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The scholarship process is open from September 15 to January 15.
​Students are notified of their awards in mid-May.

Mensa Foundation Scholarships​

Each year, the Mensa Education & Research Foundation (MERF) gives out scholarships to aspiring students. 

Contestants do NOT have to be members of Mensa. The only requirement will be that winners will need to provide proof of enrollment in a degree program at an accredited institution of post-secondary education for the school year following the contest. 

Awards will not be based on need, race, age, sex or year of school (not just freshmen). 

Contestants must submit an essay of up to 550 words describing their career, vocational and/or academic goals. Judging will emphasize a goal statement that includes specific information on experience or steps taken toward the goal, persuasiveness (for example: how your past achievements, experiences and future planning increase the probability of reaching your goal); why you think that you will succeed; and also grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

Mensa Foundation (MERF) Scholarships 

Unrestricted MERF scholarships:
  • J. F. Schirmer Scholarship - $1,000.00 
    Best in competition.
  • Jerry Salny Memorial Scholarship - $600.00 
    Next best in competition that did not receive another national award or Mensa Member award.
  • Joe Zanca Scholarship - $600.00 
    Next best in competition that did not receive another national award or Mensa Member award.
  • Grosswirth - Salny Scholarship - $500.00 
    Two awards per region.
  • Kuhnel Scholarship - $500.00 
    One award per region.
  • Foundation Trustees' Award - $500.00
    For the region with the highest percentage of local group participation as judged by the percentage of groups who complete on time according to the rules of the competition, transmitting all the required paperwork.
  • Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship - $300.00
  • Karen Cooper Memorial Scholarship - $300.00

This MERF scholarship is for Mensa Members Only:
Mensa Member Award - $1,000.00 
Must be a current, dues-paid American Mensa member, or an IRS dependent of a current, dues-paid American Mensa member.
Restricted MERF scholarships
  • David Mann Scholarship - $1,000.00 
    Study of aeronautical engineering or an aerospace field.
  • Greg Timmers Arts Education Scholarship - $600.00 
    Fine Arts that can include applied arts such as architecture, photography, ceramics and textiles
  • Harper Fowley - Isolated M Award - $600.00 
    Study for an undergraduate liberal arts degree (B.A. or A.A.).
  • Helen Kupper Scholarship - $600.00 
    For a student pursing a degree in the Fine Arts. 
    Lester London Award - $600.00 
    Graduate study in history.
  • Margie Mandelblatt Award - $1,000.00 
    Study in journalism.
  • Margot Seitelman Memorial Scholarship - $1,000.00 
    Graduate student who plans a career in professional writing or teaching English grammar and/or writing.
  • Rita Levine Memorial Scholarship - $600.00 
    For a female returning to school after any absence of seven or more years – may be re-enrolled at time of application.
  • Rosemary Greathouse Scholarship - $600.00 
    For a student pursuing a degree in the Arts, including creative writing and journalism.
  • The Skinner HELL’s M’s Memorial Scholarship - $500.00 
    Interpersonal communications, mediation, or related study
  • The Sylvia Scholarship - $600.00 
    Pursuing a degree in the Natural Sciences or Mathematics.
  • Walt and Mary McGrew Scholarship for Veterans - $600.00 
    For a veteran.

Lone Star Mensa Scholarships

Lone Star Mensa awards two $500.00 scholarships in our local area, and qualified entries from our local area compete for regional and national prizes. 

Entrants must reside in the Lone Star Mensa area (which includes Austin, Waco, Bryan/College Station, Temple/Belton, San Marcos, Llano and Marble Falls - click HERE for the Lone Star Mensa group boundaries).

One $500 scholarship is open to the public and the contestant does not need to be a member of Mensa.  
One $500 scholarship is limited to Lone Star Mensa members only.

Just like the Mensa Foundation Scholarships:
Awards will not be based on need, race, age, sex or year of school (not just freshmen). 
Contestants must submit an essay of up to 550 words describing their career, vocational and/or academic goals. 
For more information please visit the Mensa Education & Research Foundation website or contact our Scholarship Chair, Doug Williams. 

Lone Star Mensa Area Scholarship Recipients

2014-2015
MERF National Scholarship Awards
Rita Levine Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Zappitello of Austin, TX
     Click HERE for the winning essay
Region 6 Scholarship Awards
Karen Cooper Memorial Scholarship
Baylee Glover of Luling, TX
     Click HERE for the winning essay
Lone Star Mensa Scholarship Awards
Katherine Kykta 
     Click HERE for the winning essay
Vicente Kaufhold
     Click HERE for the winning essay

2013 - 2014
Karen Cooper Memorial Scholarship: Angela Meyer
Grosswirth-Salny Scholarship: Corinne Alford
Sylvia Scholarship: Michael Treglia 

2012 - 2013
Karen Cooper Memorial Scholarship: Kristin Young
Kuhnel Scholarship: Emily Finkelstine 

2011 - 2012
Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship: Ariel Godwin
Grosswirth-Salney Scholarship: Kathryn Bowman
Kuhnel Scholarship: Alicia Morgan Lyles
Harper Fowley Isolated M Award: Abigail Cain 

2010 - 2011
Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship: Britt Brandon
Rita Levine Scholarship: Andreea M. Hamilton 

2009 - 2010
Karen Cooper Memorial Scholarship: Pete Karagozian III
Lester London Award: Kyle Goyette
David Mann Scholarship: Alexis Avram 
2008 - 2009
Local Scholarship: Christina Robbins
Margot Seitelman Memorial Scholarship: Audra K. Roach 

2007 - 2008
Local Scholarship: Jerome Kwaku Adu-Gyan
Rita Levine Memorial Scholarship: Annemarie Redelmeier
Region 6 Kuhnel Scholarship: Denise Bakken

More Region 6 Scholarship Winners HERE