This scholarship fund came out of tragedy – the premature deaths of Doug and Don. In thinking about how to honor the loves of their lives, Doug and Don's wives, Colleen and Kathy, kept coming back to the fact that these men lived at a time when it was possible to put yourself through college, even without the support of your parents. That time is long-gone.
Colleen and Kathy will strive to support students in their educational journey so that they too can look for a life path that truly sustains them, rather than being limited to one that has the monetary potential necessary to pay off huge debts.
The Doug Miller & Don Sanders Scholarship provides low-income Texas high school graduates the chance to earn a four-year college education inclusive of living expenses at a Texas public university. Their belief in the power of travel to open the mind also has led them to ask each scholarship student to spend a semester abroad. Each recipient is given the lifetime opportunity of advanced education free from financial worries or a lifetime of debt.
The decision to select scholarship recipients is not based on one factor alone. Instead, it is based on a combination of many factors, including academic performance, participation in school and community activities, essays and teacher references. Applicant must also demonstrate financial need through either the FAFSA or TAFSA, each of which must be completed fully. A group of finalists will be interviewed and then either two or three full scholarships will be awarded each year. All finalists will receive at least some contribution.
DMDSSF does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
“If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”
- Chinese proverbWe lift up tomorrow's leaders. By offering low-income Texas high school graduates a four-year commitment to tuition and living expenses at a Texas public university, we offer them the chance to obtain a college degree and live free from debt and financial worries.
We believe youth can define their mission, and change the world through debt-free higher-education.