Greetings!
The DCEF 2023-24 Scholarship portal will be open between January 1-27, 2023. Visit our website regularly for updates. Below is a list of current available scholarships. In addition, here are a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help maneuver students thru the application portal.
Student FAQ's
I forgot my password. Can you reset it for me?
All users are responsible for their own passwords in the system. If a student has forgotten their password, they can click the “forgot password” link on the logged-out view of the AwardSpring website. They will be asked to enter their email address and then will receive an email that will help them reset their credentials.
Why am I getting a message that says “This email address does not exist.”?
If an applicant tries to enter their email on the “forgot password” page and gets this error message, it means that they have not yet created an account. The applicant will need to create an account by clicking the register button. If the student is sure that they have created an account, they might have mistyped their email address.
Why can’t I submit my application?
Applicants need to have completed all questions in each section of the application. Students can see their progress in each section in the left hand side of their application where a status is displayed (Not Started, In Progress, Completed) Once they have completed each section they will be able to submit their application.
I am getting an error message, what should I do?
When an applicant gets an error message or is having another technical issue, please contact DCEF at [email protected] We will contact the technical support team to troubleshoot.
Kindest Regards,
Angelia O'Neal
Executive Director
Douglas County Education Foundation
[email protected]
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Click here to be directed to the scholarship application portal.
Betty Hilton Scholarship
The Betty Hilton Scholarship is offered to students planning to major in health care. Ms. Hilton attended Miami-Dade Community College - Medical Campus and has been a Medical Records Technician and Director for over 40 years. She believes individuals should take ownership of their own health, and she wants them to have access to well-trained health care professionals.
Ms. Hilton encourages, inspires, and mentors many individuals pursuing a health care profession. She shares with them the same message she shared with her children: a good education, diligence, and having good character pave the way for better opportunities in life. The scholarship was established in 2018 by Carmilla Hilton, daughter of the namesake. ($500)
Ms. Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship
The Billie Yancey Memorial Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors planning to major in engineering or the health care field. This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Billie Yancey Estate. Ms. Yancey, a lifelong Douglas County resident, was a 1944 alumna of Douglas County High School and 45-year employee of C&S Bank in Atlanta. Because this scholarship is endowed with annual awards made from interest earnings only, it will exist for generations to come serving students while at the same time paying tribute to its namesake. (4 scholarships of $1,000 each)
Captain Herb Emory Memorial Scholarship
The Captain Herb Emory Memorial Scholarship was established in 2016 to provide scholarships to students pursuing a journalism or broadcast journalism degree. Captain Emory will forever be an icon in Douglasville and throughout metro Atlanta. He hosted a NASCAR racing show for 16 years and was a longtime WSB Radio and Channel 2 Action News traffic reporter. He spent many hours a week in a helicopter over metro Atlanta providing helpful traffic news to commuters. Prior to his work with WSB Radio/TV, he wrote for the Douglas County Neighbor and Atlanta Journal Constitution newspapers. Captain Emory received numerous professional recognitions through the years, including induction into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2008. He volunteered countless hours with many not-for-profit service organizations, hosting more charity events than any other WSB personality. Because of Captain Emory's passion for serving his community, applicants of this scholarship must be current active volunteers with at least one not-for-profit Douglas County service organization.
Captain Emory passed away unexpectedly in 2014. His wife of 24 years, Karen Emory, a community volunteer and activist who serves her community as diligently as her husband did, established the scholarship to pay tribute to her late husband and to encourage, recognize, and financially assist a new generation of journalists. ($1,500)
Carmilla Hilton and Crystal Hilton Scholarship
Carmilla Hilton and Crystal Hilton are both educators in the high school and elementary school setting. Carmilla Hilton has been named Teacher of the Year four times. Crystal Hilton is a mathematician and Instructional Coach. Established in 2016 by Carmilla Hilton, this scholarship is to promote skills to overcome challenges in life if you apply yourself. It is open to graduating seniors planning to pursue an education or STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) major. ($500)
Don Remillard Scholarship
The Don Remillard Scholarship was established in 2010 in honor of retiring Douglas County School System Superintendent Don Remillard to fund scholarships for Douglas County Performance Learning Center (PLC) students upon their graduation from the program. In 2019, the scholarship was opened to graduates from the College & Career Institute in addition to PLC. There is no minimum grade point average required for applicants. Mr. Remillard spent his entire career of 38 years in Douglas County. He began his career as a math teacher at Douglas County High School and held numerous leadership positions in the school system including Assistant Principal and Associate Superintendent of General Administration before becoming Superintendent in 2003. Mr. Remillard was instrumental in starting the PLC. Mr. Remillard served on numerous not-for-profit Boards and was a founding member and former president of Chapel Hill Kiwanis Club. He received numerous awards including being named "Citizen of the Year" in 2010 by the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and was named a "Friend of the (DCEF) Foundation" in 2016. Mr. Remillard was a dedicated member of the DCEF Board from 2010 to 2017, including serving several terms as Chair. (2 scholarships of $500 each)
Douglasville Gymnastics and Cheerleading Club Scholarship
Douglasville Gymnastics and Cheerleading Club has been in business in Douglas County since 1987, providing quality sports programs for Douglas County youth. Paige Etheridge is the founder and owner and has been a resident of Douglas County since 1978. “I am a product of the Douglas County School System, having attended Burnett Elementary School, Stewart Middle School, and Lithia Springs High School,” said Ms. Etheridge. “It is my pleasure to give back to students in the school system that I was part of.” This scholarship requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and is open to students pursuing any major. ($500)
Hometown Scholarship
The Hometown Scholarship was established in 2016 to recognize and financially reward graduating seniors who attend kindergarten through 12th grades in Douglas County School System (DCSS) schools. Should all factors be considered equal among qualified applicants, preference will be given to students who attended Eastside Elementary School. The scholarship was established by Amy and Mike Shadix, DCSS alumni and lifelong Douglas County residents. Mrs. Shadix has worked in the DCSS for 23 years, currently serving as media specialist at Eastside Elementary School. Her mother, Mary Faye Otwell, taught at the same school for 24 years, thus the desire to give Eastside Elementary School applicants preference if all other factors are considered equal. By requiring the Hometown Scholarship applicants to have attended Kindergarten through 12th grades in DCSS schools, Mr. and Mrs. Shadix are showing their genuine commitment to DCSS and the Douglas County community. ($1,000)
Juanita Williams Memorial Scholarship
The Juanita Williams Memorial Scholarship was established in 2016 by family members to pay tribute to their loved one while at the same time helping students follow in her footsteps "to give back to others by participating in creative educational endeavors and celebrating diversity." The scholarship is open to students at all five high schools. Students applying for this scholarship do not have to major in education but must plan to pursue a career in education. They must write a paragraph on "Diversity and Me" describing how they view themselves in a multi-cultural society and how they celebrate diversity.
