Scholarships | Admissions (2023)

/ Admissions Office

We love to reward students for high school achievement, both in the classroom and on the stage.

Academic Awards

Your Common Application or Hope College Application also serves as your application for academic scholarships at Hope. Academic scholarships are based on your cumulative GPA, SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, and course selection (based on what’s available at your school). Be sure to submit any new academic information for consideration by February 1 of your senior year.

Don’t hesitate to send your test scores! You’ll always receive the highest award for which you are eligible, whether it be based on your GPA only or with your test scores.

We will superscore applicant test score submissions, including individual subject tests taken through the ACT, and you may qualify for one of these academic awards:

Scholarship Criteria

(for first-year students entering Fall 2022)

Amount GPA Only GPA with Test Scores
National Merit Scholarship $24,000/year If you’re a National Merit Finalist and name Hope as your first choice, you’ll automatically qualify for this award.
Trustee Scholarship $24,000/year Test Score Required 3.95+ GPA with 34+ ACT, 1490+ SAT, or 103+ CLT
Presidential Scholarship $13,000/year and up 3.95+ GPA 3.8+ GPA with 28+ ACT, 1300+ SAT, or 86+ CLT
Distinguished Scholar Award $11,000/year and up 3.8+ GPA 3.6+ GPA with 26+ ACT, 1230+ SAT, or 81+ CLT
Alumni Honors Scholarship $10,000/year 3.6+ GPA 3.4+ GPA with 24+ ACT, 1160+ SAT, or 76+ CLT
Anchor Award $5,000/year 3.4+ GPA 3.2+ GPA and 22+ ACT, 1100+ SAT, or 72+ CLT

Each of these scholarships is guaranteed through your sophomore year and renewable for your two remaining years if you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (Presidential and higher awards) or cumulative GPA of 2.75 (Distinguished Scholar Award and lower).

Distinguished Artist Awards

Hope honors talented artists in the areas of creative writing, dance, music, theater and the visual arts. You’ll need to audition or submit a portfolio. Most awards are $3,000 per year, renewable for four years. Most Distinguished Artist Awards (DAAs) can be combined with an academic scholarship.

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Request DAA Information

Creative Writing

Apply for the DAA in Creative Writing by submitting:

  • The application form, including:
      • A short essay about your reading and writing
      • A sample of your creative writing (fiction, poetry and/or creative nonfiction) — 10 typed pages
      • A letter of recommendation from someone who knows you as a student and/or as a writer

Applications for the Distinguished Artist Awards in Creative Writing must be received by midnight, January 29, 2023. Scholarship recipients will be notified in early March 2023.

To keep this scholarship, you’ll need to maintain a 2.6 GPA at Hope and declare a creative writing major or minor.

To apply for a Distinguished Artist Award in Creative Writing, you’ll also need to submit a completed application for admission to Hope College.

Scholarship Coordinator

Michelle VanDenend
616.395.7620
vandenend@hope.edu

For more information, please visit the Department of English website.

Dance

To apply for the DAA in Dance, you will need to submit the application form, including:

  • Head shot (hair in bun)
  • A letter of recommendation from a current dance instructor
  • A one-page essay answering the question: “What is it about the dance program at Hope that interests and excites you?”

For more information, please visit the Department of Dance website.

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To apply for a Distinguished Artist Award in Dance, you’ll also need to submit a completed application for admission to Hope College.

Music

Apply for the DAA in music by completing the application form.

Applications and auditions for the Distinguished Artist Awards in Musicare dueFebruary 10, 2023.

To keep this scholarship, you’ll need to be involved with the Department of Music while a student at Hope.

To apply for a Distinguished Artist Award in Music, you’ll also need to submit a completed application for admission to Hope College.

Scholarship Coordinator

Kathy Waterstone
616.395.7650
waterstone@hope.edu

For more information, please visit the Department of Music website.

Theatre

Apply for the DAA in theatre by completing the application form.

The deadline for submitting the application and resume is November 16 for our DAA Day on November 18. The deadline for submissions for an alternate date is one week prior to the scheduled date.

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To keep this scholarship, you’ll need to major or minor in theatre.

To be awarded a Distinguished Artist Award in Theatre, you’ll also need to submit a completed application for admission to Hope College.

Scholarship Coordinator

Prof. Michelle Bombe
616.395.7600
bombe@hope.edu

For more information, please visit the Department of Theatre website.

