Helping You Get To and Through Higher Education

Scholarship Program

Our program is the only national scholarship program specifically providing youth that have experienced homelessness with comprehensive support to and through higher education and into the workforce.

The Application is Now Closed!

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

  • January 1, 2025: Application Opens
  • June 2, 2025: Application Closes
  • First Week of August, 2025: Applicants Notified

As a SchoolHouse Connection Scholar, You Receive:

$2,500 Scholarship Award and Monthly Stipends of Up to $100 Throughout College

One-on-One Support from SchoolHouse Connection Staff

3 All Expenses Paid Trips

Support from SchoolHouse Connection Scholars

Opportunities to Engage in State and Federal Policy Advocacy

Hear from a few of our SchoolHouse Connection Scholars about their experience with the program.

Hear from Jordyn and Roshanda, leaders of the Scholarship Program.

Three All-Expenses-Paid Trips

Awards Ceremony Celebration

Meet SchoolHouse Connection staff and your fellow scholars for a 5-day fun-filled trip to celebrate your award during the spring semester of your first year in the program.

Washington, DC Summit

Join staff and your fellow scholars one year after receiving your award for a 5 day trip of advocacy opportunities and fun activities around the nation’s capital.

Wellness & Workforce Success Retreat

Join staff and your fellow scholars between your third and fourth year of the program for a trip focused on post-graduation wellness and workforce success.

How We Define Homelessness

Homelessness is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Examples & Additional Information

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You currently reside in the United States. (Undocumented applicants are eligible.)
  • You were born on or after June 2, 2005.
  • You will be starting college (four-year, community college, or trade school) for the first time in the 2026-2027 academic year (this does not include dual-enrollment courses).
    • This includes high school juniors, high school seniors planning to take a gap year, or students earning a GED who plan to start college in 2026-2027.
    • Our program begins working with students one year before they begin college to provide more intensive college readiness support.
  • You have experienced homelessness within the last six years.
“I have endless gratitude for SHC’s support and empowerment because they made it possible for me to graduate college. Whether it was advocating for me to financial aid offices, uplifting my voice in advocacy spaces, or simply providing a warm space to converse, they stood by me through everything. Connecting with peers with lived experience validated the challenges I faced growing up and erased any feelings of lack of belonging in higher education. Entering advocacy spaces with SHC taught me the power of my voice and how to extend my impact to my community. I am excited to begin medical school next year and will take the lessons and skills SHC has taught me to be a voice for the underserved and underrepresented in healthcare.”
— Cecelia, 2020 Scholar
The YLS program is far more than just a scholarship. This program gave me access to leaders and mentors who have guided me with endless amounts of resources to navigate my college career. Through this program I have also been able to travel to new places and make friendships with people who share similar backgrounds and interests as me. The leaders at Schoolhouse Connection go above and beyond to truly get to know each and every scholar, and become lifelong companions and advisors.
— Conrad, 2022 Scholar

How to Apply

  • Eligibility, Demographic, and Education Questions
  • Full High School Transcript (Unofficial or Official)
  • Essay (1,000 words maximum that answers all three of the topics below)
    • Describe your experience of homelessness and how it impacted your education
    • Why is going to college important to you and what are you interested in studying?
    • What types of support do you need in order to be successful in college?
  • Letter of Recommendation (at least one and a maximum of three)
    • You can upload letters of recommendation when you submit your application or letters of recommendation can be submitted here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Know someone who will benefit from this scholarship? Let them know!

We rely heavily on education and non-profit professionals to ensure that students who are eligible for our scholarship program know that the application is available. We appreciate your effort in distributing our information to the youth you serve, and we are available to answer any questions you have.

Use this email template Download the Flyer Social Media Toolkit

Please contact Jordyn if you have further questions.

Email Jordyn