Unlocking Educational Dreams: The 1 For 2 Education Foundation Scholarship

The 1 For 2 Education Foundation offers a transformative scholarship program designed to empower students and foster a "pay it forward" ethos. By providing financial assistance and a supportive network, the Foundation aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are committed to making a difference in their communities. The Foundation's founders credit their higher education for the opportunity they had in life and are determined to pay-it-forward in an innovative way. These successful entrepreneurs each had their lives transformed by their education.

Scholarship Overview

The Foundation will provide scholarships worth up to $25,000 to at least two (2) applicants. For the 2020-2024 academic years, the Foundation granted a diverse group of students up to $20,000 annually to each scholar to attend both public and private colleges and universities across the United States. This significant financial support can alleviate the burden of tuition costs, allowing students to focus on their studies and personal development.

Eligibility Criteria

Several criteria determine eligibility for the 1 For 2 Education Foundation Scholarship. Applicants must be living in the United States and the college or university they attend must be located in the United States.

Residency Requirement: Applicants must be living in the United States, and the college or university they attend must be located in the United States.
Enrollment Status: This scholarship is designated for full-time enrollment status only.
Type of Institution: Yes, this scholarship is restricted for use at four-year colleges and universities.

Renewal and Maintenance

To renew or maintain the scholarship, recipients must provide proof of full-time student status and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher each semester. This requirement ensures that scholars remain committed to their academic success.

Selection Criteria

The Foundation considers each applicant’s personal alignment with the Foundation’s values; their high school academic record, leadership and community service activities, letters of recommendation, and their commitment to fulfilling their pledge to the Foundation.

The "Pay It Forward" Model

The Foundation’s unique scholarship program employs a “pay it forward” model that encourages scholars to take responsibility for their education. This innovative approach instills a sense of ownership and encourages scholars to contribute to their communities and support future generations of students. We the scholars are not just involved in a program to obtain financial aid. The Foundation opened a bright path for us to grow as well rounded persons. I know that in the future, our success will inspire other scholars to pursue their education.

The Annual Gathering

While receiving a scholarship from the Foundation, scholars are required to attend the Foundation’s annual scholar retreat. Selected recipients will have the chance to attend the Foundation’s annual Gathering at no cost, where they’ll meet other scholars, alumni, and directors, and participate in personal development and learning sessions. During this time, scholars will have a chance to meet other scholars, alumni, and advisory members. They will also participate in personal development and learning sessions aimed at preparing them to achieve their academic, career, and life goals.

Important Dates and Application Information

Based on previous application cycles, we expect this scholarship to reopen in December 2026. Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are closed now. We expect to complete our review of applications for 2025-2026 cycle and begin scheduling interviews in March of 2026.

The Foundation's Visionaries

The 1 For 2 Education Foundation is guided by a dedicated team of leaders with extensive experience in education, business, and community service.

Dr. Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran

Dr. Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran was the president of Kalamazoo College, for eleven years before retiring in 2016. She previously served as vice president and dean of the college at Salem College (North Carolina) and held teaching and high-level administrative positions at Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. During her tenure at Kalamazoo, she led the most successful fundraising campaign in the college’s history to support scholarships, endowed professorships, capital projects, and the creation of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. Under her leadership, the institution heightened trustee and alumni engagement, completed new construction and campus renovations, revised the curriculum, and made considerable strides toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive campus.

Dr. Sue Johnston

Dr. Sue Johnston, BA, MSW, LICSW, has practiced as a psychotherapist for over 30 years, specializing in the treatment of stress disorders, psychological trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. She provides stress/traumatic stress consultation and intervention services to hospitals, emergency service departments (police, fire and EMS) and nonprofit organizations. For seven years, she was the Clinical Director of the Metro Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and, in that capacity, coordinated interventions for the first responders to the 35W bridge collapse. She is a national trainer for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

John T. O’Shea

John T. O’Shea serves as a Director of Wealth Planning Strategies for TIAA, where he provides wealth transfer, estate and tax planning services for clients with the most complex needs. His estate and tax planning knowledge allow him to provide specialized advice and sophisticated planning strategies to high net worth families on every aspect of their financial lives. John has more than 25 years’ experience in estate and tax planning. John is located in St. Louis, and works primarily with clients in the West and Midwest. Prior to joining TIAA in 2004, John practiced law as a Principal in the law firm of Suelthaus & Walsh, P.C. in St. Louis. During his 12 years in private practice, he focused on tax planning strategies, sophisticated estate planning, real estate, and corporate matters. He has experience with wills and trusts containing complicated tax and dispositive provisions, family limited partnerships, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, charitable trusts, and other planning devices. John is active in a number of professional and civic organizations, including the Missouri Bar, Illinois Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Estate Planning Council of St. Louis. John is a frequent author for TIAA publications and digital content. His writing provides TIAA participants with plain-English explanations and examples of recent tax and/or law changes, as well as with more specific financial planning strategies to consider as a result of those changes. John is also a frequent lecturer for TIAA.

Richard S. Creager

Richard S. Creager is a recognized diagnostics new product development (NPD) and business leader who has a passion for building high-performance global teams and using their expertise to deliver breakthrough products and build successful businesses. Richard has diverse experience developing new products, new technologies and new business models for diagnostic, laboratory services and B2B companies. He has developed new businesses that range from $25 million to more than $1 billion in annual sales. In addition, he managed large innovation teams and business units and has significant experience in developing market strategies, product and technology pipelines, portfolio management, licensing and development partnerships. Using his expertise in organizational design, talent management, product development, program management, and quality & design control systems, Richard works with companies to achieve the dexterity they require to get ahead of their competitors. Dr. Creager is the former chief science officer and executive officer for Beckman Coulter. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology and earned his Ph.D.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

While the 1 For 2 Education Foundation Scholarship offers significant support, students are encouraged to explore other scholarship opportunities to maximize their financial aid.

"Be Bold" Scholarship: The "Be Bold" Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. It takes less than 2 minutes to apply.
ScholarshipOwl: ScholarshipOwl is your source of relief from the dreaded application process. We put students on the fast-track to success by providing direct access to the scholarships they need the most.
Scholarships360 “No Essay” Scholarship: The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
Niche Scholarships: Niche can help with every step of the college search including paying for it.
Christian Connector Scholarship: The Christian Connector offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
StudentScholarships.org Scholarship: Scholarship Eligibility:A) Anyone who is between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2026.B) This scholarship is provided by StudentScholarships.org.

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