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ROPE Award (Reaching for One's Potential for Excellence)

Robert & Janice McNair Educational

Funding Amount

Up to $8,000

Deadline

April 30, 2027

217 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

ROPE Award (Reaching for One's Potential for Excellence)

Overview: The ROPE Award is the longest-standing and most well-known scholarship provided by the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. It is awarded annually to high school seniors who have taken challenging classes, made good grades, served the community, demonstrated upstanding character at school and in the community, and overcome obstacles to reach for their potential.

Geographic Scope: Rutherford County Schools, North Carolina (Chase High School, East Rutherford High School, and R-S Central High School)

Award Amount: Up to $8,000 for up to four years of postsecondary education ($2,000 per year)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Maintain a 3.0 weighted grade point average (GPA)

  • Meet the University of North Carolina system's admissions requirements

  • Score at least 1080 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT (or take a combination of the tests 2 times)

  • Provide a minimum of 70 service learning hours to the community

  • Students can begin working towards eligibility requirements the summer prior to their freshman year in high school
  • Selection Process: ROPE Award recipients are selected by the ROPE Award Teacher Advisory Council consisting of teachers from the high school and feeder middle and elementary schools. Students compete only with themselves, not with each other.

    Recent Recipients: In 2024, 127 seniors received the award ($1,046,000 total); in 2023, 154 seniors received the award ($1,310,000 total); in 2021, 134 seniors received the award ($1,150,000 total)

    Contact:

  • East Rutherford High School: (828) 245-4339

  • Chase High School: (828) 247-8957

  • RS Central High School: (828) 288-0272
  • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Eligibility and Selection:
    1. Students must maintain a 3.0 weighted GPA throughout high school
    2. Meet University of North Carolina system's admissions requirements
    3. Achieve at least 1080 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT (or combination of tests taken twice)
    4. Complete a minimum of 70 service learning hours to the community
    5. Begin working toward requirements the summer prior to freshman year

    Selection:

  • Applicants are selected by the ROPE Award Teacher Advisory Council (teachers from high schools and feeder middle and elementary schools)

  • Selection based on challenging coursework, grades, community service, character, and ability to overcome obstacles

  • Non-competitive format—students only compete with themselves
  • Award Recognition:

  • Honorees are recognized at a celebration ceremony

  • Recipients receive certificates and financial aid eligibility notification

  • Funds awarded over four years of postsecondary education
  • What Robert & Janice McNair Educational actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    1
    Total given
    $71K
    Median grant
    $71K
    • By dollars: North Carolina 100%. Top recipient cities: Forest City, NC.

    Example grants

    • Rutherford Co School District · Forest City, NC

      Jumpstart program

      $71K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    educationcollege-prepk-12-schools

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