Attention all graduating seniors! If you are planning on applying for our Build A Better Future Scholarship, this is for you! The final deadline is exactly one month from today! Final applications are due by 11:59 pm MST on Monday, April 13, 2026. Once a week until then, I will be sharing some tips and reminders for you to consider as you get ready to submit your final application.
As you put your project into motion, don’t forget to document your process through pictures and videos! Take pictures of you in action, working on your project. If you have volunteers helping you, snap some pictures of them as they work. If you host any kind of meeting, presentation, workshop, or class, have someone take a short video of you as you do your thing. If your project includes collecting donations of items, don’t forget to take some pictures of the donations that come in. Then, remember to take a picture of you at the place where the donations are being taken. If you think you’ll want a picture of something, take the picture!
One of the requirements for the final application is that you include a minimum of 5-10 pictures of your project in action. We also have a requirement for a short 3-5 minute video to be included with your application. You can certainly put some of your pictures in your video, but we also require that pictures be submitted separately as well. You can find the requirements for the video in our Scholarship Checklist, which can be found at the bottom of this page.
Beyond meeting the requirements for the final submission, having picture and video documentation of your project will provide you with lifelong mementos of the time you spent serving your community, and that is a priceless reminder of time well spent.
We are just a few days away from the Strategy Plan deadline! Remember, this form is NOT required, but is simply a way for you to get feedback on your project prior to the final submission in April. The Strategy Plan is due by Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm MST. You can click here to access the Strategy Plan.
As a reminder, the deadline for final application submissions is Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm MST. All requirements, FAQs, and other information about the scholarship can be found on our website.
We are looking forward to reading about all of the amazing projects you’ve been working on!
My niece is a junior in high school, and is already starting to look into scholarship opportunities, college applications, and so on. A few days ago, she asked me if I could help her with scholarship cover letters. I jumped at the chance to help her. She wasn’t sure where to even start, so we set out to create a basic outline that she could use as she moves forward with applications.
It got me thinking, though: how many other college-bound high school students are in her same boat? How many of these bright young people want to apply for scholarships, but don’t know where to start or how to format such a letter? I’m sure there are enough in this position that it would be helpful if English teachers could include in their curriculum a short unit teaching students how to properly write a scholarship cover letter. It wouldn’t need to take up too many class periods, but it would be very helpful to those needing the assistance.
While I can’t be in every English classroom teaching this, I can write about it on the Internet for all to have access to! Each scholarship application will be different, and not all will require a cover letter. Additionally, not all that do require a cover letter will require the same content. Be sure to carefully read over the requirements for each scholarship as you begin the application process.
That being said, a general outline could look something like this:
Your name, address, and contact information
Name, address, and contact information for the scholarship committee
Date
Dear Scholarship Board (or name of a specific person if it is listed),
Gratitude for the opportunity to apply
I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the ___________________ scholarship. I am interested in this scholarship because __________________________.
What qualifies you for this scholarship? What sets you apart from other applicants?
This will vary depending on the kind of scholarship you are applying for.
Academic scholarships: highlight your academic achievements, grades, awards, GPA, and so on.
Athletic scholarships: showcase your athletic abilities, awards, records set, and so on.
Specific niche scholarships: identify what specifically you offer in regards to the kind of scholarship you are applying for.
Why would this scholarship benefit you?
Will this ease the financial burden that paying for college can be?
Will this allow you to focus more on your studies rather than worrying about how to pay for school?
Will these funds allow you to pursue a degree in a meaningful and impactful field?
Closing
Re-express your gratitude for the chance to apply.
Express that you are looking forward to hearing from the committee soon.
Best Regards,
Your Name
A scholarship cover letter doesn’t need to be super fancy, and it doesn’t need to go into every single detail telling about how you qualify for the scholarship, but it should be well written, well thought out, and clear and concise. You want to make a good impression with your cover letter, as that is usually the first thing the committee will see when reviewing your application. Take your time, think it out, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
It might feel like Spring is a long way off, but it will be here before we know it! I always look forward to Spring– the warmer temperatures, blossoms on trees, and flowers in bloom. Spring also brings us closer to our Build A Better Future Scholarship application deadline!
This is a reminder to all graduating seniors who are planning to apply for our scholarship. We offer the chance to get feedback on your project prior to the final application submission. Applicants can fill out an OPTIONAL Strategy Plan where they can tell a bit about their project and process and ask any questions they might have.
This is not required, and does not at all influence our decision when it comes time to choose the scholarship winners. It is simply an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and get feedback should they need it.
You can find the form here, and the deadline for this form is due March 9, 2026.
Applying for scholarships can feel daunting, especially when there is a project that is required. From deciding what project to do, planning and executing the project, then documenting everything and filling out the application, it can be a lot! I reached out to some of our previous scholarship recipients to get their input— after all, who better to ask then people who have been through the process themselves?!
Here’s what they had to say!
What are some things you learned about organization and planning during the process of completing your project?
