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Scholarship Applications Process

Applying for the Scholarship:

2026 Application is now live!

1. Complete the online application:

Click for Application

2. Submit two (2) additional documents:

  •  One (1) letter of recommendation from a professor or direct supervisor. The recommendation letter must be received either on the Letter of Recommendation Form or on official letterhead. 
Download Letter of Recommendation Form
  • Applicant’s sealed, certified academic transcripts. Transcripts must be an official copy, and sealed physically or electronically by the registrar of your institution. 

If you have questions, please contact scholarship@pdxmex.com.

3. All required documents are to be postmarked by May 31, 2026.

These documents should either be emailed to scholarship@pdxmex.com or mailed to:

Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund,

200 SW Market Street, Suite 190

Portland, OR 97201

Selection Process

The recipients of the Merchants Exchange Scholarship will be selected by the Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and rewarded to outstanding individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • The applicant’s chosen field of study must be in the Maritime Field and/or International Trade, and must enrolled in a 4-year, 2-year institution, Graduate degree program, or US Coast Guard (USCG) certified program.
  • The applicant must be entering the appropriate year of study of an eligible program:
    • 4-year Degree Students: The applicant must have completed the minimum credits and/or hours equivalent to one (1) academic years and must be a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior at a US-accredited institution of higher learning or at a USCG certified institution.
    • 2-year Degree Students: The applicant must be accepted to, or currently pursuing a degree (in your first or second year) in a 2-year program at a US institution of higher learning or at USCG certified institution.
    • Graduate Degree: The applicant must be accepted to, or currently pursuing a graduate degree a program at a US accredited institution of higher learning or at USCG certified institution.
    • Maritime Training Program (short course): The applicant must be accepted to, or currently completing training or certification in a program of less than two years, at a USCG certified institution.
  • The applicant must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or the school’s equivalent rankings.
  • The applicant must demonstrate academic achievement and have exemplary qualities in personal character. Financial need may be considered if other factors are equal.

Administrative Process

The Merchants Exchange requires the academic institution to administer the scholarship within the following guidelines:

  • The scholarship will be remitted to the institution by the Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund by September 1st, and may be renewed annually upon approval.
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA (or the school’s equivalent ranking), regular class attendance, and course completion standards must be maintained for the student to remain qualified.
  • Carry-over funds from one (1) year to the next is acceptable.
  • If scholarship is not fully utilized, the unused funds may be given in the form of a scholarship to an alternate student based on the selection process outlined above.

Deadline

For applications to be qualified:

Entries must be submitted between December 15, 2025 (12:00 am PST) and May 31, 2026 (11:59 pm PST). 

Please note: Any application package without a letter of recommendation, and/or sealed official transcript postmarked by the scholarship deadline will be deemed incomplete and ineligible for consideration. 

Notification

All Applicants will be notified by the end of September. 

Awards

The number of awards and amount of funds distributed each year is determined by the Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund Board of Directors. Scholarship award amounts may vary based on merit, scoring and funds available each year. Recent scholarship awards have ranged between $1,000- $4,000, and can be used for tuition, fees, and books. Previous scholarship recipients are able to reapply.

Education Resources

Numerous educational and training opportunities for maritime professionals, as well as associations.

Click here to learn more!

Questions? Contact us!

Association Administration

Margerie Vis, Association Director

Email: scholarship@pdxmex.com

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

A complete application consists of the online application, letter of recommendation by a professor or supervisor and an official transcript. These documents can be emailed to scholarship@pdxmex.com or mailed to:

Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund
200 S.W. Market Street, Suite 190
Portland, OR 97201.

All documents must be postmarked by May 31.

Yes, please notify scholarship@pdxmex.com before sharing an official digital copy of your transcripts. Transcripts must be sent directly by your registrar or other secure sender. Please note we cannot accept unofficial copies of transcripts, include screenshots. If you have any questions please email scholarship@pdxmex.com or ros@pdxmex.com.

No, the grant will be sent directly to the recipient’s school. Award monies will be transferred to the school by September of that year. 

Awarded recipients of the scholarship can use the money towards tuition, fees and books.

Scholarships awards are made at the discretion of the Board, based on the merits of the applicants. Past awards have been between $500 – $3,000. 

The Merchants Exchange Scholarship application opens December 21, 2023, and is due on or before May 31, 2023.

The scholarship is a single-year award. However, if the funds were not all used in the same academic year, the funds can roll over to the next year. Additionally, previous recipients are allowed to reapply. 

All applicants, recipients and non-recipients of the Merchants Exchange Scholarship, will be notified by the end of September.

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS:

Yes, all students in any year of a graduate program of any length (related to the Maritime Industry and/or International Trade) are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Yes. The applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent ranking from your institution.

No. Only students entering their junior or senior academic standing at 4-year colleges/universities are eligible. We hope you will consider applying later in your academic career.

Yes. Freshman (or first-year) or sophomores (or second-year) students in two year programs are eligible.

The Merchants Exchange Scholarship is specifically designed for students seeking a career in the maritime industry, or with a career, that influences the maritime industry.

Yes. The Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund is only available to students studying at US accredited institutions and/or US Coast Guard certified institutions of higher learning.