The Opportunity Rising Foundation offers four types of scholarships for people who live in DHA supported housing.

Each scholarship supports a specific stage of one’s educational path. Whether you are preparing to enter college, are a returning college student, or are working to secure your GED, there is a scholarship for you. If you meet the criteria of one of the scholarships below, we hope that you will apply!

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Qualified students may apply for scholarships here. There is an online version of the application you may submit digitally in English. If you prefer to print the application and mail/scan it instead, there are PDF versions of the applications available for you.

Opportunity Rising Scholarship

The Opportunity Rising Scholarship is for current high school and General Education Development (GED) students who are under 19 years of age and are enrolling in an institution of higher learning for the Fall Semester of the upcoming school year.

  • Read Requirements

    Eligibility requirements are:

    • Student must reside in DHA supported housing
    • Becoming a graduate with a high school diploma or GED
    • Enrolling in an institution of higher learning for the Fall Semester of the upcoming school year
    • Must complete this application in its entirety

     

    To apply for this scholarship, students submit the following:

    • Completed scholarship packet
    • Email one recommendation letter (letters can be from an employer, community representative, or school official)
    • Email a copy of GPA, SAT, and ACT scores
    • Email a photograph (headshot only)
    • Complete the “Let’s Talk About You” section
    • Submit a 500-word typed essay (not to exceed 550 words) The theme for this year’s essay submission is “The Labor, Loss and Love of a Pandemic.” In the essay, please explain what you would do and how you would handle a pandemic in your city and community. Please explain the labor, loss and love that one experiences in a pandemic event.

     

    Each essay will be judged on:

    • Quality of content
    • Ability to captivate the reader
    • Originality
    • Correct grammar usage (punctuation and spelling)
    • Overall presentation

     

    Deadline: Friday, June 12, 2020 at 5pm CST

Application Download (English)

The Ascend Scholarship

The Ascend Scholarship is for a returning college student preparing to enter his/her second year in an institution of higher learning with no lapses in semester to help offset some of the cost of the student’s education.

  • Read Requirements

    Ascend eligibility requirements are:

    • Student must reside in DHA supported housing
    • Student must be preparing to enter his/her second year in an institution of higher learning
    • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75
    • Complete eight (8) hours of Community Service with DHA (must be approved)
    • Complete eight (8) hours of Community Service with an agency of applicant’s choice
    • Must complete this application

     

    To apply for this scholarship, students submit the following:

    • Completed scholarship packet
    • Proof of registration
    • An official transcript
    • Proof of Community Service (documented on agency letterhead with
      contact name and number)
    • Address & telephone number of the institution of higher learning
    • Address & telephone number of the department that the scholarship will
      be disbursed
    • Student’s address & telephone number on campus
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Complete the “Let’s Talk About You” section
    • A typed 500-word essay (no longer than 550 words)

     

    Each Essay will be judged on:

    • Quality of content
    • Ability to captivate the reader
    • Originality
    • Correct grammar usage (punctuation and spelling)
    • Overall presentation
Application Download (English) Download (Español) Download (Tiếng Việt)

The Summit Scholarship

The Summit Scholarship Award is for college students who are returning to school after a separation of at least two years, to help off-set some of the cost of the student’s education.

  • Read Requirements

    Summit eligibility requirements are:

    • Student must reside in DHA supported housing
    • Student must attend a two (2) hour “Getting Started Again” workshop
    • Student must apply for financial aid
    • Student must show proof of paid application/registration fee
    • Must complete this application

     

    To apply for this scholarship, students submit the following:

    • Proof of registration (i.e. class schedule, fee receipt or letter from institution)
    • Address & telephone number of the institution of higher learning
    • Student’s address & telephone number on campus
    • Submit a typed 300-word essay on: “Why It is Important for Me to Pursue a Higher Education” (no longer than 500 words)

     

    Each Essay will be judged on:

    • Quality of content
    • Ability to captivate the reader
    • Originality
    • Correct grammar usage (punctuation and spelling)
    • Overall presentation
Application Download (English) Download (Español) Download (Tiếng Việt)

The Aspire Scholarship

The Aspire Scholarship is for students who are enrolled in a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program and need support to successfully complete the test to secure their GED.

  • Read Requirements

    Aspire eligibility requirements are:

    • Student must reside in DHA supported housing
    • Has successfully attended a GED preparation class
    • Is certified by their GED course teacher that they are ready for the test
    • Must complete this application

     

    To apply for this scholarship, students submit the following:

    • Proof of school registration (i.e., class schedule, fee receipts)
    • GED class teacher contact information
Application Download (English) Download (Español) Download (Tiếng Việt)