John Irwin Scholarship

The West Michigan Veterans Coalition John Irwin Scholarship is named for Mr. John Irwin, Co-Founder of Armed Forces Thanksgiving. They are available to those who have served or are serving in the US Armed Forces, their spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 who are currently attending or have been accepted into a college, university, or trade school.

The scholarship may be used to support school expenses such as books, tuition, transportation, housing, etc. Applicants may receive this scholarship only once throughout their educational career.

Eligibility

  • Must be a resident of or physically attending a school in one of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Lake, Kent, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, or Ottawa.
  • Must be a service member or veteran, spouse of service member or veteran, or dependent child of service member or veteran up to age 26.
  • The service member must be currently serving, retired, or honorably discharged member of the United States Military, including those that have served in the National Guard or reserves.
  • Must be currently attending or accepted to a college, university, or trade school. Dependents may be a high school senior who has been accepted into a college, university, or trade school. 
  • Currently enrolled students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (or higher) on a 4.0 scale or be able to show hours toward certification of a skilled trade.
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Required Documents

  • Completed application.
  • Copy of marriage license (if spouse) or birth certificate (if dependent child).
  • Documentation of military service for service member (DD214, NGB 22, Letter of Discharge, or current orders) with social security number blacked out.
  • Proof of residence of letter from school stating you are attending for the 2025-26 school year. If the school has multiple locations, the letter must state which site you are attending.
  • Official copy of most current transcript with cumulative grade point average or credit hours toward certification of skilled trade
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation (excluding family members) which must be signed and dated within the application period by the writers.
  • A 1,000- to 1,500-word essay explaining the biggest challenge you have encountered, what you did to overcome that challenge, and how it changed your perspective.
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The applications will then be reviewed by a committee and TWO (2) $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to ONE (1) service member or veteran and ONE (1) spouse or dependent based on eligibility requirements and application criteria. Those awarded the John Irwin Scholarship will not be allowed to apply in the future.

Applications are due September 30, 2025.

Scholarship applications are currently closed.

Please check back between May 1st and September 30th.

About John Irwin

John Irwin retired in 2022 as Huntington Bank’s President for the West Michigan Region. His 43-year banking career included positions in international services, business banking, corporate banking and retail banking administration, and took him to Indianapolis, Phoenix, Columbus, and in Grand Rapids from 2003 until his retirement.

John did his undergraduate work at DePauw University, received a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University and graduated from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

He is an active community advocate, having served on the boards of Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids, The Right Place, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Talent 2025.

John helped found Armed Forces Thanksgiving in 2014 and served as its co-chair until 2022.

John Irwin