Ms. Williams is described as being spirit-filled, loving, charming and having integrity, stamina, tenacity, courage, and strength. She was born in Warm Springs, GA, but later moved to Tulsa, OK where she graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Master's degree in Junior College Education and History. She taught and held administrative positions in the Tulsa Public School System for 33 years. She received numerous accolades including being named Teacher of the Year in 1984 and receiving A Salute to Excellence award in 1994. Ms. Williams was appointed by three Oklahoma Governors to the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission where she served twice as Chair of the Commission. She received a commendation for her service in 2002 from Governor Frank Keating. Ms. Williams was dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement, and was given two-years leave by the Tulsa Public School System Superintendent to join the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center as a Program Associate/Educational Consultant. Working directly with Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Ms. Williams developed programs for the King Center such as "Celebrating Excellence in Diversity K-12" and "Think and Learn". Mrs. King and Mrs. Christine King Farris became Ms. Williams' honorary Godmothers. Ms. Williams worked full-time for the King Center for two years and as a consultant for 22 years. ($500)
Kathryn Milner Shehane Memorial Scholarship
The Kathryn Milner Shehane Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 to pay tribute to Ms. Shehane, a former Douglas County School System Superintendent, and to assist graduates from the five high schools in the Douglas County School System. After Ms. Shehane passed away in 2015, her longtime friend and former colleague, Ms. Harriet Morgan, established this scholarship with DCEF. DCEF is particularly honored to administer the Kathryn Milner Shehane Memorial Scholarship since Ms. Shehane was instrumental in the organization's founding in 1993, known then as the Public Education Trust. Applicants must plan to major in education. ($1,000)
Mario West "Defend the Dream" Scholarship
The Mario West "Defend the Dream" Scholarship was established by former Atlanta Hawks NBA player and Douglas County High School Alumnus, Mario West. The scholarship is open to all Douglas County High School graduating seniors. Applicants must read the "Defend the Dream" book authored by Mr. West. The book is available at Douglas County High School library. Upon completion of reading the book, students must submit an essay describing their future educational and career goals. Although the book is very easy to read, it is recommended that students check out the book early! (4 at $1,500 each) **Deadline to apply for this scholarship is February 28, 2023**
Contact Counselor Shay Barnby at [email protected] at Douglas County High School for more information.
Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship
The Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn, and Judge Dan P. Winn Memorial Scholarship was established with DCEF in 2016 through a charitable fund created from the estate of Judge Dan P. Winn. Judge Winn wanted his estate to create a charity to honor his parents, Frank M. and Mary Peace Winn. Mrs. Winn, incidentally, was a teacher for the Douglas County School System. The charitable fund is administered by local attorney and community leader, Frank C. Winn, son and grandson of the namesakes. Academics and financial need are primary determining factors for this scholarship. (5 at $1,000 each -- one per high school -- renewable up to four years, pending satisfaction of requirements)
Reverend Alvertis Hilton Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2016 by Carmilla Hilton to recognize and financially assist graduating seniors planning to pursue a theology or STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) major. The scholarship also pays tribute to Ms. Hilton's beloved father, Rev. Alvertis Hilton. Rev. Hilton was a great husband, father, war veteran, master electrician, and pastor. Rev. Hilton had a deep passion for education, and this scholarship continues his legacy for learning. Youth are encouraged to follow their passion, and pursue their dreams. Regardless of hardships, with determination and perseverance any person can be victorious over the obstacles of life. ($500)
The Winston Legacy Scholarship
The Winston Legacy Scholarship was established in 2019 to provide recognition and financial support to graduating seniors must have attended Winston Elementary School (WES) for at least three years. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and may pursue any major. The Winston Legacy Scholarship was established by Tina Joiner who attended WES as a student and later taught fifth grade there for 23 years. Mrs. Joiner resigned in 2019 to pursue business opportunities with her family. Through this scholarship, Mrs. Joiner demonstrates her continuing commitment to WES, the school system, and the community. ($500)
Listing the scholarship funds above is not a guarantee they will be awarded. The foundation reserves the right not to award from one or more of the scholarship funds mentioned above.
Click here to be directed to the scholarship application portal.
Contact DCEF Executive, Director Angelia O'Neal at [email protected] with questions.