CGLA Scholarship List & Criteria 

The Billy G. Hinchee Memorial Scholarship

The Billy G. Hinchee Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in August 2024 by Dr. Sue Anne Wells. The scholarship is intended to support graduates from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) with any college entrance costs that enroll in a 2 or 4 year accredited college. 

Award Amount

Scholarship award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name. Upon request, all scholarship applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval. 

The Dr. Lucille O'Neal Impact Scholarship

The Ayesha Harrison-Jex and Lateefah Harrison Jackson Scholarship was established in March 2023 by Dr. Lucille O'Neal. The fund is intended to benefit graduating students from CGLA attending a 2-year or 4-year accredited college.

Award Amount

Scholarship award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name. Upon request, all scholarship applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval. 

Criteria

The Ayesha Harrison-Jex and Lateefah Harrison Jackson Scholarship will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented, national or international, disability, age, or veteran status, subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship/funds is intended to meet the needs of current seniors seeking college enrollment in a 2-year or 4-year accredited college.

• Students must submit a completed application to the CGLA Scholarship Review Committee.

• Students must obtain a minimum ACT score of 21.

• Recipients will compose a Thank You letter to the Scholarship Donor. A copy will be kept on file at CGLA

The Jody Wagner Scholarship fund

The Jody Wagner Scholarship was established in August 2023 by Dr. Sue Anne Wells, Founder of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA)/Montessori Elementary at Highland Park (MEHP).  The fund was established to benefit graduating seniors attending Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA).  The scholarship is intended to support any college entrance costs and collegiate-level freshman year.  The fund was named for the late Dr. Jody Wagner, a renowned scholar and esteemed veterinarian. He graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was the chief surgeon at Coosa Valley Equine Center, a facility where cutting-edge technology and equine services is paramount.

Award Amount

Scholarship/Fund award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name.   Upon request, all scholarship/fund applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval.

Criteria

The Jody Wagner Scholarship will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented, national or international, disability, age, or veteran status, subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship/fund is intended to meet the needs of current students and seniors seeking college enrollment

• Current student need funds will be recommended by school administration and guidance counselors

• Students must complete an application for committee review if seeking funds for college enrollment

• Students applying for college fund, must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5. Application and recommendations are required and are to be fully completed before consideration by the Scholarship/Fund Selection Committee is given.  Upon the final selection, the student will be notified by the committee

• College recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.5 (you can decide GPA requirement)

• Recipients of the scholarship will compose a Thank You letter to the Scholarship/Fund establisher, both, referencing the scholarship name and the indicated field of study.

All contributions to the Jody Wagner Scholarship will become the property of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and are irrevocable once deposited by CGLA.  CGLA must have full legal ownership and maintain full control over the funds and all distributions, in order for the donation to qualify as charitable, tax donations.

The Montague Family College Scholarship Fund

The Montague Family College Scholarship Fund was established in December 2018 by Kristina M. Montague. The fund is intended to benefit graduating students attending Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year accredited college. The scholarship is intended to support college fees and collegiate level freshman year living costs, including books, transportation and/or any other additional items attending a 4-year accredited college. 

Award Amount

Scholarship/Fund award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name.   Upon request, all scholarship/fund applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval.

Criteria

The Montague Family College Scholarship Fund will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented, national or international, or disability, age or sexual orientation subject to the following restrictions. 

• The scholarship/fund is intended to meet the needs of current seniors seeking college 

• enrollment in a 2-year of 4-year accredited college. 

• Students must submit a completed application to Scholarship Review Committee. 

• College recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA 

• CGLA will send notification of award winners to Kristina Montague 

• Recipient will compose a thank you letter to the Scholarship/ Fund. A copy will be kept on file. 

All contributions to the Montague Family College Scholarship Fund will become the property of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and are irrevocable once deposited by CGLA.  CGLA must have full legal ownership and maintain full control over the funds and all distributions, in order for the donation to qualify as charitable, tax donations.

The Jones-Scott Family Scholarship

The Jones-Scott Family Scholarship was established in March 2017 by Dr. Monica Jones and Mr. Levi Scott, in honor of Mr. Scott’s family. The fund is intended to benefit juniors and seniors attending Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA). The scholarship is intended to support college entrance fees and collegiate level freshman year living costs, including books, dorm set up, transportation and/or any additional items needed to establish college entrance.

Award Amount

Scholarship/Fund award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name. Upon request, all scholarship/fund applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval.

