Dan Calugar Foundation Academic Achievement Merit Scholarships

Dan Calugar Foundation Academic Achievement Merit Scholarships is sponsored by Dan Calugar Foundation. Awards ten academic achievement merit scholarships each year to incoming college freshmen, recognizing academic achievement, motivation, and educational goals.

Daniel Calugar | Merit Scholarship Program Daniel G Calugar Foundation - Merit Scholarship Program Rewarding Exceptional Academic Achievers The mission of the Scholarship Program is to support exceptional students as they begin their college careers by recognizing outstanding academic achievement and helping reduce the financial barriers to higher education.

The Dan Calugar Foundation awards ten Academic Achievement Merit Scholarships each year to incoming college freshmen. Beginning with the 2027 fall term, each scholarship will provide $15,000 to be applied toward tuition at the student’s chosen college or university. The program aims to recognize academic excellence, motivation, and well‑defined educational and career goals.

Beginning September 1, 2026 we will begin accepting scholarship applications for high school seniors graduating in 2027 and entering college for the Fall term of 2027. Accordingly, please do not submit new scholarship applications until September 1, 2026. The scholarship amount will be $15,000 for scholarships awarded on and after September 1, 2026.

To apply for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria: Applicants must be US Citizens. A minimum score of 1500 on the SAT exam is required. “Super scores” (combining multiple test sittings) are not accepted.

Please submit a copy of your exam score with your scholarship application. The $15,000 scholarship check will be paid directly to the U.S. college or university at which the applicant enrolls full‑time, with a designation that the funds be applied toward tuition. Historically, all ten scholarships have been awarded by the end of September, so qualified applicants are encouraged to apply promptly.

Please submit an email to Scholarship@DanCalugarFoundation. org addressing the two numbered items below. Please submit each of these two items in separate PDF files.

There is no set minimum or maximum length for your submission. A statement of your career objectives, goals, and how your college experiences will contribute to their attainment. A well-reasoned response to the following topic: From 1950 to 2007, the annual average ratio of federal debt to GDP was 45%, and that ratio was 45% in 2007 as well.

In August of 2026, the US federal debt was approximately 125% of GDP. Is the current level of US federal debt to GDP, and the trend for that ratio to increase from 2007 forward, a problem that needs to be addressed? If so, how would you recommend that it be addressed?

If the current ratio and the trend over the past 15 years is not a problem, what level would you consider problematic and why? Elon Musk has suggested that only a massive, sustained increase in U.S. productivity—driven by AI and robotics—can grow GDP fast enough to make the national debt manageable. Do you feel Elon’s thesis on this point is valid?

Please note the year you plan to start college in your application email.

You do not need to have been accepted for admission at a college or university to be awarded a scholarship, but scholarship funds will only be forwarded to the Registrar or Scholarship Department of a college or university that has sent you a letter of admission to the fall 2027 term and our letter to the school will request that the funds only be used to cover your tuition.

You will need to email a copy of the admission letter to Scholarship@DanCalugarFoundation. org for your scholarship funds to be paid. After your scholarship check is mailed, we will also ask you for your permission to include your name, school of admission and your photograph on the “Previous Winners” tab of this website.

The Dan Calugar Foundation was established by Dan Calugar, a private investor and long-time supporter of educational opportunity. Dan created the scholarship program in 2021 to help high‑achieving students pursue their academic goals, with a particular focus on recognizing exceptional SAT performance among incoming college freshmen.

In addition to his philanthropic work, Dan has been an active volunteer pilot for many years, flying over 200 charity missions for the Angel Flight organization to support patients and families in need of transportation for medical care. History of the Scholarship Program The Dan Calugar Foundation Scholarship Program began in 2021 with the goal of supporting high‑achieving students as they enter their first year of college.

In its early years, the foundation awarded a small number of full‑tuition scholarships to selected recipients. Beginning in 2024, the program transitioned to awarding ten scholarships of $10,000 each year, an amount that fully covers tuition at many state universities and provides meaningful support even at higher‑cost private institutions. The scholarship amount will increase to $15,000 for awards made on and after September 1, 2026.

Each September, ten incoming freshmen are selected for the following fall term based on academic excellence, including a minimum SAT score of 1500. Recipient photos and school information are added to the website once enrollment is confirmed and scholarship funds have been sent to the student’s chosen college or university, as many students do not finalize their school choice until later in the academic year.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the Academic Achievement Merit Scholarship? The Scholarship seeks to recognize and reward academic excellence in incoming college freshmen. It also aims to provide support to driven individuals who possess well-defined career aspirations, fostering their educational and professional journey.

What factors will be used to select the scholarship winner? Scholarship recipients will be selected based on achieving a minimum SAT score of 1500, along with a comprehensive assessment of their academic accomplishments, stated goals, and objectives as presented in their application statement. Additionally, a well-considered response to the essay question will contribute to the evaluation process.

Where do I submit my essay? Please submit your scholarship application and essays to Scholarship@DanCalugarFoundation. org You should submit two separate essays: • One addressing your career goals • One discussing the US federal debt When is the application deadline for the scholarship?

For the fall 2027 term, the Foundation is awarding ten $15,000 scholarships. Applications for the 2027 fall term will be accepted on and after September 1, 2026. Since there is a limited number of scholarships awarded, you are encouraged to apply early.

Historically, we have awarded all ten scholarships during the month of September. Do I need to provide a letter of acceptance from a college to apply for a scholarship? No, you do not need to provide a letter of acceptance from a college at the time of application.

If you are selected as a recipient, we will coordinate to ensure the scholarship award is sent to the correct university. If I am chosen as a winner, how much time will I have to designate a college to send the funds to? You will have sufficient time to designate the college to which the scholarship funds should be sent.

We will work with you to ensure everything is arranged properly. What sort of copy of my SAT score should I submit? We request a PDF score report for your SAT score.

The University of Illinois Colorado State University The University of California at University of Pennsylvania University of California, Oklahoma Christian University Christopher Newport University University of California, Berkeley