Essential Visionaries Scholarship Fund

The Essential Visionaries Scholarship Fund has been established to assist students seeking a degree or certificate in Education, Counseling, Psychology or Nursing in college or vocational school programs. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates or current college undergraduates in the United States who plan to enroll for the entire upcoming academic year. Awards may be renewed for up to four additional years or until a bachelor's degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Awards are for undergraduate study only. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information. Eligibility (per Scholarship America): Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates, GED graduates, or current college undergraduates residing in the United States; plan to enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year; be pursuing a degree or certificate with a major in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or Pre-Nursing/Nursing (applicants in education, counseling, social work, or psychology must demonstrate a commitment to working within the K-12 system; nursing applicants are not); and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated. Awards: Students attending vocational-technical or two-year institutions receive up to $5,000; students attending four-year institutions receive up to $10,000. Renewal requires maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and continued enrollment in an eligible field of study. All applicants are notified in June; payments are made in August. Selection considers academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, three essays, and financial need. Required application materials: a current, complete transcript of grades (grade reports are not accepted); three essays (statement of educational and career goals aligned to K-12/healthcare work; personal challenges statement; and statement on how the degree will be used to make an impact); and a copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 (with social security numbers and bank information blacked out) for the Financial Information section.