Believe in Me Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Believe in Me

Description Believe in Me is a nonprofit founded in 2006 that provides shelter, education, health care, and emotional and spiritual support to children. The organization’s vision is to help each child build self-confidence and the life skills needed to succeed. Donor support funds programs that create safe homes, loving family-like environments, community connection, and opportunities for learning, self-esteem building, and recreation. The scholarship described below is one of several initiatives designed to move marginalized young people toward long-term stability and achievement. Key takeaways - Founded in 2006 with a child-centered mission. - Provides wraparound support: housing, health, education, emotional and spiritual care. - Operates donor-funded programs that emphasize community and self-confidence. - The scholarship is part of a broader portfolio of youth-support services. Believe in Me Academic Scholarship Program — Description The Believe in Me Academic Scholarship Program is designed to remove financial barriers and expand access to post-secondary education for marginalized, first-generation students. Its core purpose is to invest in students’ futures by funding education that leads to greater stability and opportunity. The program focuses on students who demonstrate resilience, leadership, and the potential to benefit from sustained financial and community support. Awards aim to both enable enrollment and encourage persistence through degree or credential completion. Key takeaways - Targets first-generation, post-secondary students from marginalized backgrounds. - Emphasizes long-term investment in students’ educational and personal development. - Supports students who demonstrate leadership, grit, and perseverance. - Seeks to improve enrollment, retention, and credential completion. Award Value — Covered Expenses The scholarship pays education-related costs for up to four years to reduce the financial burden on recipients. Covered expenses include tuition and mandatory fees, required textbooks, and on-campus housing. The intent is to address the most common and recurring costs that can prevent students from enrolling or persisting in their programs. Funds are allocated to directly offset these specified expenses rather than discretionary living costs. Key takeaways - Provides funding for up to four years of study. - Covers tuition and mandatory fees, required textbooks, and on-campus housing. - Focuses on direct education expenses that impact enrollment and retention. - Does not fund unrelated personal or discretionary expenses. Eligibility Eligible applicants are first-generation students seeking post-secondary education who live in Washington State, northern Idaho, or Oregon and plan to attend a qualifying institution. Applicants must be age 24 or younger at application and have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or hold a GED. The program specifically prioritizes students from a wide range of marginalized groups (racial and ethnic minorities, immigrant families, low-income households, foster care backgrounds, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, pregnant or single parents, survivors of trauma or trafficking, etc.). Applicants must also be able to provide two community references and show involvement in extracurricular, work, religious, or volunteer activities. Key takeaways - First-generation post-secondary students in WA, N. Idaho, or OR are eligible. - Must be 24 or younger with a 2.75 high school GPA or GED. - Priority given to applicants from specified marginalized groups and challenging socioeconomic situations. - Two community references and evidence of engagement are required. Application Process and Timeline Applications follow an annual cycle with clear stages: preparation, submission, review, and notification. Applicants should assemble academic records, two community references, and documentation or narrative describing their background and challenges; specific submission methods and deadlines are published each cycle by the program. After the submission window closes, applications are reviewed against eligibility and holistic criteria (leadership, perseverance, need), and finalists may be contacted for follow-up. Award decisions are announced according to the program’s calendar so recipients can use funds for the upcoming academic term. Key takeaways - Process includes preparation, submission, review, and award notification. - Applicants need academic records, two community references, and personal/background documentation. - Review evaluates eligibility plus leadership, resilience, and financial need. - Exact deadlines and submission instructions are distributed by the program each cycle. History of the Award The Believe in Me scholarship grew out of the organization’s broader mission to create stable, supportive pathways for marginalized youth. Since the organization’s founding in 2006, donors and program staff have prioritized education as a critical lever for long-term change, leading to the development of this focused scholarship program. The award is intended to translate the organization’s shelter and care work into sustained educational opportunity, connecting recipients with both financial support and community-based resources. Its design reflects decades of experience serving young people facing systemic barriers. Key takeaways - Scholarship emerged from Believe in Me’s mission to support marginalized youth. - Rooted in the organization’s donor-funded programs and service experience since 2006. - Connects the organization’s care services to long-term educational outcomes. - Designed to address systemic barriers through sustained financial and community support.