Visual Arts

You can apply for the DAA in the Visual Arts by submitting:

  • The application form, including your portfolio of digital slides/images

Applications for the Distinguished Artist Award are due February 1, 2023.

To keep this scholarship, you’ll need to maintain a 2.60 GPA and enroll in at least one studio art or art history course per semester.

To apply for a Distinguished Artist Award in the Visual Arts, you’ll also need to submit a completed application for admission to Hope College.

Scholarship Coordinator

(Video) Advice from the Admissions Team

Nicole Wetzel
616.395.7500
art@hope.edu

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Hope CollegeAdmissions Office

Bekkering Admissions Office69 East 10th StreetHolland, MI 49423

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workP. 616.395.7850

faxF. 616.395.7130

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FAQs

How this scholarship will help you answer? ›

1. How will this scholarship help you? You should answer this scholarship essay prompt by explaining how the award money will help you in at least one of the following ways: financially, professionally, and/or academically.

What are the chances of getting a full scholarship? ›

One estimate is 1% to 1.5%. On the other hand, someone has to be awarded the full-ride scholarships so why not you? And you can't get one if you don't apply! It's also smart to have a backup financial plan for college, just in case.

What should you not say in a scholarship essay? ›

Don't use words like “finally”, “in sum” or “in conclusion”. Don't repeat or sum up in any way. Don't start too many sentences with the word “I”. Don't tell the reader explicitly, “I am a unique and interesting person.” Instead, let the reader glean this from your unique and interesting essay.

Why are you worthy of this scholarship? ›

You Deserve This Scholarship Because You Have Passion and Persistence. Letting your passion show through in your answer allows the committee to see your dedication. You deserve this scholarship based on your love of learning, your enjoyment of your field, or your passion for growth.

How the scholarship will help you to achieve your future goals? ›

It helps in empowering your academic and career goals by removing the financial barrier. Getting a scholarship takes away all your financial concerns. Thus, it gives you more time to study, gain knowledge and secure better grades.

How would a scholarship impact your life? ›

A scholarship allows students to focus on academics, increasing their chances of staying in school and graduating on time. Students who receive scholarships have fewer financial concerns, more time to study, and a greater chance of success.

Why do you need scholarship essay? ›

A great scholarship essay can help you showcase your abilities. It can also help the scholarship committee members to understand the real person behind the application. Scholarship essays are a great chance for you to convince the scholarship committee members that you indeed deserve financial aid.

How do you write a 500 word scholarship essay? ›

Here's a format you can follow instead.
  1. Hook introduction. ...
  2. Context for the hook. ...
  3. Examples that showcase your strengths. ...
  4. A conclusion that makes it clear you've responded to the essay prompt. ...
  5. Example 500 Word Essay #2. ...
  6. #2 Start your essay with a strong hook statement. ...
  7. #3 Use descriptive language. ...
  8. #4 Stick to the word count.
16 Feb 2022

How honest should you be in a scholarship essay? ›

Writing a winning scholarship essay is all about being honest about yourself, your experiences and achievements, and your ambitions, while also making sure you are not plagiarizing in any way. This means that your essay should be original and not “borrowed” from anyone or anywhere on the internet.

How do I make my essay stand out? ›

Seven Ways to Make your College Essay Stand Out
  1. Try starting with a question.
  2. Begin with a bold statement.
  3. Use an interesting quote.
  4. Put the reader in medias res, that is, in the middle of things. ...
  5. Challenge the reader by speaking directly to him/her.
  6. Tell the reader what you do NOT want to do in your writing.

What do they look for in scholarship essays? ›

A typical scholarship essay topic will likely ask students about their career goals and their plan to achieve those goals, Matthews says. Other essay prompts might ask students what they've done to make their community a better place or to describe a personal achievement and how they overcame challenges to reach it.

What is the hardest scholarship to get? ›

Here is a list of the top 10 hardest scholarships to receive.
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarship. ...
  • Princeton Scholarship. ...
  • Mitchell Scholarship. ...
  • Churchill Scholarship. ...
  • Marshall Scholarship. ...
  • Jardine Scholarship. ...
  • Eugene McDermott scholarship Program. ...
  • Henry Luce Scholarship.
23 Sept 2020

Who is most likely to get a scholarship? ›

Learners with a 3.5 or higher GPA (17%) are the most likely to receive private scholarships, followed by those with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.4 (13.1%), 2.5 to 2.9 (10.4%), 2.0 to 2.4 (8.3%), and less than 2.0 (7%) (Kantrowitz, 2019).

