A.C. “Kate” & Leo Joseph Merlone Scholarship Fund

About this scholarship

The A.C. “Kate” & Leo Joseph Merlone Scholarship Fund is one of the named opportunities matched through the Saginaw Community Foundation’s common scholarship application. It supports full-time graduating high-school seniors and current undergraduate or graduate students who will attend a Michigan college or university, as well as applicants pursuing eligible Career and Technical Education training. Every applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a member of a Catholic church in Saginaw County. The Foundation evaluates the scholastic record and essay at 25 points each, leadership and recommendations at 20 points each, and community involvement at 10 points. For the 2027 cycle, the Foundation’s official guidance states that the portal opens November 1, 2026 and closes February 12, 2027, correcting the February 13 date shown by some directories. The common application asks for a recent transcript, an unrelated reference who can address academics, achievements, or character, and a seven-question essay section covering educational and career goals and experiences in the community or at home. Applicants must also include any scholarship-specific membership verification requested in the portal. Award amount and number are not published in advance, so they are correctly listed as variable rather than estimated from older recipients.

Eligibility

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Attend or plan to attend a college or university in Michigan, or pursue eligible Career and Technical Education training
• Enroll full time
• Be a graduating high-school senior or a current undergraduate or graduate student
• Be a member of a Catholic church in Saginaw County
• Upload a recent school transcript
• Provide an unrelated reference through the common application
• Complete the seven-question scholarship essay section and any required church-membership verification
• Submit the online application between November 1, 2026 and February 12, 2027