the herk foundation Scholarships
for 2026 Graduates
Thank you for your interest in the Herk Foundation and its scholarships: Fred Earl Jones Memorial Scholarship and the Lion Legacy Scholarship. The mission of the foundation is to provide opportunities for young people to be enriched by music through empowerment of educational music programs, scholarships, and grants. Please read all the application information and best wishes in your future endeavors. For questions or comments, please contact Calandra Jones-Howard, Founder and President of the Herk Foundation, via email at [email protected].
Fred E. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1000 (see application for details)
Eligibility:
Requirements:
Deadline
Application may be submitted by mail or online, and must be received by April 30, 2026. Mail-in applications should be postmarked no later than April 28th in order to meet the April 30th deadline. The online submission must be completed through the website by 11:59pm on April 30, 2026. Please review all important details before completing the application. Applications postmarked or received after the deadline will not be eligible for consideration.
All Information is provided in the Scholarship Application Packet.
Eligibility:
- Must be a student attending a Mississippi Public School in one of these counties: DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate, or Tunica
- High School Senior with at least a 2.5 GPA
- Planning to attend a college or university full-time
- Must major or minor in Music, Education, and/or Subject Area with Teacher Licensure
- Satisfactory Conduct
Requirements:
- A complete application form.
- High School Transcript
- One letter of recommendation - Band / Music Director, Teacher, or Individual (non-relative)
- Media Release Form
- One page essay (1 inch margins, 12 font, Title)
- Music applicants: How music impacts my life?
- Education applicants: How do I plan to make a difference as an educator?
Deadline
Application may be submitted by mail or online, and must be received by April 30, 2026. Mail-in applications should be postmarked no later than April 28th in order to meet the April 30th deadline. The online submission must be completed through the website by 11:59pm on April 30, 2026. Please review all important details before completing the application. Applications postmarked or received after the deadline will not be eligible for consideration.
All Information is provided in the Scholarship Application Packet.
Fred E. Jones Memorial Scholarship provides college financial assistance to deserving students with majors in music and/or education. More information below.
Congratulations to our 2025 Fred E. Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Divinity Phillips of Lake Cormorant High School.
Congratulations to our 2025 Fred E. Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Divinity Phillips of Lake Cormorant High School.