By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Applications are now open for the MLK Jr. Scholarship Fund, which offers college scholarships of up to $16,000 to high school seniors who live or attend school in South Seattle. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic promise, have overcome obstacles, and actively contribute to their community.
“The mission of the scholarship fund is grounded in the vision and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The scholarship aims to help deserving students achieve the dream of a higher education,” said Annika Grever, co-chair of the scholarship committee. “The scholarship seeks out students who live or attend school in South Seattle who show financial need and academic promise, have overcome obstacles, and who contribute to their community.”
Grever emphasized the role of community involvement and local philanthropy in keeping the fund alive.
“The scholarship fund primarily relies on individual donations. When the fund was started 40 years ago, it was started by a group of neighbors passing a hat around a living room to combine their contributions,” said Grever. “Now the majority of our donations come via check or donations on our website following an annual appeal letter that goes out by mail in November each year.”
The fund also receives support from small family foundations and corporate donations from neighborhood businesses.
Grever, who joined the scholarship committee in 2019, said the effort represents the strength and solidarity of the South Seattle community.
“I grew up in the Mount Baker neighborhood and attended Franklin High School. This scholarship fund was created over 40 years ago, around the time that the MLK holiday was established,” said Grever. “The fund has been sustained primarily by individual contributions from the community and volunteer efforts, and has supported over 300 students since 1985. This effort is a powerful example of how community members can come together and support each other to do our part to contribute to equity and opportunity for all community members.”
While the fund originally focused on supporting underrepresented students in South Seattle, recent changes to federal law have affected how eligibility criteria are defined. However, Grever said the mission remains unchanged.
“Unfortunately, due to changes in federal laws, we are no longer able to describe the scholarship as supporting underrepresented groups or use race and ethnicity as part of our scholarship criteria,” said Grever. “However, the scholarship continues to be grounded in the values and vision of Dr. King and aims to support the college dream for those who have overcome adversity, support their community, and demonstrate potential to be future leaders in our community.”
The application period opened on Dec. 1, 2025. During this two-month window, applicants complete an online application that includes several short essay questions. They must also submit supporting documents, including a high school transcript and a letter of recommendation.
“Once they submit their application, College Success Foundation works to confirm eligibility and provides training to volunteers from our committee as we prepare to read and score applications,” said Grever. “Awards are typically announced in early May, and we will have an award ceremony event for the class of 2026 recipients at the Mount Baker Community Club on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 7 p.m.”
To spread the word, the scholarship committee works closely with Seattle Public Schools, parent groups, and community organizations.
“We share information about the scholarship with school counselors, administration, and when feasible the PTSA to help spread the word about the scholarship opportunity and eligibility criteria,” said Grever. “Additionally, we use PeachJar, Seattle Public Schools’ digital flier-distribution service, to distribute information directly to families who attend schools in our eligibility zone.”
Outreach also includes local libraries, community centers, and youth-serving organizations, and the committee continues to look for new ways to promote the opportunity.
“We are always seeking ways to promote this scholarship opportunity and encourage students who meet the criteria to apply,” said Grever.
For many recipients, the financial support offered by the scholarship eases a significant burden, allowing them to fully focus on academics and future goals.
“The financial assistance has not only been a great help to me throughout my journey in college so far, but has also forwarded my confidence in the right direction,” said Malachi, a scholarship recipient currently in college. “It has allowed me to focus strictly on my education and build knowledge and skills without worrying about the burden of high-cost student loans or other expenses while aspiring to pursue higher education.”
Malachi said the scholarship helped fuel an interest in law and advocacy.
“Over the past couple of months, while studying on campus, I have discovered a strong passion for law and seek to advance my knowledge of understanding and applying the United States Constitution,” said Malachi. “I also learned recently that in America, Black lawyers make up only 5 percent of the total job population. Of this, 3 percent are Black men, and less than 2 percent are Black women. With your support and belief in me, I have made it my consistent goal to grind hard academically and socially to be added to that Black attorney statistics rate despite what the discouraging low percentage represents for African American people because I came to realize that the only person who can stop me is myself.”
Another recipient, Fraole, shared how the scholarship helped provide stability during college.
“This scholarship significantly impacts my future aspirations. As a first-generation student studying information systems at the University of Washington, it provides me with the financial stability to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities,” said Fraole. “I am determined to leverage my education to make a meaningful contribution to my community and the broader society.”
Fraole also found opportunities to lead and build community during college.
“I had the privilege of serving as the vice president and co-founder of the East African Student Association, where we aimed to create a supportive community for East African students,” said Fraole. “Additionally, I have been a board member for Black at Foster, where we work to foster an inclusive environment for Black students within the Foster School of Business.”
For more information or to apply, visit collegesuccessfoundation.org/scholarship/martin-luther-king-jr-scholarship. The deadline to apply is Jan. 30, 2026.
