Elyssa’s Mission educates and screens teens on warning signs of suicide to help identify at-risk youth, link them to vital resources and ultimately prevent suicide. The Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Program takes this a step further. High school juniors and seniors are given an opportunity to share how they’ve put these lifesaving tools to work in their communities.
Congratulations to this Year’s Scholarship Winners! We are so proud of each and everyone of YOU!
Scholarship Program
The Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Program was created to acknowledge and award high school juniors and seniors who have taken the initiative to successfully apply the core principles of the SOS program, ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell), and make a real difference in their school and/or in their community.
Scholarship Award Eligibility Criteria
All high school juniors and seniors who have successfully completed the SOS Signs of Suicide Program are eligible to apply. We also accept submissions from juniors and seniors who have applied the ACT message with the goal of helping Elyssa’s Mission bring SOS to their school.
Submission Criteria
- Essay
- In your own words, describe how you have applied the ACT message on behalf of yourself or a friend/peer. (650 words or less)
- Artistic
- Submit a poem, painting, drawing, song and/or video, etc. accompanied by a brief description of how you have acknowledged and cared for a friend/peer and how your submission demonstrates your application of the ACT message. (650 words or less)
Scholarship Awards
The maximum amount that will be allocated this school year, 2025-2026, will be $20,000.00. The Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Committee reviews all submissions using a designated rubric. The committee selects the winners and designates each award amount. The number of scholarships awarded will vary each year.
Awards will be applied to tuition, books, and supplies for a community college, technical/vocational school, or 4-year college/university.
Scholarship applications for the 2025/2026 school year will be available starting Monday, December 15th, 2025, and end Monday, March 16th, 2026. Any portion of the application that is received after the due date will not be considered.
Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship award recipients will be notified by Palma Lacey no later than April 17th, 2026.
Terms and Conditions for Accepting The Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Award
Palma Lacey will send all Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Award recipients an Acceptance Form immediately following notification of their award.
To receive The Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Award, applicants are asked to meet the following criteria:
Provide a brief written description of what this scholarship means to you, which will be featured on the Elyssa’s Mission website.
Submit a photograph of yourself for inclusion on the Elyssa’s Mission website.
Acknowledge that your written description, and photograph may be featured in the Elyssa’s Mission Annual Campaign Letter.
Scholarship recipients are invited to share their submission at Elyssa’s Mission’s Annual Benefit held in the summer. Submissions may be presented in video format, with arrangements made at a time and location convenient for you, or it may be presented live in person.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions prior to submitting your application
Thank you for applying to our Scholarship Program. If you have any questions about the program, please email Palma Lacey, Elyssa’s Mission Scholarship Committee Chair.
palmalacey@elyssasmission.org