Established in Loving Memory · Perry, Georgia

The Hervia & Catherine Ingram Scholarship Fund

Honoring two lifetimes of teaching, service, and commitment by investing in the next generation of Black scholars.

Apply For The Scholarship

62+ Years

Combined years in education.

3 Generations

Of educators and community leaders.

$10K

Annual award per recipient.

Their Legacy

Two Lives Devoted to Teaching

The Ingrams built their lives in Middle Georgia on a belief that education is the surest path to dignity, opportunity, and impact.

Hervia M. Ingram, Sr.

Educator, civic leader, and bridge builder who dedicated his life to agricultural science, education, and community development.

Catherine H. Ingram

Educator and mentor who served generations of students and gave her time, care, and leadership to her church and neighbors.

The Archive

A Legacy Remembered

Stories, photographs, and memories preserving the lives and work of the Ingrams for generations to come.

From the Founder

Why I Started This Scholarship

I was raised by two teachers. Everything I have built traces back to their classroom, their example, and their unshakeable belief that a Black child’s mind was worth investing in.

Our Mission

Cultivate. Educate. Elevate.

To remove financial barriers for Black students pursuing science, agriculture, education, and related fields.

Cultivate

Fund future scientists, farmers, and engineers.

Educate

Support tomorrow’s teachers and school leaders.

Elevate

Build bridges between opportunity and students who need it most.

CRIT 01 · Eligibility

Who May Apply

This scholarship is open exclusively to African American Male students. African American refers to individuals of Black or African descent who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. This founding requirement honors the community in which both honorees taught, served, and built their legacy.

African American Identity

Applicant must identify as African American (Black) Male. Self-identification is accepted. Documentation may be requested at the discretion of the review committee.

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

Applicant must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of application.

Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment

Applicant must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university in the United States. Graduate students are not eligible.

Good Academic and Disciplinary Standing

Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing, with no active suspension or probation, as verified by official transcript.

Why This Requirement Exists
Hervia M. Ingram, Sr. attended Fort Valley State College and Tuskegee University. Catherine H. Ingram attended Morris Brown College. They pursued excellence through institutions built to serve Black Americans when no other doors were open.
CRIT 02 · Academic Requirements

A Standard of Excellence

Academic excellence was central to both honorees. This scholarship holds every recipient to the standard of excellence they modeled.

Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, verified by official transcript.

Official Transcript

A sealed official transcript must be submitted from the current institution.

GPA of 3.5 or Above

Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above receive additional consideration.

CRIT 03 · Field of Study — STEM

Hervia M. Ingram, Sr. earned degrees in Agriculture and Agricultural Education from Fort Valley State College and Tuskegee University and applied that knowledge directly to community development throughout his career. This scholarship invests in the next generation of Black scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians.

Declared STEM Major

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).

Qualifying STEM Disciplines

Eligible fields include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Pre-Medicine, Mathematics, and Applied Mathematics.

Proof of Enrollment

Applicants must provide a declaration of major, degree audit, or signed letter from the academic department confirming enrollment in a qualifying STEM degree program.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Interdisciplinary programs with a minimum 50% STEM component may be considered at the review committee's discretion.

CRIT 04 · Community Service Requirement

Community service is not a preference — it is a core requirement. Hervia M. Ingram, Sr. served Perry on City Council for more than 12 years, chaired multiple county boards, and served his church and community until he could no longer stand. Catherine H. Ingram gave her hours outside the classroom to St. James C.M.E. Church, the Missionary Board, and her neighbors. Service was not what they did in their spare time. It was who they were.

Minimum 60 Documented Hours

Applicants must document a minimum of sixty (60) hours of community service completed within the twenty-four (24) months prior to the application deadline.

Official Verification Letter

Service must be verified by a letter from the organization on official letterhead, signed by a supervisor or director. The letter must specify the organization, applicant's role, total hours, and dates of service.

Recognized Organization

Service must be rendered through a recognized non-profit, school, government agency, faith-based institution, or community program. Self-directed or family service does not qualify.

Sustained, Multi-Year Commitment

Applicants with sustained, multi-year service to a single organization will receive additional consideration. Depth of commitment matters more than breadth.

CRIT 05 · Written Statement of Need and Desire

The Written Statement is the most personal component of this application. It is the applicant's opportunity to speak directly to the review committee — to explain not just what they need, but why they want it, what they intend to do with it, and what they will leave behind.

600 to 800 Words

Submissions under 500 or over 900 words will be disqualified without review.

All Three Parts Must Be Addressed

Statements must address Need, Desire, and Legacy.

Original Work Only

The statement must be written by the applicant. AI-generated or plagiarized submissions will be disqualified upon detection.

Formatting

Double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins, with applicant name and institution in the header. Submit as a separate document.

Apply Here