Scholarship

2024 applications are CLOSED.
Applications re-open in February 2025.

“Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination” – Jaime Guttenberg

Orange Ribbons For Jaime awards scholarships to deserving students of ALL abilities in honor of Jaime. Recipients will be chosen based on the designated criteria for their scholarship category.

The Jaime Guttenberg Helping Hands Scholarship

Application Requirements:

  • Applying to a traditional 4 year university with a focus on a career in helping others, which includes but is not limited to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychology, or Special Education
  • Background in community service/volunteerism during high school is a MUST (Minimum of 100 hours)
  • Minimum 3.5 weighted GPA

Applicants will provide transcripts and documentation of community service, along with a 500-750 word essay that answers the following:

What career do you plan to pursue? Why do you want to focus on a career in helping others, and what impact do you feel you can have in the future by choosing this career?

Applications will reopen February 2025

The Jaime Guttenberg Dance Scholarship

Application Requirements:

  • Applying to a traditional 4 year university or performing arts specialty program with a focus on a career in dance
  • Minimum of three years in dance classes during high school
  • Background in community service/volunteerism during high school is a MUST (minimum of 100 hours)
  • Minimum 3.5 weighted GPA

Applicants will provide transcripts and documentation of community service, along with a 500-750 word essay that answers the following:

Why are you choosing to focus on dance after high school and what impact has dance had on your life?

Applications will reopen February 2025

The Jaime Guttenberg ALL ABILITIES Scholarship

Application Requirements:

  • Diagnosis of a special need or disability is required from a physician such as, but not limited to Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy or Limb Deficiency
  • High school diploma is required
  • Applying to any post-high school program such as, but not limited to, university, college, technical school, trade school and vocational training

Applicants will provide transcripts and documentation of a medical diagnosis. They will apply, with assistance as needed, and explain the following in writing: What are your plans for after high school?

Applications will reopen February 2025

If you have any questions, please click here to contact our organization or contact Carol Chenkin at 561-929-0172.

We have donated over $100k to over 60 recipients to date!

Testimonials

Julia Van Arsdale

My name is Julia Van Arsdale and I am currently a freshman Exercise Physiology major at Florida State University. I am a 2021 Orange Ribbons for Jaime Scholarships recipient, and because of that I was given the opportunity to take part in several extracurricular activities that have made my first year of college extremely enjoyable. In my fall semester I tried out for and made the Florida State Club softball team. Without the Orange Ribbons for Jaime scholarship I would not have had the luxury of joining this community that I love. This team has helped me immerse myself with volunteering activities such as miracle league. Miracle League is a sports program which helps children and adults with disabilities play in recreational sports. Thanks to Orange Ribbons for Jaime the transition from high school to my first year of college has been much easier

scholarship recipient

Arielle Kraus

“I was honored to be selected as one of the recipients of The Jaime Guttenberg Helping Hands Scholarship in 2021. Out of all the scholarships I applied to last year, this was the most important one to me. The tragedy that occurred on February 14, 2018, has always stuck with me as I was a freshman in a high school just 20 minutes away. After the tragedy, I read and watched every news story. I became invested in helping and inspired by the individuals of Parkland, including the Guttenberg family, who took their grief and turned it into action.

Although I did not know Jaime, her story inspired me. Her passion for helping others really resonated with me. The biggest coincidence was that both of us wanted to work with individuals with special needs. With the money I earned from the scholarship, I was able to apply it toward my housing and tuition fees at the University of Florida, where I am majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with the hopes of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. I am so excited to begin a career where I can help others, especially individuals with special needs.

When I won the scholarship, I was in the middle of reading “Find the Helpers,” by Fred Guttenberg. I have since finished the book and wanted to thank the Orange Ribbons for Jaime Foundation for being my “helpers” as I began college. Your ability to believe in me and assist me means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for everything.”

Sincerely,
Arielle Kraus

University of Florida Class of 2025
Cooper City High School Class of 2021