Equitable Excellence Scholarship
Offered by Equitable Foundation (administered by Scholarship America)
About This Scholarship
The Equitable Excellence Scholarship is funded by the Equitable Foundation and awards up to 100 high school seniors $5,000 each, renewable for up to three more years (up to $20,000 total) or until the student earns a bachelor's degree. Each recipient also gets a $500 gift card to give to an educator of their choice.
The program is open only to seniors at public high schools in the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico who plan to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college in fall 2027. The minimum GPA is 2.5. Selection weighs financial need, academics, leadership and community involvement, work experience, and unusual personal or family circumstances, along with a personal statement about how you plan to pay it forward and help others in your community work toward a college degree.
Scholarship America runs the review and selects recipients, and no Equitable Foundation employee takes part in selection. Applicants hear back by email in early spring, and payments go out in August. Recipients commit to a virtual meet-and-greet and at least two professional development workshops each college year.
Eligibility
- Current high school senior at a public high school in the 50 states, D.C., or Puerto Rico (private and home-schooled students are not eligible)
- Planning to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college for the full 2027-28 academic year
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Employees and immediate family of Equitable, Scholarship America, and related organizations are not eligible
How To Apply
- Complete the online application through Scholarship America's Equitable Excellence page.
- Upload a complete transcript showing your name, school, grades, and credit hours (grade reports are not accepted).
- Upload the first two pages of your family's most recent IRS Form 1040, with Social Security and bank account numbers blacked out.
- Write the personal statement on how you plan to pay it forward and inspire others in your community to pursue a college degree.
- Submit by December 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM Central. Note the afternoon cutoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Equitable Excellence Scholarship worth?
Each award is $5,000, renewable for up to three more years or until you earn a bachelor's degree, for up to $20,000 total. Up to 100 students are selected, and each also receives a $500 gift card to give to an educator of their choice.
Can private school or homeschooled students apply?
No. The program is limited to seniors at public high schools in the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
What does the application require?
A transcript, the first two pages of your family's most recent Form 1040, and a personal statement on how you plan to pay it forward. Selection weighs financial need, academics, leadership, work experience, and personal circumstances.