GSMD Scholarship Program

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) Scholarship Program offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are Mayflower descendants and will be attending a four-year college or university or two-year community college.

Award Amounts:

• 1st Prize: $6,000
• 2nd Prize: $5,000
• 3rd Prize: $4,000
• Mary Chilton Winslow Scholarship: $2,400

Geographic Scope: Not specified; appears open to all qualifying applicants

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a graduating high school senior
• Be a Mayflower descendant with valid GSMD membership number (applicant or parent/grandparent/great-grandparent)
• Member must be active (not deceased, resigned, or dropped)
• Planning to attend a four-year college/university or two-year community college
• Must complete and submit all required materials by deadline

What is Evaluated:

• Class standing and GPA
• Extracurricular activities, sports, awards
• Community involvement
• Character and academic references
• Essay responses on the Mayflower Compact

Special Consideration:

• In the spirit of the Mayflower settlers, special consideration given to applicants who have demonstrated commitment to bettering themselves

Native American Scholarship: In 2024, GSMD added a Native American Scholarship for graduating high school seniors with proven descent to a Native American ancestor. Award amount: $1,300 each (2 awarded in 2025)

Contact Information:

• For Native American Scholarship: scholarships@massmayflower.org
• General inquiries: (508) 746-3188
• Address: 18 Winslow Street, Plymouth, MA 02360

Important Note: All communications must be from the applicant, not parents. Parent communications result in disqualification.

Application Process

Current Status: The 2026 application process is officially closed. Applications for 2027 will open at a future date.

Required Materials:

1. Completed application form
2. Official transcript (recent)
3. Essay (two-part essay on the Mayflower Compact)
4. Two required reference forms:
   • One teacher reference
   • One community reference
   • Both must complete the REQUIRED Reference Form provided by GSMD
   • Optional: Reference letters may also be included
   • Critical: References must submit forms by deadline or applicant is disqualified

Ancestry Requirements:

• Provide name(s) of Mayflower ancestor(s)
• Provide valid GSMD membership number for applicant or qualifying family member (parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent)
• Member must be active status

Submission Instructions:

• Submit all materials by the published deadline
• Late applications, incomplete materials, or missing references result in ineligibility
• Applicant is responsible for ensuring references return forms on time
• Upon receipt of reference form, student will receive acknowledgement email

Important Guidelines:

• All communications must be from the applicant (not parents)
• Parent communications will result in disqualification
• Submit complete, well-written applications to avoid last-minute issues