The founders of DYB, Inc.desired to develop a college scholarship program that would help former players obtain a college education. The first eligible players graduated in 1961, one $500 scholarship and one $250 scholarship were awarded. And from its modest beginning, the scholarship program has grown to an impressive venture in awarding scholarships to college freshmen. - DYB began awarding one hundred (100) $2,000 scholarship awards in 2019 and is committed to continuing to award 100 scholarships annually.

DYB funds its scholarship program through interest on funds earmarked for DYB scholarships, late fees and new donations received annually, and any surplus funds transferred from the program’s general operating fund.

The 2024 deadline for submitting completed scholarship applications is March 1st . After the applications are submitted to the DYB Scholarship Chairman, a copy of each scholarship application is sent to each member on the DYB Scholarship Committee. The eleven-member DYB Scholarship Committee is composed of eleven National Board members, one from each of the eleven (11) DYB participating states.

Qualifications are simple; actually, there is only one qualification - the person must have at one time played in a Dixie Youth Baseball franchised league, prior to reaching age 13. There is no relationship between the award of a scholarship and athletic ability. The committee gives weight to such factors as financial need, scholastic record, and citizenship.

After the deadline, the DYB Scholarship Committee members begin the arduous task of reviewing each of the 400-500 applications that are received annually. Each committee member reviews all applications and submits a ballot ranking the top 100 candidates and five alternates. All eleven Committee ballots are compiled, and the weighted average ranking of each scholarship applicant is computed. The applicants with the highest weighted average ranking are awarded the 100 scholarships awards. Five alternates are designated in case one of the scholarships is not accepted.

The Scholarship Chairman notifies the Scholarship Committee members of 100 scholarship winners and then notifies the full DYB Board of Directors of the winners in time for plans to be made for the recognition of the recipients at a "High School Awards Day" ceremonies or during a DYB baseball tournament. Scholarship plaques are ordered for each recipient.

Prior to April 1, the DYB Scholarship Committee completes the selection process. Each scholarship recipient is notified of their award in a congratulatory letter from the Scholarship Chairman. Each awardee is requested to return a scholarship acceptance letter confirming the spelling of their name, provide a picture suitable for publication, and asking them to contact their school for their Student ID# or Account # and the correct address of the school’s financial aid office where the scholarship check is to be sent. The acceptance letter must be received before the money is sent to the school.

The Scholarship Chairman sends a letter for each recipient to his school along with a $2,000 check which is deposited into the account of each student at the school. These funds may be used for tuition, books, room & board, school equipment or school supplies. The school is notified that if the student does not remain enrolled at the school, the unused portion shall be returned to the DYB Scholarship Fund. If the student enrolls in another school, the returned funds will be sent to the new school. If the student does not request funds to be sent to another school, the unused funds are deposited into the DYB Scholarship Fund.

If the student goes into the military or has a health issue that delays his enrollment in school, the Scholarship Committee has authorized those funds to be placed in a deferred account to be used when the recipient does enroll in school in the future. If the student has a full ride as an undergraduate student, he/she may request these funds to be deferred for use in graduate school.  

TO AREA PARENTS & COUNSELORS:

It that time of year again.  Please read this information carefully; THERE ARE A LOT OF DATES TO KEEP UP WITH..  Here are some opportunities for players who have been thru our program to earn college scholarships.

The attachment above is what you will need for the “$500 LOCAL” Hattiesburg Dixie Youth Baseball Scholarship from the Hattiesburg Dixie Youth Program….. Please mail application to HDYB  P. O. Box 211  Hattiesburg, Ms 39403 OR email to Direstor@hdyb.net   Deadline for this local scholarship is Wednesday March 27th, 2024.  We will notify this winner by March 29th, 2024.  We usually present them their award on the opening day at the ballpark which is Saturday April 6th, 2024 this spring.

The attachment at the top of this page is a $2,000 National - Dixie Youth Scholarship that most seniors would be eligible for IF they meet the criteria and have played in any Dixie Youth Baseball program.  You can view the National DYB link at  2024 Youth Scholarship Application_238784.pdf  This deadline for the National Scholarship is March 1st, 2024. 

There is also a $400 State – Mississippi Dixie Youth scholarship.  Once you apply for the National Scholarship; applicants are automatically enrolled for the State level also.  These will be awarded around May 1st.  You will be notified if you are a winner. 

Lastly…so as not to confuse any of you…there is yet another scholarship available for those players who participated in a Dixie Boys baseball program.  This is a $1,250 award.  You can view the application on this link  2023+Scholarship+Application+Update.pdf   Deadline for Dixie Boys is April 1,2024.

I would encourage each of you as parents/counselors to get this information into the hands of your seniors who have participated in Dixie Youth Baseball. These are 3 different types of baseball scholarships from the Dixie Organizations.

Again; Please note the deadlines on each of these…especially the National Dixie Youth Scholarship for March 1.

Please feel free to call me at 601-325-0810 if any questions and Good Luck to your students. !

Freddie Triplett, Director Hattiesburg DYB