Shaw Foundation
Breaking the Barriers
Scholarship
Supporting students with promise, persistence, and purpose as they overcome barriers to higher education.
Building Stronger Communities. Empowering Generations.
Breaking Barriers. Expanding Opportunity.
At Shaw Foundation Scholarship – Breaking the Barriers, Inc., we support students with promise, persistence, and purpose who are working to overcome barriers to higher education.
Our scholarship is designed to serve students from underserved and underrepresented communities, including students whose paths to universities, community colleges, trade schools, or graduate programs may require greater resilience, support, or financial sacrifice.
The Foundation currently provides a minimum of $10,000 in scholarships annually. Our long-term vision is to expand the program nationally and ultimately provide $1,000 scholarships in every state, supporting at least 100 students nationwide.
“Talent is everywhere.
Access is not.”
What We Mean by Underserved
Underserved students may have limited access to educational opportunities, financial resources, mentorship, academic support, transportation, and community resources.
This may include students from low-income households, under-resourced neighborhoods, rural communities, immigrant families, first-generation college families, and other communities with limited access to support systems.
What We Mean by Underrepresented
Underrepresented students may come from communities that historically have had lower representation in higher education, professional leadership, scholarship access, and certain career fields.
This can include historically marginalized racial or ethnic communities, first-generation students, students with disabilities, students from immigrant families, and other students whose backgrounds or experiences have historically been less represented.
Our commitment is to support a culturally diverse group of students whose academic journeys demonstrate determination, leadership, persistence, and a desire to move beyond barriers toward long-term success.
Executive Healthcare Operations Leader. Engineer. Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Lifelong Learner.
A Message of Possibility
Maria M. Shaw is an award-winning global healthcare executive with more than 25 years of leadership, entrepreneurship, transformation, and service.
She has led complex global organizations within Fortune 100 companies, managed multi-billion-dollar operations at scale, and built a successful retail business.
A Kettering University engineering graduate and former Woman of the Year and President's Medalist, Maria later earned her MBA from Marquette University and advanced to Global Division Vice President leadership within healthcare.
- Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Achievement
- General Electric African American Forum Icon of the Year
- Thermo Fisher Clinical Diagnostics 4i Award
- Kettering University Extraordinary Leadership Award
Maria founded Shaw Foundation Scholarship – Breaking the Barriers, Inc. to help underserved and underrepresented students pursue higher education with greater access, encouragement, and support. Through scholarships and mentorship, the Foundation invests in promising students and seeks to remove barriers between talent and opportunity.
She has a particular passion for encouraging students to explore STEM, healthcare, and other challenging fields where their talents can make a meaningful difference.
In 2026, Maria stepped away from Fortune 100 executive leadership for one year to pursue an accelerated Master of Science in Biomedical Diagnostics at Arizona State University, deepening her knowledge of the science and innovation shaping healthcare.
“Breaking the Barriers is more than the name of a scholarship. It is a commitment to opening doors, expanding possibilities, and helping the next generation believe that their circumstances do not have to define their future.”
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Celebrating students whose talent, perseverance, and potential reflect the spirit of Breaking the Barriers.
JAZZMIN W.
California State University Fullerton
JORDAN S. D.
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
XAVIER M.
Fisk University
JAYDEN J.
Loyola University New Orleans
CHRISTINA A.
University of Michigan
INDIA W.
Purdue University
KIMORA A.
Howard University
NISA-ALLAH M.
Wayne State University
BRIONNA J.
Michigan State University
KYLAN S.
Grand Valley State University
What Our Scholars & Families Say
The impact of a scholarship extends beyond the award itself.
“I am grateful to Shaw Foundation Scholarship – Breaking the Barriers, Inc. for the financial support that helped me graduate with a degree in Journalism from Michigan State University, Class of 2025. Beyond scholarship support, the Foundation gives students and graduates visibility among professionals and potential employers in their fields. I am excited to build my network and begin my career.”
Michigan State University, Class of 2025.
“Receiving this $1,000 scholarship meant so much to me. It provided meaningful financial support during an important transition in my education and reminded me that there are people and organizations who believe in my goals and want to see me succeed.”
Purdue Biomedical Engineering graduate continuing into graduate study in biomedical engineering and device development.
“As a returning recipient, I am grateful for the Foundation's continued support. It means a great deal to know that an organization believes in my future and continues to invest in it.”
Third-year University of Michigan student studying biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience on the pre-med track, with a minor in African American studies.
“This scholarship helped cover educational expenses that Jazzmin's athletic scholarship did not. Thank you for supporting young people and investing in their education.”
Jazzmin attends California State University Fullerton, studies psychology, and competes in Division I track and field.
“This scholarship helped ease the financial responsibilities of completing my education, allowing me to remain focused on my academics, graduation, and preparing for the next chapter of my life.”
Senior at Fisk University majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance.
Could This Scholarship Be For You?
Who May Apply
- Graduating high school seniors accepted into an eligible postsecondary program
- Current undergraduate students
- Community college students
- Trade or technical school students
- Graduate students
Required Materials
- Proof of acceptance or enrollment
- Official academic transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Career-goals essay (250–500 words)
- Required application information
Enrollment Requirement
Applicants must provide proof of full-time enrollment for the upcoming academic year.
Program Cost
Tuition or eligible program costs must total at least $1,000.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts and proof of class registration must come directly from the educational institution. A document uploaded by the student does not by itself satisfy this requirement. Official transcript submission instructions will be provided as part of the application process.
Apply for the Scholarship
The application takes about 20 minutes. You will be asked about yourself, your education, your goals, and asked to upload your supporting documents.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30
Before You Begin
The application takes approximately 20 minutes. To make the process easier, please have the following information and documents ready:
- Current school and GPA information
- Intended major or program of study
- 250–500 word career-goals essay
- Proof of acceptance or current enrollment
- Recommendation letter
- Transcript or academic verification information
Official transcripts and proof of class registration must be sent directly by your educational institution. Official transcript submission instructions will be provided as part of the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help Break the Barriers
Support the scholarship fund and help students reach higher education.