We thank you for your application! The scholarship application process is now closed for the winner selection. The final recipient will be publicly announced on our website. We will begin accepting new applications in January.
GED Lawyers is offering an academic scholarship to a college student to honor the life and legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers, the first African American prosecutor and judge in Palm Beach County and Riviera Beach City Council member. Rodgers died in 2018 at age 91.
The civil rights icon accomplished many things throughout his career, including breaking racial and social barriers within the U.S. judicial system and working with people suffering from substance use disorders. In the early 1990s, Rodgers created the first drug court in Riviera Beach and went on to open others throughout the county. The U.S. Supreme Court later recognized him for his efforts.
GED Lawyers encourages all degree-seeking students to apply for The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship. The $2,500 award can go toward tuition, room and board, and other related expenses. Continue reading to find out how to apply.
Application Requirements for The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship
The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate or graduate students in all areas of study who meet the following criteria:
- You must be in good academic standing
- You must be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited college, university, or graduate school
- You must be a United States citizen or otherwise authorized to work or attend school in the U.S.
- You must submit the application materials, including the 1,000-word essay explaining what Judge Edward Rodgers’ legacy means to you
- You must agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions
Scholarship Application Process
Once you review the eligibility requirements, please write your essay. Then, once you complete the essay, do the following:
- Fill out the application form
- Upload a copy of your scholarship essay
Writing About What Judge Edward Rodgers Means to You
Please write an essay of no more than 1,000 words on what the legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers means to you. You should focus on a specific domain and discuss how Judge Rodgers’ impact continues to reverberate. For example, you can discuss leadership, ethics within the judicial system, support for substance abuse victims, or another memorable contribution.
For your essay to be eligible please include the following:
- A header where you mention your full name; the name of the scholarship; the name of the institution you are enrolled in; the mailing address from your financial aid office where we can mail the award; the e-mail address and phone number from your financial aid office; the student ID number.
- A catchy and original title.
- A bibliography where you mention all the sources of information used (eg: books, sites; articles, magazines, reports, etc.)
- Citations
Once finished, please save your essay in Word format with the following title, “The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship 2025 – Student Name”, and submit it through the form.
Submit Your Scholarship Application on Time
The deadline to apply for the Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship is December 1, 2025. Applications that come in after the deadline will not be considered.
Our selection committee will review all applications we receive by the deadline. We anticipate the decision process can take one to three months, depending on how many applications we receive. We regret that for legal reasons, we cannot accept calls, emails, or other communications regarding the scholarship or answer any questions other than those that appear here. All essential details about this scholarship can be found on this page. We will contact you if we need more information.
How To Qualify for The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship
All applicants of the Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship must meet the eligibility requirements. To qualify for the scholarship, you must:
- Be enrolled as a student at a college, university, or graduate school
- Be at least 18 years old at the age of enrollment
- Have residency in the United States
- Be in good academic standing
- Submit information about yourself, including your name and contact information
- Write an original essay of no more than 1,000 words about what Judge Edward Rodgers means to you
Anyone who meets the following conditions is NOT eligible to apply:
- Employees or children of employees of GED Lawyers
- Anyone who has received The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship before
- Applicants who are not willing or are unable to be interviewed by a representative of GED Lawyers if they were to be awarded a scholarship
- Applicants who do not submit an essay unique to this application
Selection & Award Notification Process
You need to submit your application before the deadline expires. GED Lawyers will not consider applications that are incomplete or were submitted after the required submission deadline.
Our scholarship selection committee will review applications and choose a winner without allowing age, race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, or other protected classes to influence their decision.
GED Lawyers cannot answer any questions regarding your application’s status, nor will we be able to individually notify non-winners. Scholarship winners will be notified via email, and an announcement will be made on GED Lawyers’ blog as well as via a press release.
We will send the scholarship award directly to the winner’s college or university. Instructions for mailing the check will be requested at the time of the award.
Privacy Statement
GED Lawyers will not give out, sell, or distribute applicants’ personal information to third parties.
Our law firm reserves the right to use the winners’ names and photos in any announcement or communication related to the scholarship on GED Lawyers’ website, in marketing materials, or in social media posts.
You agree to our public use of your name and image when you submit your scholarship application.
Get Started on Your Scholarship Application Today
If you meet the qualifying criteria, get started on your scholarship application today. GED Lawyers looks forward to awarding The Legacy of Judge Edward Rodgers Scholarship to a deserving student.
Previous Winners
- 2023 Winner: Corrisa Malat
