The Next Step Starts Here for our 2026 Scholarship Recipients

This year, we awarded scholarships totaling $1.4 million to Coast Guard dependent children pursuing higher education at colleges and trade schools across the country.

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke

August 26, 2026

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we are proud to announce another record-breaking year in 2026.

This year, we awarded 347 scholarships totaling $1.4 million to Coast Guard dependent children pursuing higher education at colleges, universities and trade schools across the country.

"We know how much hard work and sacrifice go into reaching this moment and we are so proud of each and every one of our scholarship recipients," said Susan Ludwig, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. "These scholarships help students right now and give them the support they need to take that next step toward their future."

In addition, the Coast Guard Foundation is awarding nine Fallen Heroes Scholarships this year to children of Coast Guard members who died in operational, line-of-duty service. These scholarships cover 100% of tuition and related expenses, providing important support to families while honoring the service and sacrifice of their Coast Guard loved one.

Coast Guard Foundation scholarships help students pursue college, trade school, and other education opportunities while easing the financial burden on their families. They also help reduce student loan debt and allow students to focus more fully on their studies.

This announcement features six scholarship stories that highlight the impact of this support on Coast Guard families.

Noah Bustamente and Sensi Carter, 2026 Coast Guard Foundation scholarship recipients.

Noah Bustamente of North Bend, Oregon, graduated from North Bend Senior High School and attends Cal Poly Humboldt to study marine biology. He is the son of Captain Jason Bustamente. Noah has spent his life in a Coast Guard family, an experience that helped shape his goal of one day serving as a Coast Guard officer and aviator. A four-sport varsity athlete, he competed in swimming, track and field, soccer and cross country and serving as a team captain. He also volunteers with Oregon Special Olympics, works as a lifeguard, and serves as a marine mammal assistant at the Charleston Marine Life Center. After college, he plans to apply to Officer Candidate School and begin the path toward a career in Coast Guard aviation.

Sensi Carter of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying fashion merchandising and a three-year Coast Guard Foundation scholarship recipient and the daughter of Senior Chief Willie Carter. She is also pursuing a minor in marketing as she builds toward a career in the fashion industry, with interests in styling and other creative work. Sensi hopes one day to work for herself and continues to explore the many directions her talents may take her.

“I'm so incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship,” shared Sensi. “As I continue to nurture my independence as a young adult throughout this journey, I am deeply appreciative of the Coast Guard Foundation for its support. Beyond my academic goals, I hope to continue growing as a fashion professional and gain a strong start on a meaningful career path.

2026 Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship recipient Joseph Gary VI.

Joseph Gary VI of Bourne, Massachusetts, is entering his third year at the University of Hartford, where he is majoring in robotics. He is the son of Senior Chief Joseph Gary V. Joseph balances a demanding academic schedule with an extraordinary range of leadership roles and hands-on engineering work. He interned and worked part-time with an aeronautics company, serves as an engineering ambassador, supports fellow students in the university’s makerspace, and plays in the Pep Band. He is also involved in the Formula SAE team and the university’s NASA Rocket Team.

“It is my distinct honor to be a ‘Coastie Kid’ and I am so proud of my father and his 33 years of service,” shared Joseph. “I plan to begin work on my capstone project for my robotics engineering major, continue my participation in school clubs, remain an ambassador for my college, and work both on and off campus. I appreciate your faith in me, and I can't wait to see what this school year holds.”

Hayden Procida, Mulu Starr-Hollow and Maya Wolfe, 2026 Coast Guard Foundation scholarship recipients

Hayden Procida of Hampstead, North Carolina, is a recipient of a Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and Capt. James Si-Cheng Chao Scholarship and the daughter or retired Coast Guard veteran Anthony Procida. A graduate of Topsail High School, she is attending Penn State University, where she plans to study systems neuroscience and prepare for medical school with the goal of becoming a neurologist. In addition to her academic achievements, Hayden worked part-time, played lacrosse, participated in Key Club, and volunteered with a local hospice.

“With this scholarship, I’m able to reach my education and life goals,” shared Hayden. “Your support is a vote of confidence in my potential and a source of motivation for work hard.”

Mulu Starr-Hollow of Astoria, Oregon, is attending Orange Coast Community College in California to learn carpentry, electrical and plumbing trades after graduating from Astoria High School this past spring. He is a Charlotte Bollinger Scholarship recipient this year and the child of retired Coast Guard veteran O’Brien Starr-Hollow.

A three-year varsity basketball player, Mulu balanced school, practices and games while keeping his grades high and staying focused on his future. He also worked in landscaping and construction, experiences that strengthened his interest in the trades and gave him a clearer vision for what comes next. Mulu plans to build the skills he needs in trade school and eventually start his own construction company, with the goal of doing high-quality work and creating opportunities for others in his community.

“Thank you again for investing in my education and believing in students like me,” shared Mulu. “This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education. It brings me one step closer to reaching my goal of earning my degree in carpentry and building a successful future.”

Maya Wolfe is a three-year Coast Guard Foundation scholarship recipient and is studying chemical engineering at the University of Rhode Island, where she is on track to graduate in 2028. She plans to continue her education through URI’s one-year master’s program before pursuing a second graduate degree in materials science and engineering. She is the daughter of retired Coast Guard veteran Christopher Wolfe. Outside the classroom, Maya volunteers through a Society of Women Engineers partnership that introduces local K-12 students to engineering, helping encourage girls to explore the field.

