Jessica Beth Schwartz experienced 8½ additional years of life thanks to the gift of organ donation. Jessica’s family and friends continue to honor her memory with a scholarship fund, available to college-bound transplant recipients.

Jessica received a heart transplant and always stayed focused on her goal of college education. This fund supports others who share that dream. It awards scholarships annually to a transplant recipient who is a senior in high school or is enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college, university or trade/technical school.

Funds for the scholarship have been raised through the annual event Jessie’s Day – Give the Gift of Scholarship that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. Donations to help support the scholarships can be made online.

All applications and required documents must be submitted by June 30, 2025.

View and download the scholarship application

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Students who apply must meet the following criteria:

• Be a solid organ transplant recipient
• Be a senior in high school or currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college, university, or trade/technical school
• Use the scholarship award for continuing education at an accredited college, university, or trade/technical school certificate program during the upcoming academic year
• Reside in the Gift of Life service region (eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey or Delaware)
• Be under 25 years of age
• Cannot have received the Jessica Beth Schwartz Memorial Scholarship in the past

How to apply

• Write a personal statement (500 words or less) describing your transplant story and extracurricular and/or volunteer activities
• Write a short essay (200 words or less) that describing an educational initiative you are prepared to undertake if you win this scholarship to promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation awareness to high school or college students
• Provide two letters of reference from a non-relative (eg. from your transplant center)
• Provide current transcript and/or acceptance letter from your college, university, or trade/technical school
• View and download the scholarship application

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Learn about the 2024-25 winners

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Donate to the scholarship fund

Contribute to the memorial scholarship fund 

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