Ben Carlson Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ben Carlson Foundation

Introduction
The Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (BCMSF) awards three $20,000 scholarships to honor the memory of Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson, who lost his life in the line of duty on July 6, 2014. Ben was known for his tireless work ethic, devotion to the ocean, compassion, athletic ability, and academic achievement. Through these scholarships the Foundation seeks to build a lasting legacy of scholarship, ocean safety, and community service.

Who is eligible
Applicants must satisfy every item below to be considered:
- Have experience either currently or previously in a junior lifeguard program OR have worked as an open-water lifeguard (river, lake, or ocean). Note: pool lifeguarding and pool certifications do not qualify.
- Intend to enroll as a full-time undergraduate at a four-year college or university for the 2026–2027 academic year pursuing a first bachelor’s degree. Students planning to attend community colleges, trade schools, or graduate programs are not eligible.
- Be a current high school senior or an undergraduate student (graduate students are ineligible).
- Demonstrate qualities reflecting Ben Carlson’s character: strong work ethic, independence, academic promise and rigor, athleticism, and commitment to community service.
- Maintain the minimum GPA requirement: high school applicants — unweighted minimum 3.2; current college undergraduates — minimum 3.0 while enrolled full time. Finalists will be required to supply official transcripts, so report your academic record accurately on the application.
- Before scholarship funds are released, recipients must provide proof of admission and a registration confirmation or class schedule that shows enrollment in an adequate unit load for the 2026/2027 year.

Application and selection process
- Application opens January 1, 2026.
- Submit your application through the BCMSF online portal by February 1, 2026 (deadline — portal closes).
- As part of the application, upload a resume and write an essay (maximum 700 words) describing how you embody Ben Carlson’s qualities and outlining your educational objectives.
- Transcripts: The selection committee may request transcript verification. High school applicants should include first-semester transcripts; college applicants should submit their high school transcript plus any college transcripts they have.
- The top five applicants will be invited to an oral interview with the BCMSF Board; those interviewees must bring official transcripts to their interview.
- Final award decisions are made by the Foundation based on the application materials, essay, transcripts (if requested), and interview performance (for finalists).

Award details and purpose
- The Foundation will present three scholarships of $20,000 each to selected recipients in memory of Ben Carlson.
- Awards support undergraduate study at four-year institutions and are intended to promote academic excellence, ocean safety awareness, and philanthropic involvement.

Timeline (key dates)
- January 1, 2026 — Application period opens
- February 1, 2026 — Application deadline (online portal closes)
- April 2026 — Finalists notified; oral interviews for top five scheduled (finalists must provide official transcripts at interview)
- May 2026 — Scholarship recipients announced
- July 2026 — Scholarship Dinner Event (venue to be announced)

If you have questions about eligibility, required documents, or the application process, contact the BCMSF through the application portal or the Foundation’s official contact channel.