John Young 'Pursue Your Passion' Scholarship
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Honor Society® scholarships
$1,000
The John Young “Pursue Your Passion” Scholarship from Honor Society® supports high-achieving students who want to make a professional impact in their chosen field. The award is made possible by the generosity of the Cochener family.
John Young Scholarship requirements
Explain the work you want to do and the difference you hope to make. Connect your chosen field with the experiences, beliefs, or goals that motivate you.
Who can apply?
- Open to all applicants who meet the published requirements.
- The award seeks high-achieving students who want to create a professional impact in their field of interest.
Your application checklist
- A response of up to 500 words. Explain why you chose your field, the impact you hope to create, and the personal reasons, beliefs, or goals that will help you pursue your passion.
- Your application responses. The form asks what passion for your career or major means to you, and how you have demonstrated it or made a difference.
- GPA, school & contact details. These are requested by the current application form.
- Current transcript. An unofficial transcript is accepted when applying. The selected recipient must provide an official transcript before scholarship disbursement.
The current form requests a transcript and states that an unofficial copy is accepted to apply, with an official copy required before disbursement.
Turn passion into a clear direction
Name the field you want to pursue, describe the impact you hope to have, and support your answer with a concrete example from your life. Explain the personal reasons behind that direction and keep your main essay within 500 words.
A legacy of pursuing professional dreams
The Cochener family established this scholarship in honor of John Young. In the family’s account, he was a fighter pilot at Pearl Harbor, later earned an aerospace engineering degree at MIT, and worked with the von Braun team at Redstone Arsenal on Saturn V rockets for the Apollo program.
His example inspired the family’s commitment to helping students pursue their own professional ambitions.
How to apply
01
Sign in before you start
Open the John Young application and sign in or register before entering answers. Signing in after completing the form can cause your answers to be lost.
02
Prepare your materials
Draft your responses about your passion and professional impact. Have your current GPA, transcript, school, and contact details ready for the application. Keep a separate copy of your work.
03
Review & submit
Check your responses, contact details, and attachments. Submit through the application form by the displayed deadline and keep a copy of your materials.
Selection & announcement timeline
Rolling monthly deadlines on the 8th. Prepare early so you can submit a complete, thoughtful application.
How applications are evaluated
The scholarship committee reviews applications against the award’s stated purpose: recognizing high-achieving students who want to create a professional impact. Use your responses to explain your chosen field, intended impact, and personal motivation. Committee decisions are final; meeting the requirements does not guarantee selection.
When recipients hear back
- Within 3 weeks of selection: selected recipients can first expect to hear from Honor Society.
- Within 6 weeks: recipients are publicly announced on the website, in the monthly newsletter, and through social media.
- Up to 3 months after submission: your application remains under consideration. You may submit an updated application after 3 or more months.
Award details and selection timelines are subject to change. Review the full scholarship terms ↓
Meet Honor Society scholarship recipients
Start with Cannon Bush’s John Young scholarship story, then explore recipients of other Honor Society® awards. Each card identifies the scholarship received. Schools, interests, and goals reflect the published stories.
John Young “Pursue Your Passion” Scholarship
Cannon Bush
University of Utah
Cannon described how studying English strengthened critical thinking and empathy while preparing for a future in law.
Read Cannon’s recipient story →Member Spotlight Scholarship
Julia Ondarza
Texas A&M University
Julia described allied health studies, physician assistant school goals, and involvement in campus leadership and community service.
Read Julia’s recipient story →Undergraduate Achiever Scholarship
Michael Aukskalnis
The Ohio State University
Michael described how scholarship support helped with tuition and allowed him to devote more time to his studies.
Read Michael’s recipient story →
Browse the recipient & finalist directory → More recipient stories & videos →
Our broader commitment
$1M+
Donated to nonprofits & other honor societies.
Honor Society® has donated more than $1 million to nonprofit organizations and other honor societies—supporting opportunity beyond our own membership.
This organizational giving total is separate from the individual student scholarship award described on this page.
Read Honor Society’s giving statement →Organizational giving total reported by Honor Society®.
John Young Scholarship FAQs
How much is the John Young “Pursue Your Passion” Scholarship?
Honor Society® offers this $1,000 scholarship. The award is administered independently by Honor Society and its designated scholarship review committee.
