The recipients of the Merchants Exchange Scholarship will be selected by the Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and rewarded to outstanding individuals who meet the following criteria:

• The applicant’s chosen field of study must be in the Maritime Field and/or International Trade, and must enrolled in a 4-year, 2-year institution, Graduate degree program, or US Coast Guard (USCG) certified program.
• The applicant must be entering the appropriate year of study of an eligible program:
  • 4-year Degree Students: The applicant must have completed the minimum credits and/or hours equivalent to two (2) academic years and must be of Junior or Senior standing at a US-accredited institution of higher learning or at a USCG certified institution.
  • 2-year Degree Students: The applicant must be accepted to, or currently pursuing a degree (in your first or second year) in a 2-year program at a US institution of higher learning or at USCG certified institution.
  • Graduate Degree: The applicant must be accepted to, or currently pursuing a graduate degree a program at a US accredited institution of higher learning or at USCG certified institution.
  • Maritime Training Program (short course): The applicant must be accepted to, or currently completing training or certification in a program of less than two years, at a USCG certified institution.
• The applicant must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or the school’s equivalent rankings.
• The applicant must demonstrate academic achievement and have exemplary qualities in personal character. Financial need may be considered if other factors are equal.