Scholarship Information
Our Purpose
Cecil and Theresa Peacock founded The Ray Anthony Peacock Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of their son, Ray Anthony Peacock. Ray was an outstanding student at Burkeville High School. He graduated in 1977, and began to pursue a degree at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas; however tragically, in 1977 his life ended. His short life was marked by outstanding academic achievement and community work.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial aid for those students who, like Ray, strive for academic excellence and are committed to the community and public service. It encourages candidates to pursue their academic goals and to reflect on the needs of society and their role in creating a better future. The successful candidate(s) will be a graduating senior, who aspires to higher education upon graduation, exhibits excellent writing skills, exhibits a record of community or public service, and has a financial need.
Awarded scholarships are to supplement, but not duplicate benefits from the educational institution, foundations, institutions, or other organizations. The scholarship benefits tuition fees, room, and board, or books. Payments will be made directly to the institution of higher learning.
Eligibility
- Graduating high school senior in the state of Texas
- Planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college, university or vocational school
- Applicant must maintain a 3.0 or above high school grade average for college and university applications
- Applicant must maintain a 2.5 or above for vocational programs
Application Process
Please complete the application in its entirety. All applications must be submitted and received on or before midnight March 1 annually. The following materials must be submitted online.
- Completed online application
- Essay written by applicant (requirements below)
- Current transcript that includes a cumulative grade average
- Three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead with writer's contact information (address, phone number, email)
Applicant Essay Requirements
The essay must be a minimum of 750 words typed, 12-point font, double-spaced with one-inch margins. The essay must address the following:
- Illustrate your drive and self-motivation
- Indicate any community service involvement noting any leadership positions
- Describe your reasoning for applying for the scholarship
- Your proposed field of study and career plans
- Describe how your plans will help others or positively impact the community
Transcripts
- Provide a current transcript that includes a cumulative grade average.
Letters of Recommendations
Applicants must provide three Letters of Recommendation. Recommendations may be made by teachers, counselors, organization leaders or employers. A recommendation must include the name, address, telephone, and email contact information of the writer. Applicants must inform the person writing the letter of recommendations that he/she must address the following:
- Provide testimony to your aptitude, curiosity, and industriousness
- Demonstrate your maturity and seriousness
- Speak to your character and leadership ability
- Include other pertinent information about you that may not be readily apparent from test scores
Candidates must submit the application, essay, transcript, and letters of recommendation by the deadline. The committee will not consider late or incomplete applications for an award. The application evaluation process is based on a point system in the following areas:
- Required GPA
- Articulation of Goals
- Community Service
- Letters of Recommendation
- Quality of the essay.
Applicants may earn extra points through participation in fundraisers and volunteerism with The Ray A. Peacock Foundation.
The Foundation accepts scholarship applications annually from January 1 through March 1. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight on March 1.
Late applications will not be processed.
Participation and/or volunteerism at the annual The Ray A. Peacock Foundation’s Scholarship Annual event is strongly encouraged. This event is held the first Saturday of April and scholarships are presented at the event.
Thank you for your interest and participation in the Ray Anthony Peacock Scholarship application process.
Ray A Peacock Scholarship Online Application
Please complete the below application in its entirety. All information provided will remain confidential and will only be reviewed by the Ray A Peacock Scholarship Board Of Directors. If you have any questions concerning the application, please submit an email to: info@rapscholarship.com
Please submit your application and the corresponding documents at the same time by uploading the electronic copies of your documents when you submit the application.
“We regret to announce that scholarship applications for the 2024 school year through the Ray A Peacock Scholarship Foundation are now closed. We thank all applicants for their interest and encourage them to stay tuned for future opportunities.”