Create a Memorial Scholarship Fund

A scholarship in someone's name keeps their values alive through education. PayIt2 makes it simple to collect donations from community, friends, and family to fund a lasting educational tribute.

Start a Scholarship Fund
Stripe-secured • No monthly fees • Funds in 2-3 days

How Memorial Scholarships Work

A memorial scholarship is one of the most meaningful ways to honor someone who valued education. Unlike flowers that fade or donations to general funds, a scholarship directly changes a young person's life and carries the honored person's name forward for years or even decades.

Setting up a scholarship fund doesn't require a foundation or legal entity. You can collect donations through a PayIt2 campaign and then award the scholarship directly to a student, through a school, or through a community organization. Many families partner with a local high school, college, or trade school that manages the selection process and handles the award.

The most effective memorial scholarships reflect the person's passions. A teacher's scholarship might go to an aspiring educator. A mechanic's fund might support trade school students. A coach's scholarship might reward student athletes who demonstrate leadership. Connecting the criteria to the person's life makes the award personal and tells their story to each new generation of recipients.

Single award
$500 - $5,000
One-time scholarship awarded annually to a selected student
Multi-year fund
$5,000 - $25,000
Fund multiple years of awards from a single fundraising campaign
Book and supply grants
$200 - $1,000
Smaller awards for textbooks, supplies, or professional tools
Endowed scholarship
$10,000 - $50,000+
Invested principal generates annual awards in perpetuity

You don't need to raise the full amount before awarding the first scholarship. Many families start with whatever they raise in the first few months and grow the fund over time. Launch your scholarship campaign and build it year by year around meaningful dates.

For strategies on building a donor base that gives year after year:

Read: How a Thank-You Message Doubles Repeat Donors

Browse all Memorial campaign options

Related: Memorial Funds · Family Support

How It Works

1

Create the Scholarship Fund

Sign up and describe the person, their values, and the scholarship criteria. Set a goal based on how much you want to award. Your page is live in minutes.

2

Rally the Community

Share the link with friends, family, colleagues, and the broader community. Include it in the obituary, at the memorial service, and on social media.

3

Award the Scholarship

Funds deposit in 2-3 business days. Work with a school or community organization to select recipients, or manage the process directly.

Why PayIt2 for Scholarship Funds

Lasting Educational Impact

A scholarship carries the person's name forward through each recipient. It turns grief into opportunity for students who need financial support.

Annual Campaigns

Run a new campaign each year around a meaningful date. Build a tradition that keeps the community connected and the scholarship growing.

Simple and Transparent

No foundation required. Collect donations securely, track progress publicly, and direct funds exactly where they belong.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about memorial scholarship funds

No. You can collect donations through a PayIt2 campaign and award the scholarship directly to a student or through a school. Many families partner with a local high school or college that handles the selection process. If you want donors to receive a tax deduction, you can work with an existing 501(c)(3) organization like a community foundation to administer the fund.
Even $500 makes a real difference for a student. A $1,000 to $2,500 award covers textbooks, supplies, and a portion of tuition. Start with whatever you can raise and grow the fund over time. Many successful memorial scholarships started small and built through annual campaigns. The gesture and the person's name on the award matter as much as the dollar amount.
Define criteria that reflect the honored person's values: academic achievement, community service, financial need, or pursuing a specific field. Many families work with a school guidance counselor or a committee of friends to review applications. Keep the criteria simple and the application process short so students actually apply.
Absolutely, and this is one of the most powerful approaches. Launch a campaign each year around the person's birthday, the anniversary of their passing, or graduation season. Update donors with stories about previous recipients and the impact the scholarship has had. Annual campaigns build tradition and keep the community connected to the person's legacy.

Keep Their Legacy Alive Through Education

Set up a memorial scholarship fund in minutes. No monthly fees, no foundation required, no hidden costs. Funds in your bank in 2-3 business days.

Start a Scholarship Fund