Caroline Kelly OceanQuest Scholarship

As we enter the 5th year of the Caroline Kelly Memorial Education Fund, we are offering a new scholarship in all things maritime: Marine biology, Ocean Ecology, Marine engineering, Ocean-related Environmental Sciences, Seamanship, Navigation, Marine Sciences, and any other appropriate field.

Caroline was passionate about the environment and a lover of all things ocean. We feel this scholarship is befitting of her benevolence and her dreams for a better planet.

We are looking for students who seek to make a difference as to the health of the ocean and ergo, to our planet. Applicants must otherwise fulfill the parameters of the Fund and the awards will be made in Spring of 2024.

CKMEF scholarships can be applied for any time. However, scholarships are awarded for the Spring and Fall semesters only. The deadlines to apply are June 1 for Fall Semesters and November 1 for Spring semesters. Awards are made each year on July 31 and December 31.

This scholarship is intended for undergraduates and graduate students pursuing degrees in any and all fields who meet the criteria of the scholarship fund. This scholarship is designed to promote academic excellence and increases the visibility of talented students who meet the criteria.

• Scholarships are for eligible individuals enrolled in and attending a 2- or 4-year accredited institution.
• This scholarship must be used in the academic year awarded.
• This scholarship must be used for educational expenses only, which include tuition, room and board, textbooks,  e-textbooks subscriptions, educational supplies, and research supplies. Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the applicant’s institution.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 for the entire year of College and/or University enrollment. Any recipient whose GPA falls below 2.75 at any time during the school year can be, at the Fund’s discretion, dropped from the scholarship program and required to reimburse all funds.
• Recipients must not be under disciplinary sanctions.
• All recipients will be required for the period of one year, to submit progress reports about their progress to the Fund no later than one week after receiving evaluations from their Institute. Any individuals not submitting evaluations in a timely manner are subject to disqualification from the scholarship. Any conduct or acts of the applicant, that are detrimental to the image of the Fund are cause for disqualification, and any monies paid to the recipient shall be reimbursed to the Fund.

The shaded discrimination she encountered when she transitioned, made her acutely aware of the trials and tribulations a transgender individual must deal with. She knew that only through education could a transgender person attain respect, dignity and a higher station in life.

It was her request upon her death that the Carolyn Kelly Education Fund be formed to help underprivileged and transgender individuals attain their true potential no matter their station in life.