Walter Johnson High School, Northwood High School, or Watkins Mill High School and planning to enroll in a two-year associate degree program or applying to a four-year bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with a fall 2025 start.
Links and References
Available Scholarship Opportunities
Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Award: The annual scholarship will be awarded to the chosen recipient in the amount of $2,500 per year, for up to 4 years total (grand total of up to $10,000 per recipient) to one student annually.
Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Kickstart Award: The annual scholarship will be a one-time award of $1,000 to at least one 12th grade GT/LD student annually.
Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Recognition Award: The annual scholarship will be a one-time award of $250 to at least one 12th grade GT/LD student annually.
Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Gap Year Award: The annual scholarship will be a one-time award of $500 to one 12th grade GT/LD student annually.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for a 2026 Scholarship, Kickstarter or Recognition Award: Student must be a 2026 graduating senior in the MCPS GT/LD Program at Walter Johnson High School, Northwood High School, or Watkins Mill High School, and be accepted into a two-year associate degree program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with a fall 2026 start. Student must submit a letter of recommendation, with approved eligibility, from at least one staff member who worked with them closely while in the GT/LD program (case manager, teacher, co-teacher, guidance counselor, MCPS staff and/or Paraeducator). The recipient will need to provide proof graduation from the MCPS High School and of enrollment for the Fall 2026 into college. For the following three years, they will need to provide proof of continued enrollment and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain the scholarship for the upcoming year.
Eligibility for a 2026 Gap Year Award: Student must be a 2026 graduating senior in the MCPS GT/LD Program at Walter Johnson High School, Northwood High School, or Watkins Mill High School, and be planning to take a gap year before attending a two-year associate degree program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with a fall 2027 start. Student must submit a letter of recommendation, with approved eligibility, from at least one staff member who worked with them closely while in the GT/LD program (case manager, teacher, co-teacher, guidance counselor, MCPS staff and/or Paraeducator). The recipient will need to provide proof graduation from the MCPS High School.
Links and References
Application Link for Seniors planning to attend college
Application Link for who plan to take a gap year then attend college in Fall 2027
Link to Optional Application Worksheet
We recommend using this to formulate your responses in before actually submitting the online form.
Teacher/Staff Recommendation Form Student must have a letter of recommendation, with approved eligibility, from at least one staff member who worked with them closely while in the GT/LD program (case manager, teacher, co-teacher, guidance counselor, MCPS staff and/or Paraeducator). Each recommendation must be filled out by the staff member using the provided form and then uploaded to the application by the student when they submit their application.