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

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

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