Maya shared, “I was proud that I could bring a little taste of what engineering is like to the kids. I also enjoyed seeing the different ways they tackled the egg drop challenge. This experience taught me why it is so important to offer community outreach events, as well as how important older students are as role models for younger students.”

“Thank you for the support and the opportunity to continue my education. This past year would not have been possible without the Coast Guard Foundation scholarship, as it allowed me to focus on my studies.”

Charlotte Bollinger Scholarship
Clark Brennecke | New Orleans, Louisiana
Mitchell Dudley | Conway, South Carolina
James Dufficy | Williamsburg, Virginia
Mulu Starr-Hollow | Astoria, Oregon

Abbott L. Brown Scholarship
Arianna Guerrero | Port Hueneme, California
Dane Manning | Huntington Beach, California

Busch/Corliss Family Education Fund Scholarship
Lukas Suarez | Parrish, Florida

Captain Richard O. Buttrick Scholarship
Arianne Medina | Carver, Massachusetts
Vincent Pinetti | Mashpee, Massachusetts

Commander Ronald J. Cantin Scholarship
Josie Konert | Lewiston, Montana

William Cargill Scholarship
Efrain Geigel | Galloway, New Jersey

CG36500 Scholarship
John Paul Vallejo | San Antonio, Texas

Commander Daniel J. Christovich Scholarship
Chase Renert | Chesapeake, Virginia

Clappin Family Scholarship
Emily Coakley | St. Augustine, Florida
Abigail Hines | Lisbon, Connecticut
Chloe Melendez | Ramona, California
Lucille Short | Panama City, Florida

Crowley Maritime Scholarship
Aidan Farmer | Staten Island, New York

Captain Paul E. Deveau Scholarship
Camden Fluhr | Camden, North Carolina

Eight Bells Scholarship
Austin Jones | Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fitzpatrick Family Scholarship
Emma Gallaher | Slidell, Louisiana

CAPT Ernest W. Fox Scholarship
Emily Harris | Shawboro, North Carolina

LCDR Ezekiel Fulcher and Mavis Wilde Fulcher Memorial Scholarship
Ronald Hill | Mashpee, Massachusetts

Allan and Elaine Gifford Living Trust Scholarship
Molly Joca | Kailua, Hawaii

Admiral Ed Gilbert Honorary Scholarship
Peyton Bradley | Poquoson, Virginia

Eleanor Gilford Scholarship
Lilly Jenkins | Abington, Massachusetts

Lt. Anthony Grande Scholarship
Jacob Wood | Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

HII Scholarship
Irelynn Segelken | League City, Texas

CAPT Jimmie Hobaugh Endowed Education Fund Scholarship
Brody Day | Traverse City, Michigan

Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation Scholarship
Esteban Figueroa | Plantation, Florida
Brayden Mazza | Moss Point, Mississippi

Admiral Robert E. Kramek Scholarship
Emma Brooks | Eureka, Missouri
Delilah Colton | Coleville, Washington
Henry Nabach | Arlington, Virginia
Ta-Mya Woods | Houston, Texas

Thomas Niles Scholarship
Elizabeth Drew | Bourne, Massachusetts
Paytyn Dyer | Bristol, Maryland
Lorraine Jensen | Virginia Beach City, Virginia
Madison Lempke | Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Mason Pinti | East Hampstead, New Hampshire
Alyson Sojak | Barnegat, New Jersey

Noël Foundation Scholarship
Natalie Ramirez | Malibu, California

The CAPT James F. Phair, USCG Memorial Scholarship
Alexis Baumgartner | Temecula, California
Jonathan Blatchley | Southington, Connecticut
Samuel Gardner | Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Ava Gauthier | Stafford, Virginia
Connor Goodwin | Staten Island, New York
Kaylee Ross | Santa Rosa, California

Red Stripe Scholarship
Terri Foster | Gales Ferry, Connecticut
Cody Hudgins | Williamsburg, Virginia
Lucie Williams | Kalispell, Montana

David M. Rudy Scholarship
Kaydence Diner | Brooks, Georgia

Seaman First Class Peter J. Russo and Signalman Third Class Walter E. Lafferty Scholarship
Jayden Justiniano | Tampa, Florida

Neafi Scarborough Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Mia Marquez | Spanaway, Washington

Slattery Family Scholarship
Noah Bencomo | Chesapeake, Virginia
Emma Brewer | Richmond, Virginia
Abigail Hays | Ocean City, New Jersey
Emma Smith | Bayboro, North Carolina

Harold T.N. Smith Coast Guard Scholarship
John Aulden Perkins | Princeton, West Virginia
Abigail Scott | Steep Falls, Maine

Thomas Stitt, Sr. Family Scholarship
Marissa Falcone | Cedar Point, North Carolina

Thiele Family Scholarship
Hailey Adkisson | Bolivia, North Carolina
Gianna Endicott | Woodbine, New Jersey

Westbrook Scholarship
Emma Feagans | Selbyville, Delaware
Nathaniel Figueroa | Hastings, Florida
Brandon Nadeau | Ocean Pines, Maryland

In the cover photo: Jeremy Mahle, Eylin Arredondo, Marlene Bessetti, Gavin Randolph.

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke

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