CMP to present over $325K in scholarships to high school seniors

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced it will award over $325,000 for the 2025-26 school year through its annual scholarship program.

Each year, high school student-athletes involved in marksmanship programs are encouraged to apply for CMP scholarships — a program that lends economic support to young marksmen and women who have shown dedication on and off the firing line.

One-time CMP shooting sports scholarship amounts of $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000 will be awarded, along with select four-year recurring $5,000 scholarships ($20,000 per awardee). These scholarships may be used to pursue postsecondary or vocational programs, community colleges, or university educations, as well as trade schools, to cover a variety of interests.

Also from CMP: Sign-ups underway for 2025 Junior Rifle Camps

The Garand Collectors Association has presented four additional $5,000 John C. Garand Scholarships, and the family of Michael Thomas Randall has contributed three $5,000 scholarships. The Talladega Superspeedway has also provided a sum of $5,000 toward the CMP scholarship program.

Recipients will be determined by the scholarship committee after carefully reviewing each application. Such items evaluated by the committee include:

• Leadership experience
• Past and present rifle or pistol competition history, awards, involvements, and future expectations for the sport
• Extracurricular activities
• Personal statement of how receiving a scholarship will impact the applicant's future

A minimum GPA is not required to apply, though academic achievements will be considered when awarding scholarships. Students may submit the necessary applications and associated documents via an online source as a convenient organizational hub.

Since 2005, the CMP scholarship program has presented scholarships to high school seniors based on merit, humanitarian efforts, extracurricular activities, and marksmanship participation. Over the years, the CMP has added $3,000 and $5,000 scholarships, as well as four $20,000 scholarships awarded to the top applicants. These scholarships honor past notable CMP board members Judith Legerski, Jon Bengston, Harry Sieben, and the late Dr. Carolyn Hines, who were all devoted to sustaining youth activities.

Along with scholarships for marksmanship athletes, CMP community scholarships will be presented to students located near CMP’s facilities in Anniston and Talladega, Alabama, as well as Port Clinton and Oak Harbor, Ohio. For those local scholarships, no marksmanship experience is required.

The deadline to apply for CMP scholarships, with all documentation submitted, will be April 4, 2025. Applicants who receive a scholarship will be notified by May 16. Find more information on CMP’s scholarship program and apply at thecmp.org/youth/cmp-scholarship-program.