I learned that successful organization starts with listening. Understanding the unique needs of immigrant ESOL students helped me prioritize goals and structure activities that truly mattered. Planning required flexibility, some events needed to be adjusted based on language barriers or transportation challenges. I also realized the power of breaking the project into phases and involving others made everything more manageable and impactful.
I learned how important it is to think about all the steps of the process before starting, so issues are minimized. Many projects don’t get completed because of issues that happen along the way so I made sure to think about problems that might occur and find ways to mitigate them before they happened. Have a clear general plan before starting your project and you should be set.
I also learned that planning can be improved upon along the process. I did my project for 2 years and I was able to see the more difficult parts from the first year and change my process to be improved.
Also as a general note: keep track of the whole process. My memory is bad so I made sure to take notes and pictures and that really helped me so I could continue the project each year. Also it helps to have those stats and photos when applying for this scholarship to really demonstrate your impact.
If you could go back and do anything differently with your project, what would you do?
I would stop over-planning. I wanted every detail to be perfect before taking the first step, which slowed down momentum early on. If I could go back, I’d embrace progress over perfection and start sooner even if the plan wasn’t flawless. I’ve learned that action creates clarity, and sometimes the best ideas come once you’re already in motion. That shift in mindset helped me grow as a leader and made the project more responsive to real needs.
I would find a way to implement new high schoolers to take over for the future. The project was really great for the community and I really wish I was able to pass it onto someone else so it continues each year. I moved for school and I can only help the project when I come home now. I plan to find someone to take it over soon though because my community still really needs it.
Applying for a scholarship can feel intimidating. What advice would you give to someone who is doing a project and planning to apply for the Build A Better Future Scholarship?
Start by connecting your project to your personal values. Applying to this scholarship isn’t just about what you did but it’s about why it mattered to you and how it made a difference. Keep notes and pictures during your project to capture moments of growth, challenge, and impact. When it’s time to apply, those reflections will help you write with authenticity and more confidence.
My biggest advice is to apply!!!! Even if you think your project is small, if it is making an impact, it is not small. You are actively helping the community and it never hurts to apply for a scholarship. I thought I had no chance of getting scholarships but I still applied to this one and it has really helped with my schooling, so please apply. I promise it’s worth it 🙂
Do you have any other words of advice or encouragement to this year’s seniors as they work on projects and work toward applying for our scholarship?
Don’t wait for perfection and start with passion. Your project doesn’t have to change the world overnight. What matters is that it reflects your heart and your effort. Stay consistent, ask for help when needed, and remember that small actions can lead to big change. You’re building something meaningful, even if it doesn’t feel huge at first.
Knowing what you know now, what would you tell yourself during the project and application process?
Trust the process. There will be moments of doubt, but they’re part of the journey. Stay focused on who you’re helping and let that guide your decisions. When it comes to the application, don’t overthink it. Speak from the heart and let your story shine through.
What great advice! It’s appreciate these previous winners sharing their thoughts and experiences with us. I hope these wise words can help you as you plan and carry out your projects in preparation for applying for our scholarship! We can’t wait to see the amazing things this year’s applicants do!
If you are a graduating senior, work with seniors, or know a senior who will be graduating in 2026, this information is for you!
Every year in May, Honors Graduation awards five $10,000 scholarships to deserving graduating seniors. Though May is still six months away, now is the time for students to be working on their projects for the scholarship application. Our scholarship is awarded based on community improvement projects, and these kinds of projects typically take several months or more to plan and carry out. We encourage all kinds of projects and look forward to seeing the amazing things that are happening in our communities.
Below are the links and information you will need to apply for our scholarship. We’d love if you could spread the word and share our scholarship information with any graduating seniors you may know!
This link will take you to our information page, where you can read about our Build A Better Scholarship, including rules, eligibility requirements, and deadline dates.
If you would like to read over some frequently asked questions, you can click here.
Having a hard time coming up with a project idea? Browse through the work of our previous winners here to get a feel for what kinds of projects have been successful.
We welcome any questions you may have about our scholarship program! Please contact us at scholarship@honorsgraduation.com and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as we can.
Attention all graduating seniors! Every year, Honors Graduation awards five seniors each with a $10,000 scholarship. Applicants must design and work on a community improvement project, using our checklist as a guide.
In previous years, we have seen some incredible projects, and we’re certain our 2026 applicants will do amazing things as well! If you need some inspiration or want to read more about our previous winners’ projects, you can find all of that by clicking here.
If you would like to read more about our scholarship, you can find all the details here. You can also find all of the application links, FAQs, and other details on this page.
For your reference, the deadlines are as follows:
Optional Strategy Feedback Form- due by March 9, 2026 Final Submission Form- due by April 13, 2026 Winners will be chosen by May 4, 2026
If you are a senior, you know a senior, or you teach/work with seniors, please spread the word! Share this blog post, and follow us on social media for updates and tips!
