Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholars Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Reagan Foundation

If you’re a U.S. high school senior thinking about college, pay attention — this is worth your time.

What it is
- The GE–Reagan Foundation Scholarship awards up to $40,000 to high school seniors across the country who demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. The application is straightforward and has changed the lives of many students.

Apply now
- The 2026 application is open. Deadline: January 5, 2026 at Noon CST.

Eligibility checklist (must meet all)
- U.S. citizen.
- Current high school senior graduating winter 2025 or spring 2026 (includes students in U.S. territories, commonwealths, home‑schooled students, and those on U.S. Armed Forces bases abroad).
- Plan to enroll full time at an accredited 4‑year college or university in the U.S. for the entire 2026–2027 academic year.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- Demonstrated leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship in school, community, or work.

What the committee is looking for
- Think of the qualities President Reagan emphasized: leadership used to benefit others, strong moral character, persistence in the face of challenges, and active citizenship. The committee wants to see evidence — not vague claims — of these traits in your life.

How to make your application shine (practical teacher advice)
- Be specific: use concrete examples and short stories. Rather than “I volunteer,” say what you did, for how long, what you learned, and how it impacted others.
- Show leadership with impact: starting a program, leading a team, improving a process, or sustaining a volunteer effort matters more than just holding a title.
- Demonstrate integrity and character: moments when you made a difficult but right choice are powerful.
- Tie it together: explain how your experiences shape your goals and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
- Proofread and ask for feedback: let a teacher or mentor review your essays for clarity, specificity, and tone.

Resources
- Watch the three‑part video series featuring past recipients and program insiders for specific tips on crafting a competitive application.

Final note
- This is competitive but attainable. If you meet the eligibility requirements, take the few hours to apply — you may be surprised how much it can help you and your future.