Mean Green Comet Debate Institute

Scholarships / Financial Aid

The Mean Green Comet is committed to making summer debate camp affordable to all while offering the highest quality in debate education. Since 2017, the MGC has provided over $100,000 in financial assistance and scholarships to students in every division. This year we are excited to continue our commitment to helping students attend camp while also partnering with the local debate community to offer new scholarship opportunities rewarding debate excellence, leadership, community service and academics. Below you'll find a complete list of our scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

Please see below for a list of all the Scholarships, Discounts, and Financial Assistance available at the Mean Green Comet.


Jerrell Braden Memorial Scholarship

This is a full ride scholarship available for a student who is interested in attending the policy debate Mean Green Comet Scholars Lab. Jerrell believed that policy debate provided students with the skills necessary to engage the world and the empathy necessary to advocate for and improve their communities. Interested students should send proof of financial need and an essay expressing what policy debate means to them.

  • 2017 Recipients – Cheyenne Clopton, Sophie Rahman and Alejandra Trillo
  • 2018 Recipients – Hillary Nguyen and Benjamin Smith
  • 2019 Recipients – Sonya Doubledee, Hannah Ghebrelul and Donna Jalosjos
  • 2020 Recipient – Zach Jones

Jerrell Braden Memorial Scholarship Application


MGC Women in Debate Scholarship

This scholarship is available to any student applying to the Mean Green Comet Debate Institute. The Mean Green Comet is deeply committed to attracting, retaining and advancing women’s participation in high school debate. As part of our efforts to achieve this goal, we are providing the financial assistance necessary for more students to attend a summer debate institute. This scholarship is part of our ongoing efforts to foster the development of women’s leadership in the debate community. Interested students should submit an essay expressing why debate is important in their life and a letter of recommendation.

  • 2018 Recipients – Alexa Rhoades and Bonnie Fischer
  • 2019 Recipients – Jaanvi Shah and Ashley Rihani
  • 2020 Recipients – Fatima Rizvi, Madeline Wilson, Prisha Vithalani

MGC Women in Debate Scholarship Application


The Kandi King Scholars at the Mean Green Comet Debate Institute

The Mean Green Comet is excited to announce the first annual Kandi King Scholars awards. Kandi King is a lifelong debate and speech educator, TFA hall-of-fame inductee, and one of the activities most awarded educators. This scholarship honors Kandi’s passion, dedication and service by awarding 4 full-ride scholarships to the MGC for students who exemplify the ideals Kandi embodied in her 35+ years as an award-winning speech and debate educator. Applicants should demonstrate commitment to their activity, honor goodwill and diversity in competition, and above all, love for speech and debate.

The Kandi King Scholars Application


Urban Debate League Discount

Students from UDL programs will receive discounts of 10% off the cost of tuition. This discount applies for any participants who currently debate at a UDL-member school regardless of who contributes to tuition payments. This may not be combined with any other discounts. Please contact Louie Petit to receive a UDL coupon code.

Email Louie Petit at louis.petit@unt.edu


Faculty / Staff Discount

The Mean Green Comet is happy to provide UNT and UTD faculty and staff discounts. for UNT or UTD staff and faculty are available. Please contact Louie Petit to receive a Faculty/Staff coupon code.

Email Louie Petit at louis.petit@unt.edu


Financial Assistance

The Mean Green Comet Debate Institute is committed to providing middle school and high school students across the country an opportunity to attend a debate summer camp. Financial assistance is reviewed by the MGC assistance committee and provided based on student need.

Apply here