Hadden Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Youth Foundation

Introduction The Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship, created in 1968, supports highly deserving high school seniors who demonstrate financial need. Awards may fund up to four years of undergraduate study at an accredited, four-year college or university in the United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and plan to enroll full-time at a U.S.-based institution. Eligibility and Selection Criteria Candidates are evaluated by the Youth Foundation on academic performance, personal character, leadership, community service, and financial need. To be eligible to apply, students must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. There is no required minimum standardized test score, although previous recipients have typically submitted competitive test results. Application Deadline Specific application opening and closing dates are posted on the Youth Foundation website and inside the application. Each cycle’s application opens at 12:00 midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the first day of the cycle and closes at 11:59 PM EST on the final day. The deadline is firm; late submissions will not be accepted. All times referenced are EST. Award Amounts Scholarship amounts may change over time; the current maximum award is up to $10,000 per recipient, renewable for up to four regular undergraduate years. When permitted by the student’s college or university, Hadden Scholarship funds can be applied toward an approved semester or academic year abroad. Funding Policies Youth Foundation does not allow award displacement—if an institution reduces a student’s existing financial grant because of a Hadden Scholarship, that reduction is prohibited. The Hadden Scholarship is intended to supplement, not replace, institutional grants or other aid. Finalists must submit their college or university financial aid award letter, provide a list of outside scholarships, and confirm with their school’s financial aid office that accepting a Hadden Scholarship will not result in displacement of other awards. If a school does lower a student’s grant in violation of this policy, the Youth Foundation will either modify the scholarship amount or terminate the award. Disbursement and Permitted Uses Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s college or university and must be used for the student’s benefit. Subject to federal and state regulations and each institution’s policies, Hadden funds may cover tuition, room and board, books, and other fees. Some schools permit outside scholarship money to be applied toward items such as a laptop or health insurance; students are responsible for understanding their institution’s rules. Renewal Requirements Hadden Scholarships may be renewed for up to four undergraduate years. To maintain renewal eligibility, scholars must remain full-time students, sustain an annual cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and submit an academic transcript and current financial aid award letter each year or upon request. Recipients must also keep their contact information current with the Youth Foundation.