NAHRO Merit and NAHRO-LDG College Scholarship Rules

NAHRO Merit College Scholarship

The NAHRO Merit College Scholarship Program awards a one-time payment of $1,000 each to eight scholars, one from each NAHRO region, who are pursuing their first post-secondary degree (scholars applying for a master’s degree or a Ph.D are not eligible). Each NAHRO region submits an applicant of their choice from their own scholarship program. If no regional scholarship program is in place, the region will select one eligible applicant to complete the NAHRO Merit College Scholarship application.

Three NAHRO Merit Scholarship program winners will be selected by the NAHRO Scholarship Committee to become a part of the NAHRO-LDG Scholars program.

NAHRO-LDG Scholars Program

The NAHRO-LDG Scholars Program is a 10-year venture that will provide $1 million in scholarships and internship opportunities to low-income students from around the country and is funded by the award-winning multi-family housing developer, LDG Development.

In addition to the one-time scholarship provided through the NAHRO Merit College Scholarship, NAHRO-LDG Scholars will receive:

• A $12,000 scholarship distributed over four years to assist with tuition and university affiliated housing expenses
• An opportunity to earn up to $9,000 in stipends for summer internships and other approved activities that support the student’s academic matriculation
• Networking opportunities with business and community leaders

All scholarship funds are sent directly to the accredited institution of higher education or university housing official once proof of registration is received.

Who Is Eligible?

• Eligible individuals are provided a service or live in a household managed by an eligible national NAHRO member agency that is in good standing.
• Eligible scholars must be a graduating high school senior or possess a high school diploma or GED and must be applying to or attending an accredited institution of higher education pursuing their first post-secondary degree. (Scholars applying for a master’s or a PHD are not eligible). If currently attending college, applicants must be registered as a full-time student.

How to Apply & Deadlines

National honorees are selected from region-level winning entries. NAHRO does not accept national submissions from individuals, member agencies or state chapters.

For specific information on this year’s scholarships contest, including deadlines, please contact your local/state NAHRO Chapter or NAHRO Regional Council.

If you are the scholarship applicant: Complete the scholarship application then return it to the designated staff member at your housing authority before their deadline.

If you are the national NAHRO member agency: complete the member agency section on the application cover page for each scholar’s application and submit them to your state or regional representative before the state or region’s deadline. Your agency must be a NAHRO member in good standing in order for your scholars’ applications to be considered.

Note: Some NAHRO regions only accept applications from their state chapters, while others accept applications directly from the member agencies.

If you are the NAHRO state representative: select states conduct their own judging, and submit one scholarship candidate to their region.

Each region will conduct its own judging, and submit one scholarship candidate to national NAHRO.

If you are the NAHRO regional representative: Complete the region section on the chosen application cover page, and send the winning scholarship application for your region to NAHRO by the national deadline.

Application

Applications must completed in full and include the following information.

1. Cover sheet: To be completed in stages by the member agency. The state chapter (if applicable) and region must complete their designated section to advance the application.
2. Information form: All sections of the application must be completed. If a section is not applicable, write N/A (not applicable) in the section; do not leave any sections blank. Any application that has blank sections, or that is missing appropriate submittals or signatures will be disqualified.
3. One letter of character recommendation: Please attach one letter of recommendation from a non-relative. Eligible recommendation-writers include a representative from the local housing authority or community organization, an employer, or a school professional such as a teacher or a guidance counselor. No recommendations from family members will be considered. Please include the name and relationship of the recommender, and length of time you have known them.
4. An unofficial transcript from high school and/or the academic institution the applicant is currently attending. A digital copy or scanned in hard copy are both acceptable.
5. Verification of acceptance/attendance at an accredited institution of higher education.
6. An essay (750-1,000 words) written by the applicant. Essay prompt: Please tell us about yourself and how this scholarship could help you in achieving your goals over the next four years, as well as what you are doing now to achieve your goals.
7. A clear, high-resolution headshot photo of the applicant.