Civilian Marksmanship Program Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

For high school seniors passionate about marksmanship and seeking financial assistance for their further education, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) scholarship presents a valuable opportunity. This article provides a detailed overview of the CMP scholarship, its requirements, and other related scholarship opportunities for students.

CMP Scholarship Overview

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) offers scholarships to encourage and reward outstanding efforts of junior marksmen. These scholarships are one-year awards that can be used to fund any accredited secondary education, technical/trade school, or vocational program. In 2025, over $325,000 will be awarded through the CMP Scholarship Program.

CMP Scholarship Details for 2025-2026

The CMP Scholarships may also be used to pursue a post-secondary education during the upcoming school year. The scholarships are paid directly to the scholarship recipient, and the check may then be used to pay other fees or expenses that are not covered by other awards or grants.

Special Awards

In 2025, the CMP will present four $5,000 scholarships that will be renewable for four years, resulting in a total value of $20,000 for each scholarship.

The "Carolyn Hines Memorial Scholarship" will be awarded to the top graduating senior who best exemplifies Dr. Hines’ ideals.
Three additional scholarships will be awarded to top seniors to commemorate the retirement of longtime CMP Board members Judith Legerski, Jon Bengston, and Harry Sieben, who were all devoted to sustaining youth activities.

Generously, the Garand Collectors Association has presented four additional $5,000 John C. Garand Scholarships, while the family of Michael Thomas Randall has contributed three $5,000 scholarships for the Michael T Randall Memorial Scholarships.

The Scholarship Program will also award CMP Local Scholarships in the Anniston, Alabama; Talladega, Alabama; Port Clinton, Ohio; and Oak Harbor, Ohio areas. Seniors are encouraged to apply, and no marksmanship experience is required to apply for the CMP local scholarships.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CMP scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a graduating high school senior.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Be of good moral character.
Demonstrate acceptance to a university, college, or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification.
Demonstrate marksmanship competition experience (this includes air gun, smallbore, pistol, rifle, shotgun, archery, etc.).

Application Requirements

A complete CMP scholarship application must include the following:

A completed application form.
A certified copy of the applicant’s high school transcript.
A letter from the applicant including the reasons for applying and how the scholarship will help in pursuit of the applicant’s goals.
Additional documentation of proof of marksmanship activity.

Application Deadline

Your scholarship application must be completed by April 4, 2026.

Contact Information

For any questions, please contact Dana Lynd at (419) 635-2141, ext.

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Scholarship recipients must respond by returning the confirmation form by July 1 to confirm that they accept the scholarship and to provide contact information for the college, university or vocational school where they will enroll.

The scholarships are paid to the scholarship recipient but must be countersigned by the financial aid offices of the college where the student is enrolled.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

While the CMP scholarship is specifically for student marksmen, numerous other scholarships are available to students of all backgrounds. Here are a few examples:

"Be Bold" Scholarship: This no-essay scholarship, offered by Bold.org, awards $10,000 to the applicant with the boldest profile.
Scholarships360 “No Essay” Scholarship: This scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
ScholarshipPoints: ScholarshipPoints has partnered with CampusReel to provide new users with an opportunity to win a $10,000 scholarship.
LeverEdge Association Scholarship Program: The Scholarship is open to all residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 17 or older at the time of entry.
StudentScholarships.org Scholarship: Anyone who is between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2026 can apply for this scholarship.
Christian Connector Scholarship: The Christian Connector offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.

Tips for Finding and Winning Scholarships

While scholarships are often referred to as “free money,” they require effort to obtain. Here are some tips to increase your chances of winning scholarships:

Consider your strengths: Every student has skills, interests, experiences, or characteristics that may make them an attractive candidate for one scholarship or another.
Research scholarships: Look for scholarships that align with your strengths and interests.
Start early: The scholarship application process can be time-consuming, so start early to avoid feeling rushed.
Pay attention to detail: Follow the application instructions carefully and ensure that all required documents are included.
Proofread your application: Before submitting your application, proofread it carefully for any errors.
Tailor your essays: If the scholarship requires essays, tailor them to the specific scholarship and highlight your relevant skills and experiences.

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