The James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship
for High School Seniors (Click HERE for Application Request Form)
On June 27, 2025, New Jersey Chapter #1, Knights of Columbus, announced its annual opening of application requests for the James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship, with a deadline of November 30, 2025, subject to the following conditions and qualifications:
The James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship “A”:
The James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship “A” is a grant of $10,000 per year for four years, for a total of $40,000, payable to any Catholic college/university of the winner’s choice, to be applied towards tuition and directly related expenses for each year of a four-year course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, or Business Administration. This grant shall be awarded to the candidate, male or female, who places highest in the standings as determined by an Independent Examining Board. In the event of refusal, the offer shall be made in descending order on the list to the next candidate, male or female.
The James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship “B”:
The James J. McMahon Memorial Scholarship “B” is a grant of $8,000 per year for four years, for a total of $32,000, payable to any Catholic college/university of the winner’s choice, to be applied towards tuition and directly related expenses for each year of a four-year course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, or Business Administration. This grant shall be awarded to the highest placing person on the list, male or female, with the exception of the Scholarship “A” winner. In the event of refusal, the offer shall be made in descending order on the list to the next candidate, male or female.
Qualifications:
Applicant must be a graduate of a high school and not have had any previous college/university education or attendance whatsoever. Applicant must be able to meet entrance requirements of the college/university and to maintain scholastic requirements of the college/university during attendance thereat.
Eligibility for Scholarships “A & B”:
Applicant must be a member, or son, daughter, brother or sister of a member or of a deceased member of a council affiliated with the Chapter, such member being required to have at least two (2) years of continuous membership in the Chapter and the Order immediately prior to the deadline for requesting an application.
Note: A deceased member must have been a member of an affiliated Council in good standing at the time of his death. No continuous membership is necessary.
How to Apply:
Applicant must submit a letter (Form 22209 or equivalent – Click HERE for application request letter) ) to the Grand Knight of the council through which applicant derived their qualification, requesting permission to be considered. The Grand Knight and the Financial Secretary of the council concerned, upon receipt of such request, will certify as to the eligibility of the member by providing pertinent data and affixing their signatures & Council Seal (mandatory) to the form. The GK or FS (not the applicant) is to scan the request as a .pdf file (with a clearly visible Council Seal) and email the request (as an attachment) to Scholarship Chairman Boyle at 
to be received no later than November 30, 2025. A return email will confirm receipt and advise if all is in order.
SAT or ACT Examination Requirement:
Since the awarding of the scholarships is based in part upon the College Entrance Examination Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the ACT College Readiness Assessment, candidates must take either the SAT or the ACT, or both, examinations. This should be accomplished by December of the candidate’s senior year in high school.
Application Fee: This will be assumed by the Scholarship Committee.
NOTE: NO APPLICATION REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER NOVEMBER 30, 2025!