Why do you think you deserve this award? ›

One of the reasons why I deserve this award is because of the passion, sacrifice and discipline shown throughout my lifespan as a student. My classmates always referred to me as the smart guy who demonstrated lots of respect towards school, did the assignment on time and would show affection for every class.

How do I write a motivational letter for a scholarship? ›

Describe these points in a compelling way, persuading the reader to read on and learn more about you, your background and ambitions. Then write a conclusion. If your motivation letter is for a scholarship, then here, emphasise why you're interested and indicate why you've chosen this specific course or programme.

Why is it important to consider scholarships and grants before paying higher education? ›

Scholarships and grants are free money that do not need to be paid back. Why is it important to consider scholarships and grants before loans to pay for higher education? Information about their income and taxes. If you are a dependent of a parent or caregiver, what will you need from them to complete the FAFSA?

How do you introduce yourself in a scholarship essay? ›

When introducing yourself in a scholarship essay, start by introducing yourself and your educational status. Then, discuss how the scholarship will help your educational pursuits and how your education can help your career.

How do you write a scholarship essay? ›

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay
  1. Read and re-read the essay statement you are being asked to respond to, and identify the key themes. ...
  2. Understand the meaning of the key themes. ...
  3. Fill your scholarship essay with keywords/synonyms of keywords used in the scholarship statement. ...
  4. Make an engaging start to your essay.

Do I put my name on a scholarship essay? ›

Include your name, scholarship title and essay title on top of page. Sign your essay at the bottom.

How do you introduce yourself in a scholarship interview? ›

Introduce yourself

They have seen only your scholarship application. When introducing yourself in this interview, you should focus mostly on two things: Your dream to study at the particular college. Your financial situation which does not allow you to follow your dream.

Does a scholarship essay need a title? ›

If you're attaching an essay as a Word or PDF document, you can optionally include a title, but this is usually unnecessary unless there are special scholarship essay format instructions to do so.

How do you win scholarships? ›

Top Tips for Winning Scholarships for College
  1. Create an accomplishments resume. ...
  2. Don't miss deadlines. ...
  3. Complete the scholarship matching profile thoroughly. ...
  4. Apply to as many scholarships as possible. ...
  5. Look for scholarship listing books. ...
  6. Find local scholarships on bulletin boards. ...
  7. Tap into family connections.

Can I start a scholarship essay with a quote? ›

Your introduction should sound natural. Avoid starting your essay with quotes; those are somebody else's words, not your own. Instead, use your own words and let your personality shine in the essay. Avoid obvious statements such as “I am interested in this scholarship.”

Can I reuse scholarship essays? ›

Can You Reuse Scholarship Essays? Yes, students can technically reuse scholarship essays when they're applying for multiple awards. In the vast majority of cases, there aren't any rules barring the practice.

What should you not talk about in a college essay? ›

College Essay Topics to Avoid
  • Controversial Topics. Controversial topics, such as current political hot buttons, should be avoided at all costs. ...
  • Highly Personal Topics. ...
  • Personal Achievements and Accomplishments. ...
  • Most Important Place or a Role Model. ...
  • Creative Writing. ...
  • Athletic Topics. ...
  • Humorous Topics or Jokes. ...
  • Tragic Events.
3 Sept 2020

What colleges like to see in essays? ›

As part of the college application process, colleges ask prospective students for a personal essay in order to learn more about them. They want to see context on each student's background, positive traits that the student could bring to campus, and examples of the student demonstrating those qualities.

What are the most common college essay topics? ›

Tackling the Common App Essay Prompts
  • Prompt #1: Share your story.
  • Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
  • Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
  • Prompt #4: Solving a problem.
  • Prompt #5: Personal growth.
  • Prompt #6: What captivates you?
  • Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
  • Describe a person you admire.

How long should a scholarship essay be? ›

In general, scholarship essays are meant to be about 500 words or one page in length. Many scholarship essays will provide some kind of minimum requirement for the word or page count of your essay. But if you can't find one then you are generally fine to stick to 500 words or one page.

