James M. Slay Detachment #329

"Once a Marine, always a Marine."

Name: The Sergeant Bruce Heilman Scholarship

Purpose: The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to one outstanding high school senior who is a cadet in each of the 4 Marine Corps JROTC (“MCJROTC”) units in the Richmond area who intends to pursue higher education at a “Qualifying Institution.” Qualifying Institutions are
defined as vocational schools, technical schools, community colleges, junior colleges, and 4-year colleges. Courses may be taken in a traditional classroom, online, remotely, or via correspondence.

Amount: Each scholarship award will generally be $1,000. The amount, terms, and criteria for this scholarship may be amended at the discretion of the Detachment.

Selection: The MCJROTC Leadership at each school, in consultation with their school’s respective academic and administrative leadership as they deem appropriate, will identify the MCJROTC Cadet who is a high school senior to receive the scholarship. Although the Cadet’s Grade Point Average may be a factor, the Cadet selected should be the Cadet who in every manner, practices and manifests the Marine Corps’ Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and who has demonstrated good Leadership within their unit and their school and the potential to become a good citizen and leader within their community. The Cadet selected must also be one who intends upon graduation from high school, to attend a Qualifying Institution to further their education. If a Cadet decides to defer further qualifying education for any reason, disbursement of scholarship funds shall be deferred for up to 1 year from the date of graduation from high school, and the Scholarship Committee shall earmark Heilman Scholarship Funds for such Cadet. If unclaimed for 1 year from the date of the award, the Cadet forfeits the award in which case it will
be added to the funds available for future scholarship awards.

Process: During each school year, MCJROTC Leadership at each school should announce the availability, terms, and criteria of the scholarship.
By March 31st after being selected as a scholarship recipient and being accepted by a Qualifying Institution, Cadets and their MCJROTC Instructor must complete the attached Recipient Data Form. Upon completion of this form, instructor should give it (or email it) to the instructor’s contact at the MCL Detachment by March 31st. Instructor must confirm receipt by MCJROTC liaison. A check payable to the institution/US Treasury will be delivered to the cadet either 1) at the Cadet’s high schools award night or 2) at the Detachment’s award ceremony on the 4th Saturday in April. The cadet should deliver the check to the institution upon registration. If the Cadet elects to receive the award at the Detachment’s award ceremony (even if deferring their award), the Cadet, accompanied by MCJROTC instructor, should wear their Class “A” MCJROTC uniform. Instructor to confirm time and place with MCJROTC liaison. Cadet’s family is also invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony.

For additional information, contact the Detachment’s current MCJROTC Liaison found under the Contact Us tab of this website.

James M. Slay Detachment
Marine Corps JROTC
Updated March 2, 2026