Deadline:
Hope Rising Scholarship Opens February 3rd, 2025
Deadline: March 16th, 2025, at 11:00pm
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 a “confirmation of application” or admission letter from a college is required.
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One letter from a professor, advisor, or teacher.
- One letter from a Hope Community Center program director/Manager.
- Financial Documentation (choose one):
- Copy of the 2025–26 FAFSA Submission Summary (preferred), OR
- Copy of the 2024 income tax return of parents and/or student, OR
- Copy of parent and/or student’s most recent W-2 form.
- Most current resumes include community service, sports, music, employment, internships, academics, and extracurricular activities.
- Essay response to one of the following questions. (Please include the essay prompt you selected at the top of your response.)
- Looking ahead to the next 5 years, what personal values and experiences will guide you as you work toward your academic and career goals? Reflect on how this scholarship will help you achieve those goals.
- Describe a time when you overcame a significant challenge. How did this experience shape your outlook on life, your academic journey, and your future aspirations?
- Reflect on someone who has inspired you to serve your community. How have their actions shaped your own sense of responsibility and commitment to giving back?
Essay Guidelines: An excellent essay is clearly written and provides a deep understanding of who you are, your values, and your experiences. This may include self-reflection, educational goals, dreams, aspirations, and past achievements. The scholarship committee will not count words but will look for a full and meaningful story.
Short-answer responses to one of the following prompts.
- What does “building community” mean to you, and how have you contributed to creating a sense of belonging at Hope or in your broader community?
- What life skills have you developed through your community involvement, and how do you plan to apply them in your academic or career journey?
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, students will be responsible for fulfilling the following requirements to maintain their scholarship:
Academic and Meeting Requirements:
- Scholarship Ceremony: Attend the Scholarship Ceremony in May 2025.
- Academic Progress: Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for the duration of the scholarship period.
- Mandatory Scholar Meetings: Attend two required meetings:
August 2025 (date to be announced; students will be notified at least one month in advance).
January 2026 (date to be announced; students will be notified at least one month in advance).
- Hope Rising Retreat: Participate in the Hope Rising Retreat in July 2025 (date to be announced; students will be notified at least one month in advance).
- Hope CommUniversity Trainings: Attend at least two Hope CommUniversity Trainings (dates to be announced; students will be notified at least one month in advance).
- Volunteer Hours: Complete a minimum of 40 volunteer hours during the scholarship period.
Administrative Requirements:
Proof of Class Registration:
- Submit proof of class registration each semester.
- This requirement applies to all recipients, including those with full-ride scholarships from other sources or Hope CommUnity Center.
Application of Funds:
- Scholarship funds must be used within two years of the awarded date.
- Unused funds after this period will expire.
Individual Advisory Meeting:
Schedule and attend a one-on-one advisory meeting with 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.