How many paragraphs should a scholarship essay be? ›

Standard Scholarship Essay Format

Generally, this means creating a piece consisting of three or more paragraphs, with each paragraph being at least three sentences long.

Why do you think you deserve this scholarship essay sample? ›

I believe I deserve to be selected for one of your program's scholarships because I am a hard-working student and I will commit myself to effectively take advantage of the opportunity that the scholarships will provide me. Besides this, I constantly try to improve my community by doing volunteer work.

Why do you think you deserve this award? ›

One of the reasons why I deserve this award is because of the passion, sacrifice and discipline shown throughout my lifespan as a student. My classmates always referred to me as the smart guy who demonstrated lots of respect towards school, did the assignment on time and would show affection for every class.

How do you write a 500 word scholarship essay? ›

Here's a format you can follow instead.
  1. Hook introduction. ...
  2. Context for the hook. ...
  3. Examples that showcase your strengths. ...
  4. A conclusion that makes it clear you've responded to the essay prompt. ...
  5. Example 500 Word Essay #2. ...
  6. #2 Start your essay with a strong hook statement. ...
  7. #3 Use descriptive language. ...
  8. #4 Stick to the word count.
16 Feb 2022

How do I write a motivational letter for a scholarship? ›

Describe these points in a compelling way, persuading the reader to read on and learn more about you, your background and ambitions. Then write a conclusion. If your motivation letter is for a scholarship, then here, emphasise why you're interested and indicate why you've chosen this specific course or programme.

How do you start a scholarship essay? ›

Your introduction should include the following three things:
  1. Attention-grabbing first sentence.
  2. A short explanation for what you will talk about in your essay.
  3. The thesis statement in which you address the essay prompt.
27 Nov 2018

How do you write a scholarship essay? ›

WRITING YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION ESSAY
  1. Plan ahead. Don't procrastinate! ...
  2. Talk about your accomplishments. Be clear and to the point. ...
  3. State your need. What is your financial situation? ...
  4. Keep it simple. Don't use unnecessary words (i.e., don't use three words when one will do) ...
  5. Make it easy on your reader.

How do I write a scholarship application? ›

8 tips to ace your scholarship application
  1. Don't miss the closing dates! ...
  2. Think outside the box. ...
  3. Don't limit yourself to one scholarship. ...
  4. Know what the panel is looking for. ...
  5. Do your research on the donor. ...
  6. Spend some time refining your written statement. ...
  7. Make it personal, but keep it relevant. ...
  8. Consider your competition.

What is your strength and weakness? ›

In most job interviews, candidates will be asked to describe their strengths and weaknesses.
...
What employers are looking for:
StrengthsWeaknesses
Analytical skillsHard skills (defined by the job description)
Communication skillsSoft skills (such as public speaking)
Leadership skills
Ability to work in a team

How do you sell yourself in a scholarship essay? ›

5 Tips to Writing a Convincing Scholarship Essay
  1. Introduce Yourself. Be sure to mention your name and for which scholarship you are writing your essay. ...
  2. Provide a Brief Background. Let me highlight the word “brief” one more time. ...
  3. Highlight Accomplishments. ...
  4. Express Need. ...
  5. Conclude Your Story.
16 Dec 2013

Do I put my name on a scholarship essay? ›

Include your name, scholarship title and essay title on top of page. Sign your essay at the bottom.

Does a scholarship essay need a title? ›

If you're attaching an essay as a Word or PDF document, you can optionally include a title, but this is usually unnecessary unless there are special scholarship essay format instructions to do so.

Can you please describe your motivation for applying for a scholarship? ›

Motivation letter for scholarship should include your academic achievements. It should explain: Why are you the ideal candidate? How do your skills and abilities contribute to the university or country? You should show the desire that you want to learn and contribute new knowledge.

How do you start a motivational statement? ›

Introduce yourself and your intent in the introduction, describe and highlight your experiences in the body, and thank the reader for his/her consideration in the conclusion. Do your research, show genuine interest, and never, ever lie. If you want your motivational letter to stand out, Novorésumé takes the cake!

How do you write a good motivation? ›

  1. Find out more. ...
  2. Your letter of motivation must be personal. ...
  3. Adopt a direct and concise style. ...
  4. Focus on your strong points. ...
  5. Take your CV into account. ...
  6. Find the right balance. ...
  7. Clearly explain your motivation. ...
  8. Talk about your professional objectives.

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