SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
DETAILS

CRITERIA:

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR THOSE NEW TO JIU JITSU.  THIS IS DEFINED AS HAVING NOT TRAINED IN JIU JITSU, OR BEING A WHITE BELT IN JIU JITSU WITH LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF FORMAL JIU JITSU OR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING. PRE-SERVICE WRESTLING AND MILITARY COMBATIVES TRAINING DO NOT AFFECT ELIGIBILITY.  WE DEFY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE EXPERIENCE LEVEL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

Must be a veteran who served in an area of combat operations.

Must be separated/retired from active duty status. Current and former members of the National Guard or Reserves may also apply if they meet all other listed criteria.

Must be a disabled combat veteran (mental or physical) with a 80% or higher disability rating.

Must provide proof of honorable discharge from military service DD214.

Must provide VA entitlement/rating letter.

Must be willing to commit to training at least a minimum of two times per week at a We Defy Foundation Approved Training Facility for the duration of one year.

A Special Criteria Waiver exists on a case by case basis for unique circumstances (e.g. training accident, sexual assault, other circumstances related to military service).

PROGRAM DETAILS:

If approved, We Defy Foundation will provide the following:

1)  A twelve (12) month scholarship to train Jiu Jitsu at an Approved Training Facility.

2)  Two (2) GIs including We Defy Patches. 

3)  Private coaching (Must be board approved on a case by case basis).

4)  Special training equipment (Must be board approved on a case by case basis).

SELECTION PROCESS:

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR THOSE NEW TO JIU JITSU. THIS IS DEFINED AS HAVING NOT TRAINED IN JIU JITSU, OR BEING A WHITE BELT IN JIU JITSU WITH LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF FORMAL JIU JITSU OR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING. PRE-SERVICE WRESTLING AND MILITARY COMBATIVES TRAINING DO NOT AFFECT ELIGIBILITY. WE DEFY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE EXPERIENCE LEVEL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE YOUR DD214 SHOWING AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE, YOUR VA ELIGIBILITY LETTER, AND A 60 SECOND VIDEO TELLING US WHAT YOU FEEL YOU COULD GAIN FROM A WE DEFY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP.

To apply, please scroll down and click on the scholarship application link, then email your required documents and video to Keely@wedefyfoundation.org, or contact us with questions.

Our Scholarship Application is currently closed. 

Please click here to access the scholarship application on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 11am EST..