Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation Scholarship

The mission of the Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation is to inspire and empower high school seniors to become future leaders and active members of their community by serving as swim coaches to youth and adults in their communities.

About the scholarship

The Charles B. Staats Memorial Foundation (CBSMF) Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior, who is also a swim coach.   The Scholarship is open to any student in the US who meets the criteria. The CBSMF Scholarship was specifically created to honor the love of coaching and acknowledge the importance of coaching in a swimmer's life.  CBSMF believes that the focus, dedication and hard work required by coaching translates to focus, dedication and success in other areas of life. The scholarship will be awarded to a well-rounded student who cares about academics and shows leadership in the community.  Most of all, we want a student who loves being a swim coach.  The CBSMF Scholarship award may be used towards the costs of:  tuition, books, room and board and mandatory school fees.  The Scholarship will be eligible for renewal each year in the same amount awarded in year 1, for up to a maximum of 4 years, contingent upon the student meeting the Board's annual conditions as outlined in the executed Annual Scholarship Agreement with student.  The anticipated award for 2026 will be $3,500.00 per year.

Application Criteria  PLEASE READ --NEW CLARIFICATIONS FOR 2026

• Completed Application via ScholarsApp.com (opens 1/31/2026)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (unweighted)
• Team Swim coach experience for at least 2 years (must be a swim coach the summer following high school graduation). Please note that a swim instructor and/or lifeguard does not alone qualify an applicant for this scholarship. This scholarship requires coaching on a team either as a head coach or assistant coach. This scholarship requires swim team management, including swim team management attendance and other team activities. Applicant must list specific coaching responsibilities. Applicant must identify name of swim team and telephone number and email address of a management representative of the team, either the head coach or team manager. CBS reserves the right to reach out and talk or send an email to the swim team representative about applicant's responsibilities as coach.
• One swimming reference letter (for example, from a swim coach or leader in community-no family members, please). This reference is required in order to be considered for the scholarship. We will not award a scholarship to an applicant who does not submit a swimming reference.
• One other reference letter (no family members please)
• Copy of SAT/ACT scores (in the event you are not required to take these exams, please upload a statement stating the requirement has been waived by your college or university)
• Official high school transcript (interim transcript is acceptable at time of application if final transcript is not available but no final scholarship award will be issued without a final high school transcript.
• Proof of Acceptance to an accredited 4-year college or university
• Note that the CBSMF Board reserves the right to request additional information from scholarship applicants in the event more information is necessary to determine a Scholarship recipient for the year.
• Amount of the 2026 Annual Scholarship Award will be determined at the CBSMF Board of Directors meeting in June of 2026;  the amount of $3,500/year is the anticipated award amount for the 2026 Scholarship.

2026 Timeline

• January 31st Applications Accepted
• May 27th Application deadline 5 p.m. E.S,T, NO EXCEPTIONS
• July 15 All Applicants will be notified of the Board's decision