When is the next application deadline?
The next displayed deadline is . This scholarship has rolling monthly deadlines on the 8th. Applications may remain under consideration for up to 3 months after submission.
What should my essay cover?
In up to 500 words, explain why you chose your field, how you want to make an impact, and the personal reasons, beliefs, or goals that motivate you. Answer both prompts shown in the application form.
Is this scholarship limited to a particular major?
The published requirements say the application is open to all and do not identify a required major. The award focuses on your professional passion and the impact you want to create.
Who made this scholarship possible?
The Cochener family established this scholarship to honor John Young’s legacy and encourage students to pursue their professional dreams.
Does the application ask for a transcript?
Yes. The current application asks for your GPA and transcript. An unofficial transcript is accepted to apply; the form states that an official transcript is required before scholarship disbursement.
Do I need to pay or be a member to apply?
No. Applicants do not need to be Honor Society members, and no purchase or membership payment is required to apply or win. The application asks you to sign in or register before entering answers; registration is free.
Scholarship terms & participation disclosures
General Disclaimer:
Honor Society® scholarships are privately funded awards designed to recognize and support students and professionals who exemplify excellence, leadership, and community commitment. Each Honor Society® scholarship is administered independently by Honor Society® and its designated scholarship review committee.
No Purchase Necessary / Open Access:
Application for Honor Society® scholarships is open to all eligible individuals. No purchase or membership payment is required to apply or win. Applicants do not need to be members of Honor Society® to be considered. Void where prohibited by law. Participation constitutes the applicant’s full and unconditional agreement to these terms and to Honor Society®’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the award.
Eligibility Compliance:
Applicants must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Honor Society® reserves the right to verify eligibility and to disqualify any applicant who provides false, incomplete, or misleading information. Scholarships are not open to residents of jurisdictions where such programs are restricted or prohibited by law.
Selection Process:
Scholarship recipients are selected based on the specific criteria outlined for each award. Applications are reviewed and scored by the scholarship committee, whose decisions are final. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
Award Terms:
Scholarship amounts, deadlines, criteria, and selection timelines are subject to change without prior notice. Awards are non-transferable, have no cash equivalent, and may not be substituted except at the sole discretion of Honor Society®. Honor Society® reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel scholarship programs at any time.
Announcement & Use of Recipient Information:
By accepting an award, recipients consent to Honor Society® publicly announcing their names, schools, likenesses, and general award information for transparency and promotional purposes. Personal data collected during the application process will be used solely for administering the scholarship and in accordance with Honor Society®’s Privacy Policy.
Odds of Selection:
Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible applications received and the comparative strength of the applications. No minimum or maximum number of awards is guaranteed.
Independent Administration:
Honor Society® is an independent, privately operated organization and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any college, university, or government entity. Institutional acknowledgment or credit of Honor Society® scholarships is at the discretion of each educational institution.
No Guarantee of Outcome / Limitation of Liability:
Applying for an Honor Society® scholarship does not guarantee selection or award. Individual results may vary. Honor Society® and its affiliates are not responsible for late, lost, misdirected, incomplete, or technical submission errors, or for any circumstances beyond their reasonable control. By applying, participants agree to release and hold harmless Honor Society®, its officers, directors, employees, representatives, and partners from any claim, loss, or damage arising out of participation in or acceptance of any award.
For additional terms and conditions governing the use of Honor Society®’s programs and website, please review our Terms of Service
Scholarship articles & recipient videos
Continue with guides hosted on HonorSociety.org and recipient videos on the Honor Society YouTube channel. Guides provide general advice; this award’s requirements govern your application.
Recipient perspective
Cannon Bush: pursuing a future in law
Read how this John Young scholarship recipient connected an English degree with professional goals.
Essay preparation
7 Helpful Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay
Plan and revise a response that reflects your own experience and goals.
Application planning
7 Must-Know Scholarship Application Tips
Organize your scholarship search and prepare complete application materials.
Ready to apply?
John Young “Pursue Your Passion” Scholarship
Review the requirements, prepare your materials, and share the goals you are working toward.
Have a question? Visit the Help Center →
Apply now →No purchase or membership payment is required to apply or win. Applicants do not need to be Honor Society® members to be considered.
