Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Equitable

Program Overview

Description: The Equitable Excellence Scholarship Program supports high school seniors who plan to begin full-time undergraduate study at a two- or four-year accredited college or university in the United States by Fall 2026.

The program is administered by Equitable Foundation to promote post-secondary attainment and community impact. It targets students who demonstrate ambition and a commitment to encouraging others to pursue higher education. The scholarship is intended for undergraduate study only and includes renewable awards for multi-year support. Scholarship America manages selection and payment processes on behalf of the Foundation.

• Targets rising college students who will enroll by Fall 2026.
• Focuses on community-minded applicants with demonstrated ambition.
• Administered in partnership with Scholarship America.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school seniors residing in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university.

Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate ambition and self-drive to support post-secondary attainment in their communities. Applicants must be willing to provide a release for publicity, including photographs and information about their plans or achievements. Employees, associates, financial professionals, immediate family members of employees or associates of Equitable, Equitable Advisors, Equitable-affiliated companies, Scholarship America, and related agencies are ineligible. Not all qualified applicants will receive an award.

• Must be a current high school senior residing in the U.S., DC, or Puerto Rico.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrated community-minded ambition required.
• Certain employees, associates, and immediate family members are excluded.

Awards

Award Value: The program will award up to 100 renewable scholarships of $5,000 each, with an authorized distribution for new awards up to $500,000.

Each $5,000 award is renewable for up to three additional years or until the recipient earns a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first, contingent on satisfactory academic performance and continued enrollment. In addition, a $500 gift card will be provided to a teacher chosen by each recipient for professional development or classroom supplies. Recipients are required to attend at least one professional development workshop per year (four total) during the scholarship timeline. Awards apply to undergraduate study only.

• $5,000 per recipient, renewable based on academic progress.
• Up to 100 awards and up to $500,000 authorized for new awards.
• $500 gift card awarded to a teacher selected by each recipient.

Payment of Scholarships

Application Timeline: Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Equitable Foundation; payments are issued in August.

Scholarship America handles disbursement logistics for all recipients under this program. Payments are scheduled to occur in August; recipients should follow any instructions provided by Scholarship America regarding payment receipt. Questions about payment timing or disbursement should be directed to Scholarship America as the program administrator.

• Scholarship America administers payment processing.
• Payments for awards are made in August.
• Recipients should follow administrator guidance for disbursement details.

Selection of Recipients

Selection Criteria: Recipients are selected by Scholarship America based on demonstrated financial need, leadership and participation, work experience, unusual personal or family circumstances, and a personal statement.

Applicants are evaluated for financial need and evidence of leadership, community involvement, and work experience. The required personal statement asks how the applicant, as a college graduate, will "pay it forward" to inspire others in their community to pursue a college degree. Scholarship America makes all final selections independently; Equitable Foundation staff do not participate in recipient selection. Applicants agree to accept the selection decisions as final.

• Selection emphasizes financial need and community leadership.
• Personal statement should address plans to inspire others post-graduation.
• Scholarship America has sole authority for recipient selection.