Applications Are Open: The 2026 Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship
Every year, community banks across Georgia have the privilege of doing something truly meaningful: investing in the next generation. Through the Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship, South Georgia Banking Company (SGBC) is proud to help connect exceptional local students with an opportunity to fund their future.
Applications are open now — and we want to hear from you. Submit to your nearest SGBC banking center.
About the Scholarship
The Julian & Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship was established by the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) to assist deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote the value of community banking across the state.
Each year, four (4) $1,000 scholarships are awarded to outstanding Georgia high school seniors who demonstrate strong academic achievement and active community involvement. Awards are based on academic merit — not financial need.
A Legacy Worth Honoring
The scholarship carries a story that makes it all the more meaningful.
It is named in honor of Julian Hester, a beloved community banker and longtime CEO of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, and his daughter, Jan Hester, who was a senior at the University of Georgia when she passed away in an automobile accident on April 15, 1990.
This scholarship is more than financial assistance — it’s a way to carry forward the integrity, dedication, and community spirit that both Julian and Jan embodied. By supporting students who reflect those same qualities, the scholarship ensures their legacy lives on through the leaders of tomorrow.
Who Is Eligible?
Any Georgia high school senior who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:
- Plans to attend a Georgia university, college, or technical institute (two-year program or more)
- Will enroll in the fall semester of 2026 following high school graduation
- Will be enrolled as a full-time student
- Is sponsored by a local community bank (that’s where SGBC comes in!)
What Does the Application Require?
To compete, students must submit:
- A completed activity record highlighting leadership involvement in school and community
- A short essay on community banking
- Teacher recommendations
- An official high school transcript
Students must be sponsored by a local community bank — and SGBC is here to help identify and nominate outstanding students from our community.
Important Deadlines
Don’t wait — these deadlines will be here before you know it!
- Applications Due to SGBC: April 3, 2026
- Applications Due to CBA: April 10, 2026
How to Apply
If you’re a high school senior who is driven, involved, and ready to make your mark, we’d love to sponsor your application. To learn more about the scholarship and the application process, visit https://www.cbaofga.com/jan-and-julian-hester-scholarship.
To submit your application, reach out to your nearest SGBC banking center.
Together, we invest in people. That’s what community banking is all about!