Leo H. Brooks Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation of Central Georgia

About Leo H. Brooks

Leo H. Brooks was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, on September 13, 1932. After graduating from Bainbridge High School, he studied physical education at Florida State University and Troy State University, earning his degree from Troy State in 1959; he later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Mississippi College in 1966. He taught social studies and coached athletics at Coffee High School in Douglas and Mark Smith High School in Macon before serving for more than 24 years as an administrator in the Coffee County School System. After 33 years of service, he served two four-year terms on the Coffee County Board of Education, including five years as chair; he died in 2014 at age 81.

• Brooks had a lifelong interest in supporting educational opportunities for young people.
• He was married to Beth Childs Brooks; their daughter, Lunday, is married to Kevin Buffington, and they have three grandchildren: Brooks, Lillie, and Eva.

Scholarship Purpose

Description: Established in recognition of Brooks’s lifelong commitment to education, the scholarship supports the educational pursuits of students in the Coffee County Public School System. It provides college scholarships to graduates of the public school system in Coffee County, Georgia. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, fees, supplies, and room and board.

• Supports college education for eligible Coffee County public school graduates.
• Covers specified education-related costs, including room and board.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of Coffee High School or another public high school operated by the Coffee County Board of Education. An initial award is limited to graduating seniors and recent graduates who will begin college or university in the fall term immediately after high school graduation. Recipients must attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university full time and, after beginning college, maintain satisfactory academic progress and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. Continued eligibility ends upon college graduation or after four and one-half academic years of college education, whichever comes first.

• Initial applicants must plan to enroll in college for the fall term immediately following high school graduation.
• Renewal recipients must meet their institution’s satisfactory progress requirements and maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
• A student may miss no more than one semester or quarter per academic year; the Foundation may waive this limit for qualifying hardship, illness, or disability.
• Eligibility may continue until graduation or completion of four and one-half academic years, whichever occurs first.

Selection Criteria

Assessment: Applicants are evaluated on academic merit, personal character, financial need, and potential to succeed. Academic merit means that a student is average to above average scholastically. Potential may be demonstrated through grades, overcoming adversity, and participation in school, community, or religious organizations.

• Scholastic merit
• Personal character
• Financial need, with priority for initial awards given to students who are not eligible for the HOPE scholarship
• Potential to succeed

Application Requirements

References: Applicants must provide the names and email addresses of two people who have agreed to submit recommendations. One reference must be a teacher, school staff member, or other adult who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities. The other must be a community member, volunteer advisor, or other influential adult who can attest to the applicant’s community spirit.

• Ask both references for permission before providing their email addresses.
• Notify references after submitting the application; the recommendation request will be emailed to them at that time.

Award and Renewal

Award Value: The award amount varies and may be up to $2,500 annually. One award is offered each year, with preference given to renewal applicants. Prior recipients may renew the award in subsequent years, for up to four years of their education, provided they complete all follow-up requirements assigned by the CFCG Scholarship Director and continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Renewal Considerations: Recipients who no longer meet the eligibility criteria or need to take time off or reduce their course load because of unique circumstances should contact the Community Foundation. The Foundation can determine whether continued funding may be available.

• Up to $2,500 annually; award amounts vary.
• One award is offered per year, with preference for renewal applicants.
• Renewal requires completion of assigned follow-ups and continued eligibility.