Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship

Gillespie, Shields & Taylor and its family lawyers serving Phoenix, AZ, want to make it easier for a high-achieving student to pursue their academic ambitions after high school. The new Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship stands to recognize one outstanding student for their commitment to their community.

This scholarship, valued at $2,500, asks that students across all fields of study consider what laws, community programs, or reforms could make the United States feel more united. Students interested in applying for this scholarship can submit essays between 500 and 1,000 words in length for the scholarship selection committee to consider.

The submission period for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship closes on April 15, 2027.

Application Requirements

Gillespie, Shields & Taylor invites students from all areas of study to apply for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship. There is no major requirement that students must meet to qualify.

However, students applying for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship must agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions. Students must also be able to prove that they’ve been accepted by or are enrolled in an accredited United States college, university, or graduate program.

Likewise, students must complete the application form found on this page and submit an original essay that answers the essay question below. The scholarship selection committee cannot consider students’ incomplete applications.

Application Process

To apply for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship, please review the essay question below and draft an essay between 500 and 1,000 words answering it. Then, submit that essay as a PDF along with the application form on this page.

Students should use the following naming format when saving and submitting their essays: “[Scholarship Name and Year] – [Student Name].” Likewise, students who reference sources in their essays should include in-line citations and a bibliography along with their submission.

Please do not use AI to draft an essay for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship. Gillespie, Shields & Taylor wants to celebrate students’ original thoughts about new ways to inspire unity across the United States.

Scholarship Essay Topic

What would it take to make America feel more united? From economic inequality to political disagreements and social divisions, communities across the country face challenges that can make people feel disconnected.

If you could introduce a new law, reform, or community program to help bridge these divides, what would it be? Explain your idea, who it would help, and how it could bring people together and create a more inclusive America.

Application Deadline

Students have until April 15, 2027, to apply for the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship. Interested applicants must submit their complete scholarship application packet by the deadline. Gillespie, Shields & Taylor will not consider incomplete or late application packets.

The firm asks that neither students nor parents reach out to its representatives with questions about the status of a student’s application after completing their submissions. A representative will contact students for more information about their applications if there is a need to do so.

Terms and Conditions

All applicants to this scholarship must meet the eligibility requirements as laid out on the scholarship application page, including:

• Applicant must be enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school
• Applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise authorized to work or attend school in the United States.
• Applicant must be in good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA and provide an unofficial transcript as proof
• Applicant must submit some personal information, including name, contact information, and academic information.
• Applicant must author an original essay on the scholarship topic provided.

Anyone who meets the following conditions is NOT eligible to apply:

• Employees or children of employees of Gillespie, Shields & Taylor
• Past recipients of the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship
• Applicants who are unable/unwilling to be interviewed by a representative of Gillespie, Shields & Taylor if they were to be awarded a scholarship.
• Applicants who submit the same essay for multiple scholarships or for multiple years in a row

Selection & Award Notification Process

While the scholarship selection committee with Gillespie, Shields & Taylor will read through all of the qualifying applications, DeeAn Gillespie Strub will have the final say as to who receives the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship. The team reserves up to three months after the scholarship deadline passes to choose its winner.

Age, race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, or other protected classes will have no influence on the committee’s decision.

Please do not contact Gillespie, Shields & Taylor during the scholarship selection process. Once the firm chooses its winner, a representative will reach out to that student and ensure that their winnings are sent to the academic institution of their choosing.

Privacy Statement

Your personal information will not be given, sold, or distributed to third parties.

We reserve the right to use the winners’ names and photos in any announcement or communication related to the Bringing People Together in a Divided Community Scholarship, on Gillespie, Shields & Taylor’s website, in marketing materials, or in social media posts.

By submitting your application, you agree to our public use of your name and image.

Previous Winners

Gillespie, Shields & Taylor looks forward to sharing blog posts and press releases announcing the names and achievements of its scholarship recipients here at a later date. Check back for more information.