
Prospective Students & Families
The Challenge Foundation empowers motivated and engaged students from underserved populations who aspire to attend college. We seek students with high aptitude, strong work ethic and attendance, whose families demonstrate significant financial need and a commitment to education. Our competitive admission process evaluates each applicant and their family holistically.
The application period runs from August to December when the student is in 4th grade. To be eligible, students must show a strong commitment to their education, a desire to attend college, and support from their family. Once selected, scholars receive full tuition scholarships and individualized, wraparound support services from 6th grade through college including but not limited to:
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Academic Support: Tutoring, as needed, and mentoring
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College Readiness: Summer programs and college application guidance
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Emotional/Social Learning: Assigned mentor, referral and access to counseling services, and check-ins with an advisor
We partner closely with schools to ensure our Scholars receive the best possible education and support.
Due to high demand, the application process is competitive, and we are dedicated to a thoughtful review of each candidate.
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Student must be enrolled in 4th grade at time of application
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Student must be doing well in school, performing at or above grade level in all subject areas.
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Family must live within reasonable proximity from our partner schools
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Scholars must be motivated to attend college
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Families must have an annual income at or below our guidelines (changes annually, provided at time of application)
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Nomination: Students are nominated in 4th grade by parents, teachers, or community members
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Testing: Candidates are assessed in reading, math, and/or writing
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Application Submission: Families submit applications detailing social, emotional, and financial needs
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Interviews: We invite applicants to participate in a family interview session. This allows Challenge staff to get to know candidates, and an opportunity for candidates to learn more about Challenge.
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Independent School Applications: Candidates complete the same application process as other applicants, including essays, school visits, and financial aid applications
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Home Visits: We conduct individualized home visits to assess needs and parental support
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Final Review: Challenge Administrators make the final decision
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Who applies for the scholarship? The Challenge Foundation Scholarship is for hardworking and intelligent students in 4th grade from underserved communities. It's designed for students whose families demonstrate financial need and a strong commitment to education. We seek students who are highly motivated to learn and excel in their studies.
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How are parents involved? Parental support is crucial for our Scholars' success. We look for families who are enthusiastic about this opportunity and actively prioritize their child's education. Parents play a key role in their child's academic journey and are involved throughout the program.
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Is transportation provided? Transportation is not provided. Families must be able to provide their own transportation.
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Are students asked to pay any money?
The Challenge Foundation covers tuition and associated costs. -
Are students required to wear uniforms? Many partner schools require uniforms, and The Challenge Foundation covers this expense.
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If a student is not accepted, can they reapply in the future? Due to the program's structure, students can only apply during 4th grade.
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Who should I contact if I have more questions? For further information, please feel free to contact The Challenge Foundation Staff by email at phoenix@thechallengefoundation.org.
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