For DonorsFor Applicants

Make Me Laugh Meme Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 1, 2021
Winners Announced
Jun 1, 2021
Education Level
Any

When people ask what makes you laugh, what do you usually tell them?

Some say their siblings, others think of their best friend, and for others, they’re the memes they constantly see on the internet. 

For the past couple of decades, memes have emerged as laughter mechanisms in many corners of the world. They aren’t a new concept, though. 

When cinemas first became popular in the ’40s, it was not uncommon to see iconic lines from popular films posted all across major cities.

Today, creating and sharing original memes is easier than ever. To encourage students to share their love for hilarious memes, the Make Me Laugh Meme Scholarship will be awarding $1,000 to one student. 

To apply, you must submit one meme or funny picture and write a brief essay on why that meme/funny picture means something to you. 

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must: 

  • Be a high school senior or above
  • Be pursuing a 4-year degree in any subject
  • Hold at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Have volunteer experience or official employment
Selection Criteria:
Essay, Meme, Funny/Picture, Community Service/Employed
Published January 31, 2021
Essay Topic

What does this meme mean to you?

50–200 words

Winning Application

Breanna Hogan-Beckerle
Portland Community CollegePortland, OR
They say laughter is the best medicine, and this has rung true through my journey with psychosis. I was diagnosed almost three years ago with an unspecified psychotic disorder that flipped my life upside down and left me scrambling. I faced stigma and sometimes even disgust, horror, or extreme sadness from friends, family, and other loved ones. This left me with a personal hatred for my own mental illnesses and struggles; I felt alien and misconstrued by everyone around me. I was an enigma and got to a point where I didn't even want to be understood. And then, I was able to find something that resonated with me on a deep, personal level that left me laughing for the first time in months. A simple meme that described something I was going through, something that was terrifying, yet this meme was able to provide almost a feeling of empathy and understanding. While no one around me could relate or possibly understand what I was going through, this simple picture could capture my experience and turn it into something somewhat positive.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 1, 2021. Winners will be announced on Jun 1, 2021.