The Ben Gates
Memorial Scholarship
Benjamin “Banjo” Gates was a member of COMETS from 2019-2023. He loved everything about FIRST and participated in any way he could – from dancing as the COMETS dinosaur to designing, building, and driving the bot. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan but died in a tragic motorcycle accident on 9/21/25. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of his friends and family, Ben’s parents were able to establish a scholarship in his memory. They will award a one-time scholarship of $500 each year to a COMETS senior.
2026 Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
2026 Scholarship Award Deadline: July 1, 2026
Eligibility Criteria:
- High school senior with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Regular participant in COMETS activities and competitions
- Enrolled in college for the fall of 2026
Application Requirements:
- In no more than two pages (12-point, double-spaced), describe what you have done in COMETS, what you have gained from participating in FIRST, where you plan to attend college, and what degree you intend to pursue
- At the top of the first page, state your name, email, phone, and the name of a COMETS coach or mentor who supports your application. Ben’s parents will contact the coach or mentor
- Written proof of high school GPA
Contributions to the Ben Gates Memorial Scholarship can be sent to the COMETS Venmo account, @Tim-Peterson-3357. In the “What’s this for?” line, note “Ben Gates Memorial Fund.”
FIRST Robotics Team 3357 is a 501(c)3 non-profit.