Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Equitable

Overview
Equitable Foundation offers the Equitable Excellence Scholarship to help high school seniors who plan to begin full-time study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States by Fall 2026. The program supports academic progress and community-minded students who intend to encourage others to pursue postsecondary education.

Who may apply
- Current high school seniors living in any of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
- Students who plan to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college or university for the upcoming academic year (by Fall 2026).
- Students with a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Students who demonstrate ambition, self-drive, and a willingness to give back by encouraging other students to pursue postsecondary attainment.
- Applicants must be willing to sign a publicity release allowing the Foundation to publicize their name, plans or achievements, and photographs for program promotion.

Who is NOT eligible
- Employees, associates, financial professionals, and immediate family members of employees, associates, or financial professionals of Equitable, Equitable Advisors, Equitable-affiliated companies, Scholarship America, their affiliates/subsidiaries, or their advertising and promotion agencies.

Awards and donor support
- Total authorized distribution for new awards: up to $500,000.
- Up to 100 renewable scholarships of $5,000 each.
- Each $5,000 award is renewable for up to three additional years, or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first, conditional on satisfactory academic performance and continued full-time enrollment.
- Each recipient’s chosen teacher will receive a $500 gift card to use for professional development or classroom supplies.
- Recipients are required to attend at least one professional development workshop each year of their renewable scholarship timeline (four workshops over four years).

Use of funds
- Scholarships are for undergraduate study only.

Payment
- Scholarship America administers scholarship payments on behalf of Equitable Foundation. Payments are made in August.

How recipients are chosen
Selection is handled by Scholarship America and is final. Equitable Foundation staff do not participate in selection.

Selection factors include:
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Leadership and participation in school and community activities, awards, and honors.
- Work experience.
- Any unusual personal or family circumstances.
- A personal statement that shows ambition, self-drive, and a clear plan to give back by encouraging others to pursue postsecondary education.

Personal statement prompt
Working toward a college degree can create economic mobility and benefit your community. As a future college graduate, how will you “pay it forward” and inspire others in your community to pursue their own college degrees?

A few practical tips (from a teacher)
- Be specific in your personal statement: concrete plans and examples matter.
- Demonstrate both your goals and how you’ve already taken steps to help others.
- Proofread carefully and make sure your GPA and enrollment plans meet the requirements.
- Remember the publicity release—if you’re not comfortable sharing your story publicly, this program may not be a fit.

Selection decisions are final; not all applicants will be selected.