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Page 1

026-03-12 USRF HS Grant Graham Downes w New Logo Rev01
Select only one 
USRF HS Grant Nelson Logo Hartpury Log Rev03
Instructions and Help Summary

Complete Application: Please follow all the instructions and submit a complete Application. If your application is considered incomplete, you will be ineligible to receive a Scholarship. The USRF High School Immersion Scholarship Selection Committee recommends that the Applicant have a third party review the Scholarship Application before submittal.


Saving the Application:  The USRF Graham Downes  Scholarship Selection Committee recommends saving the form as the Applicant progresses (save button located at the top of any page of the Application form).  In addition,  the Committee  recommends that the Applicant assemble the answers to the questions (particularly the paragraph questions) in an electronic document (Word, etc.) which the Applicant keeps on the Applicant’s computer or in the Cloud. This action will save frustration and time, if there is an inadvertent loss of the Application.


Help with the Application or Questions about the USRF Graham Downes Scholarship program: 

 

If the Applicant and / or Applicant’s parents or coaches have any questions with regard to the Scholarship Application or the High School Imersion program, please call John Decker at ‭(859) 539-5124‬‬ or email him at johndecker7@gmail.com.


If there are technical questions about the Application form or the web site, Please call (or text) Robert Benson at 650-520-1060 or email him at rwbenson@sbcglobal.net.


If there are general questions about the United States Rugby Foundation, Please call (or text) Jon Hinkin at ‭(702) 267-8354‬ or email him at jhinkin@usrugbyfoundation.com.


NOTE TO PREVIOUS APPLICANTS:  If the applicant applied previously, you must submit a new application.  However, If the applicant did not save the information from the previous  application, we would be happy to send a copy of that information.  Please email Robert Benson at rwbenson@sbcglobal.net, or call (or text) him at 650-520-1060.

Scholarship Applicant:  Basic Information



Edit this heading


Enter the phone number with dashes. If the number is outside the USA enter the entire number with the Country code.

Enter the phone number with dashes. If the number is outside the USA enter the entire number with the Country code.



The State field requires a 2 Letter abbreviation. i.e. CA, TX, etc

The Zip Code field requires a 5 number entry i.e. 94070, etc



Student Athlete Information

Format: MM/DD/YYYY




Use pull down menu to list Preferred Rugby Position

List Social Media Accounts with name used for each Account
Parents Names






Confirmation of your parents' and your school's support: 




Page 2





Provide any comments and explanations (especially outliers) that would be useful to the Scholarship Application evaluators.


Name of Applicant's Current High School is High School 01 (List High Schools as 01, 02, etc. if there are multiple High Schools)





If "Yes", Answer the questions below about the High School 01 Team name and Coach. If not "Yes", the questions will not appear.







If "Yes", Answer the questions below about the High School Club Team name and Coach. If not "Yes", the questions will not appear.







If Applicable, the Applicant should List other High Schools and other Rugby Clubs with Names, dates, and Coach contact information (cell phone, email address). Designate the additional High Schools and Clubs as High School 02, High School 03, etc. and HS Club 02, HS Club 03, etc.
Applicant History (Rugby and Other), Goals (Rugby and Other), Personal Statement

The Applicant should provide a short history of the Applicant's involvement with Rugby. This section should include at least the following: When and why did the Applicant start playing rugby (include youth rugby)? What influenced the Applicant"s decision? With what teams did the Applicant play? What positions? Was the Applicant captain (Teams, Years)? What All Star, Regional or USA National Age Grade teams? Team accomplishments? Individual accomplishments? Max 3,000 Characters.

The Applicant should provide a short history of Applicant's other Sports, Activities, Church, Scouts, Family, etc: What sports did the Applicant play? (Include Years, Leadership positions, Team accomplishments? Individual accomplishments? In what other activities was the Applicant involved (Include years, Leadership positions, Awards, Accomplishments, etc.) Max 3,000 Characters.

The Applicant should provide a short statement about the Role that Rugby has played in the Applicant's life to date and why this Nelson College Scholarship is important to, and a good fit for the Applicant and why the Applicant is deserving. Max 3,000 Characters.

The Applicant should provide a short statement of the Applicant's Goals for the Applicant's rugby career. Include Aspirations for College, Rugby beyond College, etc. Max 3,000 Characters.

The Applicant may provide a short statement of the Applicant's Goals for career outside of Rugby. Include College and Post Graduate Goals, Career work plans, Family plans, Philanthropy and Service plans, Other Non-work related Goals and plans. Max 3,000 Characters.

The Applicant should provide a personal statement as to why the Applicant should receive this USRF College Scholarship. Max 3,000 Characters.

Page 3

Letters of Support and Pictures
The Application is required to have 1 Letter of Support and may include up to three Letters of Support (LOS).  At least one of the LOS inputs should be from one of the Applicant's Rugby coaches.  The LOS from the Applicant's Coach / Coaches should state the reasons why the USRF Graham Downes Scholarship would be a good fit for the Applicant.

Each LOS should include the Name of the person submitting the LOS as well as the relationship to the Applicant and contact information (cell phone number, email address).  The Applicant will need to have the LOS sent to the Applicant and then entered into the appropriate Letter of Support section listed below.  Each LOS should be a maximum of 3,000 characters.
Letters of Support



Applicant Pictures
The Application should include three pictures of the Applicant which can be uploaded to the this Application electronically.  The picture formats can be jpg, jpeg, png.  The file should have a name that identifies the Photo (i.e. John Doe Head Shot)  The maximum size is 3.0 MB.



Academic Transcript
The Application Supplemental Information can be uploaded to the this Application electronically.  The formats can be pdf, jpg, jpeg, png.  The file should have a name that identifies the Photo (i.e. John Doe Transcript)  The maximum size is 5.0 MB.

Page 4

Required Certifications and Release
Applicant Certification: I certify the information provided in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, true and correct. I have not knowingly withheld any facts or circumstances that could otherwise jeopardize consideration of this application. If requested, I agree to provide additional verification of the information I have given on this form. I certify that I am not related to any individual employed by, who serves on a scholarship committee of, or sits on the Board of Directors of the United States Rugby Foundation.
Agreement of Terms
I certify that I have read carefully the criteria and checklist for the USRF Graham Downes Scholarship to which I am applying. I understand that if I do not submit the information required, if it arrives late, is faxed, or the materials are not submitted together, my application is incomplete and will not be considered. I agree to adhere to all of the terms and conditions of my scholarship and those set forth by the United States Rugby Foundation if I am selected as a recipient.
Signature of Applicant
To sign electronically, please type your FULL NAME in capital letters, below. This page must be signed or your application will be considered incomplete.




Press and Media Release

Authorization

Yes
Application must be submitted on or before May 30, 2026
Checklist for United States Rugby Foundation Graham Downes Scholarships:
Yes

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