Renaissance Scholars Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Renaissance Foundation
Intro
The Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP), administered by the Renaissance Foundation, awards renewable scholarships to talented first-generation students who demonstrate substantial financial need. Awards may provide up to $5,000 per academic year, for a maximum of $20,000 toward a bachelor’s degree. RSP also partners with campus mentoring organizations and offers scholars additional supports and development opportunities, including both in-person and virtual events.
Eligibility — High School Applicants
- Must be a high school senior (or a recent high school graduate) residing in Oregon or Illinois.
- U.S. citizenship is not required. (See the program FAQ for details.)
- Intend to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. four-year college.
- Must be a first-generation college student: neither parent may hold a bachelor’s degree. RSP recently revised its wording from “first-in-family” (which included siblings) to “first-generation” to clarify that eligibility is determined based on parents’ educational attainment.
- Demonstrate significant financial need. Renaissance defines this as eligibility for a Pell Grant or an equivalent level of need for applicants who do not file the FAFSA. If a Renaissance scholar later receives a full-ride scholarship from a college or other organization, the Renaissance award will be revoked (see FAQ).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and show evidence of academic achievement.
Important note about community college
Renaissance scholarships are not usable while enrolled at a community college. Students who choose or need to attend community college should reapply to the program when they are preparing to transfer to a four-year institution.
Desired qualities
Beyond the baseline requirements, the Renaissance Foundation looks for applicants who show leadership potential, a concern for others, and a strong work ethic. These traits can be displayed through volunteer service, participation in clubs or community groups, paid or unpaid employment, or responsibilities at home. Competitive applicants clearly convey their strengths, experiences, and goals in their written application and essays.