WHAT WE DO
THIS ONE IS ON US
Today’s environment of higher education is often one of extreme economic pressure, and soaring student loan debt is gravely impacting the U.S. and global economy.
The Erickson Merkel Foundation was founded to assist and reward students who are doing everything possible to meet education costs and achieve their academic and professional goals without burdening themselves with heavy student loan debt. We award scholarships to candidates who exemplify the values of hard work, creativity, and service — not just students who earn a high GPA, but the sort of students who are putting themselves through school by working tenaciously at full-time or multiple part-time jobs.
All donations to the foundation are tax-deductible and applied directly, and in-full, to scholarship funds used to help hardworking students.
We do this because your hard work needs to be acknowledged, valued and rewarded.
About the EMF
The Erickson Merkel Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 2014 to reward workhorse scholars — students who are doing what is necessary to achieve their goals, all while avoiding burdensome and economically damaging student loan debt.
Our board of directors includes members with diverse backgrounds and from all walks of life — who all understand the value of hard work. The board convenes annually to discuss and work toward the foundation’s mission and to select scholarship winners.
Since inception, the Erickson Merkel Foundation has awarded $40,000 in academic scholarships.
We’ve proudly assisted dozens of workhorse scholars pursuing academic goals.