Important Information
& Deadlines
The 2024-2025 Application has Closed!
March 1, 2024 - Application Deadline
April 16, 2024 - Scholarships are Awarded
June 22, 2024 - Jazz On The Green reception for award recipients
The 2025-2026 Scholarship will open December 1, 2024
African-American high school seniors planning to attend college, technical, or vocational school
Cumulative grade point average between 2.0 and 2.9
Commitment to community
Potential to do well in college, technical, or vocational school
Step #1
Complete online application.
Step #2
Postmark your official transcript and two letters of recommendation by March 1st to:
Anna V. Waters Scholarship Fund
c/o C. Waters-Hassan
3700 Campfield Road
Baltimore, MD 21207
Awards
Scholarships will be awarded in varying amounts, ranging from $500-$2,000. Award recipients will be recognized at our annual event in June. Awards may be used for books, fees, or tuition.
Recipients will need verification of enrollment and registration no later than August 31st. All scholarships will be sent directly to the institution and dispersed in two equal parts during the fall and spring semesters.
Recipients may reapply for additional awards after satisfactory completion of one semester at a postsecondary institution.
The AVWSF Gladys Combs Award
The Gladys Combs Scholarship is sponsored by Craig Combs in honor of his mother whose laser focus on the importance of using education to solidify one’s future propelled him and his siblings into college and successful careers.
This year we will award two $1,100 scholarships in the name of Gladys Combs to two students attending an HBCU and majoring in Education.
The Marshall Eddie Conway Scholarship
This scholarship honors the life of Marshall “Eddie” Conway (1946–2023), a Baltimore native revered nationally and internationally for his community and prison activism. A former member of the Black Panther Party, Eddie was unjustly incarcerated for 44 years. During that time, he earned two college degrees, established literacy and mentoring programs for inmates and young men in our community, and worked to create and improve prison libraries.
AVWSF will present this award to a student who completes high school in Baltimore City and attends a historically black college or university (HBCU).
The Kats Family Scholarship in Entrepreneurship
The Kats Family Scholarship presented by AVWSF, was established upon the belief, “that entrepreneurship is an equal opportunity field, and successful business owners must inspire others by working to improve the world.” The Kats family has joined AVWSF in our mission to encourage and support our students as they grow into leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and role models.
The Kats family has elected to extend this scholarship to African-American students completing high school with a 2.0-2.9 GPA, and some business or entrepreneurship experience.
The Copes Family Scholarship
The Copes Family Scholarship is sponsored by the Copes family in honor of their family members who have passed on. Like grains for wheat that fall on the ground and produce a rich harvest, people who demonstrate a commitment to family and community make positive ripples that impact generations long after their physical lives end.
This year we will award two or more $500 scholarships to students attending an HBCU who have demonstrated a commitment to family and/or community.