The Order of Isshin-Ryu Martial Arts (OIMA) has two Scholarships available:
The OIMA Scholarship
and the
Grandmaster Toby Cooling Memorial Scholarship
The OIMA Scholarship
The OIMA scholarship is available for students who are enrolled in one of the Order of Isshin-Ryu Dojo. The scholarship is awarded for training costs associated with your pursuit of training in the OIMA programs at your dojo, or undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in or planning to enroll at least part-time in an academic program offered by an accredited institution of higher learning.
Award amounts vary. The following general guidelines apply based upon scholarship type:
| TYPE OF AWARD | AWARD AMOUNT | APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Undergraduate or Graduate Student | $500 per academic year (2 full semesters) |
October 1 (for Spring semester) April 1 (For Summer or Fall semester) |
| Dojo Monthly Training Dues (based on need) | Reduced rate based on Sensei’s discretion | Rolling submission |
| Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament | 1/2 cost of hotel and tournament competition fee |
May 31 |
| Other tournaments (Isshin-Ryu only or Open) | 1/2 cost of hotel and tournament competition fee |
60 days prior to tournament date |
NOTE: these are the current scholarship offerings.
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a student in good standing in an OIMA dojo, and/or be enrolled in an online/resident certificate or degree program offered by an accredited institution of higher learning as a part- or full-time undergraduate or graduate student.
If you are interested in applying for any of these scholarship opportunities, please download and complete an application. Provide the following to your sensei for submission:
- Cover page which denotes which scholarship you are applying for
- Completed and signed application
- Essay (download writing prompt suggestions from this webpage)
- Two letters of recommendation (see application)
- Acceptance letter from your school (for undergraduate and graduate applications)
Scholarship Application Writing Prompts
The Grandmaster Toby Cooling Memorial Scholarship
Grandmaster Walter E. “Toby” Cooling was a longtime resident of Chesapeake City, Maryland and a graduate of Bohemia Manor High School and the University of Baltimore with a B.S. in Personnel/Labor Relations. Toby was a police officer for Cecil County, Maryland and also served as a reserve deputy for the Douglas County, Nevada Sheriff’s Department. This award is to memorialize Toby Cooling’s past contributions to the Chesapeake City and Cecil County communities. The OIMA wishes to support Bohemia Manor High School’s mission which states, “to educate and prepare all learners to be capable and productive members of society.”
The award shall provide financial assistance to a Bohemia Manor High School senior who desires a college degree. The student must currently attend Bohemia Manor High School. The source of funds for this scholarship is from the OIMA Scholarship Fund. The OIMA will be responsible for distribution and follow-up to a qualified candidate. The student must show proof of acceptance into a degree program before the scholarship will be issued.
The OIMA Scholarship and Grandmaster Toby Cooling Memorial Scholarship are both funded by donations. The Order of Isshin-ryu is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible in accordance with section 170(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code.