Criteria

The Jones-Scott Family Scholarship will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented, national or international, disability, age, or veteran status, subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship/fund is intended to meet the needs of current students and seniors seeking college enrollment

• Current student need funds will be recommended by school administration and guidance counselors

• Students must complete an application for committee review if seeking funds for college enrollment

• Students applying for college fund, must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5. Application and recommendations are required and are to be fully completed before consideration by the Scholarship/Fund Selection Committee is given. Upon the final selection, the student will be notified by the committee

• College recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.5

The Marcia O'Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Marcia o'Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in August 2016 by the Owens and O'Connor Family. The fund is intended to benefit students attending Chattanooga girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) or who have graduated from CGLA and are now seeking enrollment in a 2-year or 4-year accredited college. The fund was named for the late Marcia O'Connor, a Chattanoogan who, in retirement, served as the Statistician for CGLA after dedicating her 41-year career to education administration and research in the greater Chattanooga area.

Award Amount

Scholarship Fund award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient's name. Upon request, all scholarship fund applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval.

Criteria

The Marcia O'Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund will be open to the students described below regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented status, national or international status, disability, age, or sexual orientation, subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship fund is intended to meet the needs of current CGLA students or CGLA graduate now seeking enrollment in a 2-year or 4-year accredited college;

• Current CGLA students in need of funds will be recommended by the school administration and guidance counselors without an application requirement;

• If seeking funds for college enrollment,  

  • students must complete an application for committee review;

  • a minimum of two letters of recommendation are required (at least one must be from a current or former CGLA staff member) and are to be fully completed before consideration by the Scholarship Fund Selection Committee is given;

  • Scholarships will be awarded to students exhibiting an aptitude for an interest in educational research and/or metrics-based research and/or Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) subjects;

  • Student applications will contain an essay requirement focused on the student's interest in educational research and/or metrics-based research and/or STEM subjects;

• Students applying must, at the time of application, have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or, if below 3.0, show an improved GPA over the course of two prior school semesters;

• Upon final selection, the student will be notified by the committee; and recipients will compose a Thank You letter to the Scholarship/Fund establisher, both, referencing the scholarship name and, if the recipient is a CGLA graduate, indicating her desired field of study in college.

Raymond Swafford Memorial Scholarship

The Single Parents Scholarship was established in November 2001 by Ms. Elaine Swafford. The scholarship was intended initially for the benefit of students in the AHEAD Program. With the dissolution of the AHEAD Program, Ms. Swafford has asked that we rename the scholarship and revise the criteria to benefit students from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy. In May 2016, the scholarship was renamed the RAYMOND SWAFFORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, honoring the late Raymond Swafford of Bakewell, Tennessee.

Award Amount

Up to two scholarships may be awarded each academic year in the amount of $1,000.00 per student per year.

Criteria

The College’s Scholarship Selection Committee shall choose the recipients of the RAYMOND SWAFFORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP in accordance with the College’s selection policies and procedures. Those policies and procedures may change from time to time as required by law and otherwise. All scholarships awarded by the College’s Scholarship Selection Committee will be made in accordance with the policies and procedures that are then in effect at the time of the individual awards. The RAYMOND SWAFFORD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, or veteran status,subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship is intended for a senior from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy.

• Students must complete an application and be accepted for admission to Chattanooga State.

• Students receiving the scholarship must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0.

• International students are eligible.

• Undocumented students are eligible.

• Recommendations for this scholarship should be provided by the Guidance Counselors from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy to Chattanooga State’s Financial Aid Office prior to their Senior Recognition Program each year. Chattanooga State’s Scholarship Selection Committee will make the final selection of students to receive the awards.

• One of the required references for this scholarship must be provided by a guidance counselor from the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy.

• Students receiving the scholarship should maintain a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0.• Scholarships can be awarded in conjunction with other Foundation scholarships.

• Scholarships can be awarded in conjunction with other types of federal, state, and/or institutional aid

The Harshad Shah Scholarship Fund

The Harshad Shah Scholarship/Fund was established in March 2017 by Harshad Shah. The fund is intended to benefit students attending Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) and have graduated from CGLA and attending a 2-year or 4-year accredited college.

Award Amount

Scholarship/Fund award amounts are based on current student need and may be awarded directly to the recipient or to the attending college in the recipient’s name. Upon request, all scholarship/fund applications will be determined by a committee of reviewers and will be awarded based on committee approval. There will be two scholarships awarded each year with $500.00 per student. The total amount awarded each year will not exceed $1,000.

Criteria

The Harshad Shah Scholarship/Fund will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, documented or undocumented, national or international, disability, age, or veteran status, subject to the following restrictions:

• This scholarship/fund is intended to meet the needs of current students and seniors seeking college enrollment

• Current student need funds will be recommended by school administration and guidance counselors

• Students must complete an application for committee review if seeking funds for college enrollment

• Students applying for college funds, must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0. Application and recommendations are required and are to be fully completed before consideration by the Scholarship/Fund Selection Committee is given. Upon the final selection, the student will be notified by the committee

• College recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0