The INK! online scholarship portal is open and accepting applications from the Class of 2026.
Calling all Class of 2026 seniors in St. Johns County public schools — the INK! Senior Scholarship Program is officially open! This year, graduating seniors can apply for a variety of merit, arts, and needs-based scholarships valued at over $55,000 to support their next steps in college, vocational training, or career goals.
The applications portal is now open and will close on March 16, 2026. Apply online at apply.ink-stjohns.org.
Why Apply for an INK! Scholarship?
INK! manages a diverse portfolio of scholarships designed to help students pursue post-high school plans with fewer financial barriers. These awards provide meaningful support for academic or technical training after graduation and are tailored to recognize achievement, community involvement, career focus, and financial need.
Eligible applicants can compete for awards ranging from $1,000 to several thousand dollars, with some scholarships targeted toward specific interests or majors (e.g., education, ROTC, the arts).
Scholarship Timeline & Important Dates
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Application Open: February 2, 2026
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Application Deadline: EXTENDED TO March 16, 2026
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Awards Announced: April 2026
Make sure to submit before the deadline to be considered for all available scholarships.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, students must be:
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A Class of 2026 senior enrolled in a St. Johns County public high school
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Planning to enroll in a college, university, or vocational program after graduation
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Meeting any scholarship-specific eligibility requirements outlined in the application portal
A single online application gives students access to multiple scholarship opportunities — merit, arts-focused, and needs-based.
Application Tips for Success
To improve your chances:
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Start early: Draft essays and gather required documents before the deadline.
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Follow instructions carefully: Make sure to answer the appropriate writing prompts and upload the correct documents, when requested.
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Proofread: Clear, polished, well-written applications stand out to reviewers.
How to Apply
Visit the INK! scholarship portal at apply.ink-stjohns.org and complete your application online. The portal allows you to apply for multiple available awards with a single submission. Be sure to include all required documents and answer essay prompts thoughtfully.
Over $55,000 in Scholarships Available for the Class of 2026
Each scholarship may have its own submission criteria, including letters of recommendation, grade point average requirements, school attendance, and enrollment in a specific program or specialty.
Merit Scholarships
- The Jack Hamilton Wheeler Memorial Scholarships – This scholarship was founded in 2019, when Jack, who was a senior at Creekside, lost his life in a tragic car crash three days before Christmas. To honor Jack‘s memory, life, and legacy at Creekside high school, the Wheeler family has established a scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to graduating St. Johns County high school seniors pursuing higher education. In 2026, four scholarships will be awarded in the amounts of $6,000, $5,000, $4,000, and $3,000 for students pursuing college and/or vocational school enrollment in the fall semester of 2026.
- Tanner Gillespie Memorial Future Firefighter Scholarship – Launched in 2024, the Tanner Gillespie Scholarship honors St. Johns County graduate Tanner Gillespie, who passed away in 2023. His passion for the fire service inspired this scholarship, which will help others achieve their dreams by funding the primary cost of attending the First Coast Technical College Firefighter Program, including all tuition, required equipment, and book fees (approx. $3,800). Several scholarships are available for the Class of 2026.
- The Tucker McCarty Health Science Scholarship – The Tucker McCarty Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior enrolled in UF Health Academy of Medical and Health Careers at Pedro Menendez High School. One scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000.
- The David Toner Scholarship – The David Toner Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior enrolled in a St. Johns County public high school who will attend Florida State University in the Fall of 2025. One scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000.
- Rays of Hope Foundation Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship is funded by Radiant Credit Union’s Rays of Hope Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a St. Johns County Class of 2026 graduate who will be attending a vocational, technical, or trade school program.
- The MacDonald Family Education Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior enrolled at Bartram Trail High School or in the teaching academies at Creekside, Ponte Vedra, Tocoi Creek, or St. Augustine High Schools. The applicant must be a 2026 graduate who plans to pursue a post-secondary degree in Education to become a teacher. The applicant must also demonstrate a passion for teaching as well as the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
Arts-focused Scholarships
- The Marc Nathan DeBernardis Arts Scholarship – Launched in 2025, this scholarship of $3,000 will be awarded to a graduating Senior from Nease, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine High Schools, who plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in the area of Fine Arts. This scholarship is funded in loving memory of Marc Nathan DeBernardis, a 1999 graduate of Nease High School and 2004 graduate of Alfred University. Marc was a talented artist with a passion for creativity and self expression. The goal of the DeBernardis family is to inspire and empower young artists to follow their dreams and continue to share their gifts with the world, as their son and brother, Marc Nathan DeBernardis, did.
Needs-Based Scholarships – Reserved for Students who meet free or reduced-lunch income guidelines.
- Lieutenant Colonel Sally MacDonald Memorial Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Class of 2026 graduating senior who is an active member of a JROTC program in a St. Johns County public school and who plans to attend college to pursue a post-secondary degree. The applicant must have a minimum unweighted overall grade point average of 2.5. The recipient must plan to serve as an ROTC member while pursuing a post-secondary degree beginning the Fall semester of 2026, as well as demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
- St. Johns County Jumpstart Scholarships – Sponsored by INK!, this scholarship will be awarded to graduating seniors enrolled in St. Johns County public schools who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship value is equal to one year of tuition (30 credit hours or approximately $3,300) at a Florida public state college (i.e. St. Johns River State College or equivalent). The applicant must be a 2026 graduate at a St. Johns County public high school. The applicant must have a minimum unweighted overall grade point average of 2.5. Recipients must enroll a minimum of two college courses or a career program in a post-secondary program beginning in Fall Term 2026.
*We recommend that students who meet free or reduced-lunch income guidelines complete both a merit and needs-based application.
Merit & Needs-based Scholarships
- Dr. Wayne Hartley Memorial Scholarship for The Academies – Each year, up to six scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education in the fall term. Students must be enrolled in an Academy at one of the three eligible St. Johns County public high schools: A.D. Nease, St. Augustine, and Pedro Menendez. Each school will have one scholarship awarded based on academic excellence, and the other awarded based on financial need.
