COAG Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia

Description
**What the COAG Scholarship is**
The Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia (COAG) offers an annual scholarship to Georgia high school seniors (or qualifying GED recipients) based on an anonymized essay review. The scholarship emphasizes knowledge of county constitutional officers and their daily duties. Essays are evaluated anonymously by the COAG Scholarship Committee and winners are selected for award disbursement in person.

Key takeaways:
- Annual scholarship for Georgia seniors (or qualifying GED recipients).
- Selection is essay-based and conducted anonymously.
- Winners receive awards payable in person.

Eligibility
**Who may apply**
The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens who are Georgia residents and graduating high school seniors (or GED 1 equivalency holders with dates from Dec 31, 2024 through May 31, 2026) planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in Georgia. Applicants must be citizens of both the United States and the State of Georgia and must be seeking a baccalaureate-level undergraduate degree (not certificate, diploma, or advanced degrees). Meeting these eligibility criteria is required before an application will be considered.

Key takeaways:
- Must be a U.S. and Georgia citizen and a Georgia resident.
- Eligible if a high school senior graduating by spring 2026 or GED 1 dated within the specified range.
- Must intend to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited Georgia institution.

Essay Requirements
**Formatting and disqualification rules**
The essay must be exactly 1,000 words, typed, double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point on 8.5" x 11" white paper, and include a separate title page. Handwritten essays, incorrect formatting, or essays that include identifying information (applicant name, home city/town/county, or the high school) will be disqualified. Essays must be original, factually accurate, free of copyrighted material, and written in English.

Key takeaways:
- 1,000 words, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt, with a title page.
- No handwritten submissions or identifying information allowed.
- Original work only; factual accuracy and copyright compliance required.

Essay Topic & Interviews (2026)
**Topic and interview guidance**
The 2026 essay topic asks applicants to interview a county constitutional officer (Clerk of Superior Court, Probate Judge, Sheriff, or Tax Commissioner) and describe their daily duties, motivations for running, and additional insights gathered. Applicants should contact the officer’s office to schedule an interview; post–COVID-19 interviews may be in-person, by phone, or virtual. While you may reference the office and the role, do not include the names of elected officials or the name of the county in your essay.

Key takeaways:
- Interview one county constitutional officer and report on duties and motivations.
- Interviews may be in-person, phone, or virtual—schedule with the officer’s office in advance.
- Essays may reference the office but must not name officials or the county.

Application Submission & Deadlines
**How and when to submit**
All required materials must be emailed in a single message to coagdirector@gmail.com by midnight on the March submission deadline (confirm the exact date on the COAG scholarship page). The single-email submission must use the subject line: “2026 COAG SCHOLARSHIP SUBMISSION.” Submissions sent through local constitutional officers or in multiple emails will not be accepted.

Key takeaways:
- Submit all documents in one email to coagdirector@gmail.com.
- Use the exact subject line: “2026 COAG SCHOLARSHIP SUBMISSION.”
- Verify the exact March due date on the COAG website and meet the midnight deadline.

Selection, Award Terms & Publicity
**Review process and award rules**
The COAG Scholarship Committee reviews essays anonymously and selects winners based solely on essay content. All essays become the property of COAG, and winners’ names may be released for promotional or media purposes. The scholarship winners will be announced by April 17, 2026, and scholarship funds are payable to winners in person.

Key takeaways:
- Committee selects recipients based on anonymized essay evaluation.
- Essays become COAG property; winners’ names may be publicized.
- Winners announced by April 17, 2026; payment made in person.

Application Packet Checklist
**Exact items to include**
Prepare one complete packet and attach it to the single submission email. The packet should contain: the original scholarship application form, the title page, the 1,000-word essay (meeting all formatting rules), a copy of the acceptance/enrollment letter from an accredited Georgia higher-education institution, and a copy of Georgia residency proof (GA driver’s license or state ID). Include originals where requested and photocopies as specified.

Key takeaways:
- Include application form, title page, and original 1,000-word essay.
- Attach proof of acceptance/enrollment from a Georgia accredited school.
- Provide a photocopy of GA driver’s license or state-issued ID as residency proof.

Contact
**Questions and support**
Direct all questions and any need for clarification to Dr. Reagan Pritchett, Executive Director of COAG, at coagdirector@gmail.com. Confirm any ambiguous dates, download the current application from the COAG website, and verify submission procedures before emailing materials.

Key takeaways:
- Primary contact: Dr. Reagan Pritchett — coagdirector@gmail.com.
- Confirm deadlines and application details on the COAG website before submitting.
- Submit questions well in advance of the March deadline.