Heat Social Responsibility Scholarships

The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund is offering (5) HEAT Scholarships to high school seniors attending Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe or Palm Beach schools. Scholarship applications are available each school year and recipients are awarded between April and May. This year's application deadline is Saturday, January 17, 2026. This will be the 30th year that the Miami HEAT has offered scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and outstanding community service. Scholarships include the following:

1. Three (3) $10,000.00 HEAT Scholarships
2. One (1) $10,000.00 Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarshipp
3. One (1) $10,000.00 Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship

Miami HEAT Scholarship: Awarded to students who have excelled in academics & community service and have demonstrated a financial need.

Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarship: Awarded to a student who has excelled in academics & community service and has demonstrated a financial need.

Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship: Awarded to a student who excels in academics & community service, participates in a sport and has demonstrated a financial need.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applications are due by Saturday, January 17, 2026. Completed applications must be postmarked by this date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A Miami HEAT representative will contact the potential recipients of the HEAT Scholarships prior to June 30, 2026 to confirm their acceptance of a scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded per the eligibility criteria below and per all NBA rules and regulations. Scholarship awards will be applied towards the winners’ first year college tuition in the Fall of 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

• To be considered for any of our five HEAT Scholarships, the student must meet the following criteria:
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
• Applicant must be a high school student enrolled in a Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe or Palm Beach County public or private school.
• Applicant must have a minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.0 by the end of the first grading period of their senior year.
• Applicant must submit an official transcript from the high school registrar.
• Applicant must submit a copy of their SAT and/or ACT score.
• Applicant must have an unmet financial need for assistance as determined by their accepted university’s Financial Aid Office.
• Letters to be submitted by applicant:
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation each from a current high school teacher or administrator on school letterhead.
  • Two (2) or more letters from a community based organization, on that specific organization’s letterhead verifying community service and hours performed.
  • One (1) letter from High School Athletic Director or Coach on school letterhead verifying candidate’s participation in a high school sport. (Only applies to Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship applicants).
• Applicant must be accepted to and enroll in a four-year accredited college or university in the USA. Applicant must submit at least one letter of acceptance from the four-year accredited college or university they plan to attend (multiple if undecided on choice of college or university).
• Applicant must submit a writing sample as outlined in the application form.
• Children or grandchildren of current employees of the Miami HEAT are not eligible.

SELECTION CRITERIA

A panel comprised of Miami HEAT employees and Miami HEAT Charitable Fund Board Members will review/rate the eligible applications and make final decisions on scholarship awards based upon the criteria set forth below. The following criteria will be considered equally in evaluating applicants:

• Career Goals
• Writing Sample
• Financial Need
• Teacher/School official recommendations
• Academic Achievement
• Community Service Verification Letter(s)
• College/University Acceptance Letter
• Sport Participation Verification Letter (Only applies to Alec Kessler Student-Athlete Scholarship applicants)