What is the Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship?

The Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship is a $2,500 annual student award founded by entrepreneur and business leader Todd Mezrah. It is designed to support college students who exhibit resilience, innovative thinking, and a strong sense of purpose. Each year, one outstanding student is selected to receive the $2,500 grant to help further their education or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Eligibility: The grant is open to any U.S.-based undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States. Students from all majors and fields of study are welcome to apply – Todd Mezrah believes that resilience and innovation can be demonstrated in any discipline. There are no minimum GPA requirements for this grant; what matters most is your story, your mindset, and your dedication to your goals.

Grant Purpose and Values: Todd Mezrah established this grant to give back to the community by empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. The grant’s purpose is to recognize and support students who have shown resilience in the face of challenges and who take initiative to drive positive change. Whether you’ve launched a small venture, led a community project, or simply persevered through personal hardships to pursue your education, the Todd Mezrah Grant honors that spirit of determination and self-starting leadership.

Award Timing: The Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship is awarded once per year. Each grant cycle concludes with the selection of one recipient who will receive a one-time $2,500 award. Key dates such as the application deadline and the announcement of the winner will be updated on this site each year (see the Application Process section for more details on timelines). Students are encouraged to apply annually if they remain eligible, as each year brings a new opportunity to share your story and win the grant.

Essay Instructions

A core part of the Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship application is a personal essay. This essay is your chance to showcase your resilience, ingenuity, and personal growth in the face of challenges. We want to hear your story – in your own authentic voice – about how you overcame an obstacle and what you learned from that experience.

Essay Prompt: (500–700 words, PDF format)
“Reflect on a personal or academic challenge you’ve faced. How did you overcome it, and how has it shaped your goals or mindset going forward?”

When writing your essay, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Originality: Your essay must be authentically written by you. Todd Mezrah values honest, human stories of growth and perseverance. We want to learn about your unique experiences and insights. AI-generated or plagiarized essays are strictly prohibited. The selection committee is looking for genuine reflection, so let your personality and voice shine through.
• Length & Format: The essay should be between 500 and 700 words in length. Please save and submit your essay as a PDF document. This ensures we receive your submission in a consistent format. Be sure to include your name and a title on the essay or within the PDF file name for identification.
• Focus on the Prompt: Make sure your essay addresses the entire prompt. Describe the challenge you faced, detail the steps or mindset you used to overcome it, and explain how this experience influenced your future goals or outlook. A well-structured essay that touches on all parts of the question will help the committee understand your journey and resilience.
• Clarity and Depth: We encourage you to be clear and organized in your writing. At the same time, don’t shy away from showing depth and emotion – this is about your story. What challenges have shaped who you are today? How do they fuel your ambition for tomorrow? A compelling narrative with specific examples will make your essay stand out.

Take this essay as an opportunity to reflect genuinely on your experiences. Remember, the Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship is interested in people who have grown through challenges. Your authentic story of overcoming adversity is far more important than using perfect vocabulary or exaggerating accomplishments. Write from the heart, stay true to yourself, and you’ll already be making a strong impression.

Application Process

Applying for the Todd Mezrah Business Athlete Scholarship is a straightforward process designed to gather information about you and your essay submission. To ensure your application is complete, please follow these steps:

1. Prepare Your Essay: Write your 500–700 word essay responding to the prompt (see the Essay Instructions section above). Save your final essay as a PDF file. Double-check that it meets the length requirement and is your own original work.
2. Gather Your Information: Be ready to provide some basic information about yourself. The application form will typically ask for:
   • Full Name
   • Email Address (and possibly a phone number for contact)
   • College/University Name (must be a U.S. accredited institution)
   • Current Level of Study (undergraduate or graduate; you may include your year, e.g., sophomore, first-year MBA, etc.)
   • Field of Study/Major (optional, as all majors are eligible)
   • Expected Graduation Date
   • Any Other Relevant Details (such as how you heard about the grant)
3. Fill Out the Application Form: Visit the Todd Mezrah Grant Application page (or form) on this site. Enter all the required information in the form fields. Make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date, as this will be used to contact you if you are selected.
4. Upload Your Essay: The application form will have an option to upload your essay PDF file. Click the upload button and select your saved essay file. Ensure that the file is correctly attached before submitting the form.
5. Submit Your Application: Once you have filled in your details and attached your essay, click the Submit button. You should see a confirmation message on the site indicating that your application has been received. (If you do not see a confirmation, check if any required fields were missed or if there were any errors, and try submitting again.)
6. Confirmation Email: After submission, you will receive a confirmation email from the Todd Mezrah Grant committee confirming that we have received your application. Keep this email for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours, please reach out to us (see the Contact section below).
7. Review & Selection: After the application deadline passes, all complete applications will be reviewed by the grant selection committee established by Todd Mezrah. The committee will evaluate each essay and application based on authenticity, insight, and alignment with the grant’s values of resilience and innovation. This review process typically takes a few weeks.
8. Winner Announcement: Once a decision is made, the grant recipient will be notified directly via the email (and/or phone) provided in the application. We will also announce the winner publicly on the Todd Mezrah Grant website (and potentially via a press release or social media). If you are the selected student, you may be asked to provide proof of enrollment (such as a student ID or enrollment verification) before the award is officially granted.
9. Award Distribution: The $2,500 grant award will be issued to the winner as a one-time payment. The details for receiving the funds (such as a mailed check or electronic transfer) will be arranged with the winner after verification. The grant is intended to be used toward your educational expenses, entrepreneurial project, or any initiatives that support your academic and professional development.
10. Future Opportunities: If you applied but were not selected this year, don’t be discouraged. The Todd Mezrah Grant is an annual program, so you are welcome to apply again in the next cycle as long as you remain eligible. We value your effort and story, and encourage you to keep striving and sharing your journey.

Timeline: Specific dates for the application deadline and winner announcement will be posted each year on the Todd Mezrah Grant website. Generally, expect a few months between the application opening and the deadline, and a few weeks from the deadline to the announcement. For example, if the application deadline is in late spring, the winner might be announced during the summer. Always refer to the latest information on this site for the current cycle’s timeline.

By following the above process and submitting your story, you’re taking a step toward an opportunity to further your goals. We appreciate the time and thought every applicant puts into this process, and Todd Mezrah and his team are excited to read about the challenges you’ve overcome and the aspirations you hold. Good luck to all applicants!