Need Help Paying For College? Calvert Optimist Club Is Offering $20,000 In Scholarship Money For 2026

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Optimist Club of Calvert County is offering a leg up to those looking for ways to pay for college this upcoming school year.

The Optimist Club of Calvert is a nonprofit organization. Their mission is to help kids in the local community with service projects, scholarships, and support for other youth organizations. According to their website, the Optimist Club of Calvert has supported numerous kids and projects in their 56 years. According to their website, they offer scholarships annually and are always eager to find new ways to support youth in the community.

This year, the club is offering four scholarships, totaling $20,000. The scholarships are open to all Calvert County residents in the current graduating class of a Calvert County high school. Applicants will be judged on their essay of future goals/statement of purpose, their character, citizenship, grades, community service, and financial need. The deadline for all scholarships is April 15.

Les Knapp ($8,000) and Jim King ($6,000) scholarships: First place will receive $8,000, or $2,000 per year for up to four years. Second place will receive $6,000, or $1,500 for up to four years. The scholarship must be used for undergraduate study at any college approved by the Optimist Club.

Andrew Jackson “Jack” Brown Jr. Scholarship ($3,000): Open to senior athletes. The winner will receive $3,000, or $1,500 per year for up to two years. Scholarship must be used for undergraduate study at any college, university, or trade/technical school approved by the Optimist Club.

Robert “Bob” Chaney Scholarship ($3,000): Winner will receive $3,000, or $1,500 per year for up to two years. Applicants must be accepted for vocational or technical training to a two-year program at an accredited trade or technical school, or at a college or university approved by the Optimist Club, with the goal of receiving a vocational certification or associate degree.

Interested applicants can learn more and find the forms for each scholarship on the Optimist Club’s website.

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