Become A Scholar

2022 Application Deadline: April 15, 2022

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Please review the requirements below to ensure that you qualify.

The applicant:

Must be a graduating high school senior with plans to pursue higher education (including an accredited four-year college or university, community college, technical or
vocational school)
Must be personally affected by having an incarcerated parent(s) or an immediate family member(s) in prison who has served as the applicant’s primary caregiver
Must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0
Must live in one of the following jurisdictions in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Washington, DC
MARYLAND – Prince George’s County, Montgomery County
VIRGINIA – Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, or the City of Falls Church
Must intend to be enrolled at least half-time in college
May be living on his or her own and/or have children of his or her own

NOTE: We welcome you to apply whether your parent or other immediate family primary caregiver is currently incarcerated or was formerly incarcerated. We recognize that each person’s time served will vary. You will have the opportunity to explain how their incarceration has had an impact on you in the essay portion of the application.

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Become A Scholar

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Scholarship Application Requirements

Completed ScholarCHIPS Application and Personal Background (typed or legibly printed)
Completed answers to all ScholarCHIPS Application Questions
Current resume or brag sheet
An official high school transcript (including senior year report card)
Completed ScholarCHIPS References Form with name, relationship and contact information for writers of recommendation letters
Three (3) recommendation letters from the following:
– One (1) high school official (teacher, counselor or principal) who is familiar with the applicant’s academic history and ability to matriculate through college
– One (1) community member who is familiar with the applicant’s good citizenship and community involvement
– One (1) personal reference of the applicant’s choice who should be able to discuss the applicant’s leadership abilities, strengths and accomplishments
Handwritten or electronically signed ScholarCHIPS Consent Form
Proof of financial need (i.e., copy of FAFSA/SAR report)
College or university acceptance letters for the 2021-2022 academic year (please provide acceptance letters with your application or as soon as possible thereafter; applicants for whom acceptance letters do not reach the Application Review Committee in time for the review process may be deemed ineligible)
Proof of parent’s or immediate family member’s incarceration (includes incarcerated relative’s name, prison name, inmate identification/register number and a copy of the Inmate Locator website page, if available, for each inmate)
A final high school transcript and proof of college enrollment (at least half-time) will be requested by the Application Review Committee before award funds are disbursed