Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship

If you're considering going to school, and are a Meijer team member or a child of a Meijer team member, consider applying for the Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship - you could receive one of numerous $5,000 and $10,000 awards.

who should apply?

Meijer Team Members and Children of Meijer Team Members with continuous service since March 2025.

timeline

December 1: Online application opens

March 2026: Application deadline, 5PM EDT

what you'll need to provide

1. Your name and contact information

2. Your Meijer EMPLID (or your parent's, if you are a child of a team member)

3. Where and why you're going to school

The Fred and Lena Meijer Scholarship is a private scholarship fund established by Fred and Lena Meijer in 1975 for children of Meijer team members and enhanced in 2010 to include Meijer Team Members. The scholarship is for undergraduate study at an educational institution or training school within the United States. Scholarship awards are determined by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, a non-profit agency. To be considered for an award, the application form must be completed and submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST, March.

The number and value of scholarships awarded annually varies depending on the number of applicants and the income available each year. The scholarships are competitive and can only be awarded to a limited number of applicants based on regulations set forth by the IRS for Corporate Scholarship Programs. Scholarships are not renewable; however, recipients may submit a new application each year and will be considered as a new applicant during the selection process.

Eligibility Requirements

For the year for which the application is being submitted, the applicant must be either:

1. A current Meijer Team Member with an employment start date on or before March 2025, who has been employed full-time or part-time by Meijer, with continuous service, and will be attending college/university or technical school either part or full-time.

2. A dependent child (natural, legally adopted, or step-child) of a current Meijer Team Member with an employment start date on or before March 2025 who has been employed full-time or part-time by Meijer, who will be attending college/university or technical school full-time.

3. A dependent child of a former Meijer Team Member who worked full-time or part-time for Meijer for at least one year, but whose employment was terminated due to death, retirement, or total and permanent disability, who will be attending college/university or technical school full-time.

The scholarship cannot be used to complete a graduate-level program. Children of Meijer company officers, board of directors, or shareholders are not eligible for a scholarship.

Selection

The determination of the scholarship recipients will be within the sole discretion of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Board of Trustees, based on the advisory committee's recommendations. Meijer team members and officials do not participate in the decision-making process.

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation will consider (inclusively) academic or technical achievements, financial need, special circumstances, and participation in school and community-based activities/organizations in the selection of scholarship award winners.

All awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin.