Deadline:

The applications are closed. No new applications will be accepted.

Hope CommUnity Center offers scholarships for students applying to or studying in post-secondary institutions. This includes technical colleges, 2-year colleges and 4-year universities. Scholarships must be used for tuition, books, school fees or transportation.

Eligibility:
  • High School graduates and post-secondary students who are affiliated with Hope CommUnity Center (HCC). 
  • 40 credit hours of community service completed by the scholarship application deadline, with at least 60% of hours completed at the Hope CommUnity Center and 40% able to be completed at one of our partner organizations. Credit hours already used in last year’s application will not be accepted.

*Note: If the applicant has not completed 40 hours of community service, the student should contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lynn Devanie – [email protected], to check the possibility of completing these hours before the application deadline.

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Financial need (see explanation in section below)*
Applicants must submit the following:
  • Completed application form.
  • Current college or technical school transcript (include fall semester grades, if currently enrolled).
    • If the student has not started college, a copy of their final high school transcript and “confirmation of application” or admission letter from a college is required.
  • One letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor.
  • One letter of recommendation from a Hope Community Center program director.
  • *Copy of the 2024–25 FAFSA Submission Summary (preferred) OR copy of 2023 income tax return of parents and/or student OR W-2 Form of 2023 of parents and/or student OR copy of parent and/or student’s most recent W2.
  • Most current resume which includes the following: community service, sports, music, employment, internships, academics, extracurricular, etc.
  • An essay that responds to one of the following questions:
    • How will this scholarship support you in achieving your academic and personal goals? Please write a short essay answering this question, including information about your family, work experience, community involvement, hobbies, and what you hope to do in the future.
    • Please describe how you have contributed to your community in the past, what you hope to contribute going forward and how you think your efforts will help you grow and improve your community?
    • Please share a personal story about a time you experienced a personal transformation because of your service to the community.
  • Essay guidelines: An excellent essay is clearly written and accurately portrays who you are. This may include but is not limited to: self-reflection, educational goals, dreams, aspirations, and past achievements. The scholarship committee will not be counting words, but will be looking for an essay that tells a full story.
  • A short response to the following questions:
    • In your own words, describe what it means to be an “engaged community member”? How do you exemplify that at Hope, in the classroom and in your own community?
  • Short-Answer guidelines: An excellent short answer is clearly written and portrays your service experience along with the impact it has had on your life and your community. The scholarship committee will not be counting words, but generally, a short-answer response will fill half a page.
If selected, the student will be responsible for the following during the 2023-2024 school year:
  • Attend HCC Scholarship ceremony in May 2024
  • Maintain academic progress and persistence. This is defined by the maintenance of at least a 2.5 GPA for the duration of school year for which the awardee is receiving funds.
  • Students must attend all monthly Hope Rising meetings. 7 meetings total.
    • Students are required to attend all monthly meetings. The time spent in these meetings will NOT be counted towards volunteer hours. In the event that a student must miss any monthly meeting, they will be required to attend a make up meeting with the Coordinator. If the student misses 2 monthly meetings without completing a make-up meeting, they must submit a letter of appeal which clearly outlines the reason for missing the meeting.

Those who do not complete this process will not be considered in the next scholarship cycle. In the case of full-ride students, missing the mandatory meetings may result in the loss of scholarship. Appeals may be denied.

  • Commitment days for monthly meetings

Fall 2024 6:00-8:00pm

September 12th – October 24th – November 21st – December 17th

Spring 2025 6:00-8:00pm

January 16th – February 20th – March 13th

* Make up days for missed meetings will be the Friday after Hope Rising meetings at 2:00pm

  • Application of funds within 2 years
    • Funds must be used within 2 years of the awarded date. Failure to use the funds within that time will result in their expiration.
  • Proof of class registration
    • All scholarship recipients, including those who have received a full ride through other scholarship opportunities or Hope CommUnity Center, must submit proof of class registration each semester.
  • Individual Advisory Meeting
    • This meeting will be scheduled by the Access to Education Team once a year.

Hey there! Just a heads-up – if you submit this application, you’re agreeing to stick to what’s listed above. If you don’t follow these expectations, you might not be able to apply for the Hope Scholarship again for the 2025-2026 school year.
Please make sure you meet all the requirements and have all the documentation and attachments necessary before filling out the form. You will not be able to edit or attach any missing information after you’ve submitted your application. Incomplete application submissions will not be considered.

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