Start a ripple

• Be a graduating high school senior planning to attend a four-year accredited academic institution
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a legal resident of California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, or North Carolina.
• Have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
• Demonstrate financial need (annual household income no greater than $80,000)
• Possess excellent leadership skills, an ability to persevere through difficult circumstances, and a strong interest in and commitment to your community

This first round of the application process consists of collecting eligibility and demographic information, as well as a short answer response. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

If approved, applicants will be invited to Round 2 on a rolling basis.

DEADLINE: November 21, 2023

The second round requires you to submit your transcript, test scores (with exception), additional demographic information, two letters of recommendation, your FAFSA Student Aid Report, short answer responses, and an essay response.

Semi-finalists will be notified in early January 2023.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2023

Semi-finalists will be invited to create and submit a short video response. Submissions are simple and a cellphone video or video from your laptop will be sufficient; no video editing is required.

Finalists will be notified in early March 2024.

DEADLINE: January 24, 2024

Finalists will be invited to submit updated transcripts, test scores (optional), a headshot, college acceptance status, other scholarship awards statuses, and to schedule an interview. 

Interviews will be held in-person within each applicant’s home state the weeks of March 20, March 27, and April 3, 2024.

DEADLINE (submission & scheduling): April 4, 2024