Salute to Scholars
Education was very important to Vincent, as he fulfilled a promise he made to his parents by completing his college degree after his professional football career came to an end. With that in mind, the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation operates the Salute to Scholars program annually. Through the program, graduating high school seniors who are dependents of an active duty, retired, or deceased member of the military are eligible for scholarship awards to be used toward their secondary education. The scholarship application is open to graduating seniors at any Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County high school in Tampa Bay, FL, as well as graduating seniors at any high school in Colorado Springs, CO.
Scholarship recipients may be attending a four-year university, vocational school, or community college. Students attending any of the service academies are not eligible to apply. Four scholarship recipients will be selected in Tampa Bay, FL, and four scholarship recipients will be selected in Colorado Springs, with recipients in each state receiving scholarships in the amounts of $3,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $500.
In 2019, the foundation announced an expansion to our existing Salute to Scholars program to include scholarships for veterans and retired military entering the civilian workforce. Since then, we have annually assisted veterans and retired military members who need to finish a degree, complete a continuing education course, or achieve a certificate/complete a certification course in order to keep or obtain a job in the civilian workforce. In 2022, the scholarship program was expanded to include all military spouses, including active duty, retired, and veteran status, so military spouses may apply for scholarship funds as well. The Jackson in Action 83 Foundation will award a total of three one-time scholarships in the amounts of $2,500, $1,000, and $500 to retired military/veterans or military spouses in either Tampa Bay, FL or Colorado Springs, CO. Funds will be sent directly to the institution/organization that the recipients are enrolled in, so no checks will be distributed directly to the honorees.
The Salute to Scholars application period opens in February of each year with recipients announced in late May. Check back during that time for access to the scholarship application.
