John Lepping Memorial Scholaship
Scholarship Sponsored by Lep Foundation for Youth Education
Introduction
The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Lep Foundation for Youth Education, a public charity that provides financial support to students who live in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania and are pursuing further education.
Purpose and Award
This scholarship supports qualified students who are continuing their education at a postsecondary institution. Awards may be granted up to $5,000. The scholarship honors John Lepping’s admiration for students with disabilities who persist in completing their college education despite significant challenges. The fund aims to help offset college costs for disabled applicants who may face heavy medical expenses and limited financial resources.
Who May Apply
- Applicants must be permanent residents of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.
- The scholarship is intended for individuals with disabilities, including but not limited to physical conditions (for example, spinal cord injury, limb loss, congenital defects) and psychological or developmental conditions (for example, autism, post-traumatic stress).
- If selected as a recipient, you will be required to provide confirmation of disability documented by a physician’s letter. Do not submit this physician’s letter with your initial application; it will be requested after award notification.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated academic effort and achievement, shown by official academic records.
- Acceptance for admission to a higher education program (college, university, community college, or vocational school).
- Evidence of eligibility under the disability categories described above.
All grades and academic claims must be verified with official documentation.
Required Application Materials (all items required for consideration)
- A one-page essay describing your disability and explaining how it creates financial hardship for you and/or your family. Include your educational and career goals and future ambitions.
- A copy of your school transcript (official documentation required).
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are not family members.
Format requirements: Submit all materials in DOC format only; JPG files will not be accepted. All listed materials must be received for your application to be reviewed.
How to Apply / Deadline
Email the complete application packet by May 1, 2026 to: [email protected]. Because of the large number of applications received, only those selected to receive an award will be notified.
Payment Procedure and Conditions
- Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school — payments cannot be issued to a student under any circumstances.
- Awards may be applied toward cost-of-attendance expenses.
- To receive payment, the recipient’s school must send a completed Verification of Enrollment form to the Lep Foundation office. Once received, the foundation will issue a check made payable to the school and mail it to the institution to be credited to the student’s account. The student will be informed when the check has been mailed.
- It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the school and the foundation regarding any matters related to the scholarship award.
Deferral Clause
Failure to enroll in school for the next academic year will affect the award; recipients who do not attend as scheduled should contact the foundation for instructions.