Network Scholarship Fund

Purpose: Provides critical financial assistance to Hope Ignites collegians to help them complete higher education with minimal debt.

Geographic Scope: Serves Hope Ignites collegians enrolled in colleges and universities across the US, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Award Details:

• Stipend: $1,500 per semester per eligible collegian
• Annual Disbursements: Approximately $500,000 distributed network-wide
• Collegians Served: Approximately 400 collegians per year

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an eligible Hope Ignites collegian
• Enrolled full-time in a college or university
• Maintaining an above-average GPA
• Must have a completed College Transition Plan (for high school seniors) or College Persistence Plan (for upperclass collegians)
• Must maintain ongoing connection check-ins with local affiliate college success team members

Focus Areas:

• Reducing financial strain and student debt burden
• Improving college persistence and degree completion rates
• Supporting first-generation college students
• Addressing barriers to college affordability

Funding Source: 100% raised annually through private funding, augmented by partnerships with institutions of higher education. Many affiliates provide a minimum 2/3 match.

Background: Financial strain and debt in college has been linked to stress, lower mental and physical health, lower grades, and drug and alcohol abuse. The Network Scholarship Fund is designed to help collegians finish college with minimal debt.

Contact Information:

• Hope Ignites Network Headquarters
• 5257 Shaw Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
• Phone: 314.298.1250
• Email: networkhq@hopeignites.org
• EIN: 51-0182614

Application Process

Eligibility Verification:

1. Scholars must be enrolled full-time in a college or university
2. Must maintain an above-average GPA
3. Must have completed a College Transition Plan (high school seniors) or College Persistence Plan (upperclass collegians)
4. Must maintain ongoing connection check-ins with local affiliate college success team members

How It Works:

• College is presented as a destination from the time scholars enter the program in middle school
• Through online curriculum and local support, scholars receive:
  • Individual goal-setting
  • Standardized test prep
  • College selection assistance
  • Application assistance
  • Campus visits
  • Student aid application support
• Graduating high school seniors receive College Transition Plans, including financial planning and forecasting
• Upperclass collegians complete College Persistence Plans annually

Support Available:

• Individual goal-setting and planning
• Ongoing college success support from local affiliate team members
• Coordination with university financial aid
• Leverage of scholarships, grants, and other student financial aid through university partnerships

Note: Specific application submission details are not provided in the available documentation. Contact the local affiliate or network headquarters for application procedures.