Granite Edvance Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Granite Edvance

Overview
- Granite Edvance is offering up to $30,000 in scholarships for the Summer 2026 term. Individual awards will be either up to $1,000 or up to $1,500, depending on the program the student is enrolled in.
- You may apply to more than one scholarship category, but you must submit a separate application for each category. Only one application is allowed per category.

Who is eligible
These scholarships are open to New Hampshire legal residents who, as of the end of the Scholarship Period, meet the following requirements:
- Will be enrolled in a 2‑year college or an eligible trade school for the Summer 2026 term of the 2025–2026 academic year. The school must be Title IV‑eligible and listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal School Code List for 2025–26 or 2026–27 (depending on the school’s term structure).
- Can demonstrate New Hampshire residency to Granite Edvance’s satisfaction.
- Have a cumulative GPA (or equivalent) of at least 2.0 at the time of application.
- Demonstrate financial need: Student Aid Index (SAI) must be less than $40,000. You must complete the FAFSA and be able to share your SAI to be considered.
- Can provide an official financial aid offer (award letter) in order to receive an award.

Important additional rules
- If an applicant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must read and agree to the Scholarship Terms and Conditions in order for the scholarship to be accepted.
- An awardee may receive only one (1) Granite Edvance scholarship per Academic Year. Granite Edvance defines an Academic Year as beginning with the Fall term and including the following Spring and Summer terms. Students who received awards in prior academic years may apply again.
- Granite Edvance employees and their family members are not eligible.

How to apply
- You may apply to multiple categories, but you must submit a separate application for each category and you may submit only one application per category.
- Make sure to include your FAFSA/SAI information and a copy of your financial aid offer with your application, since those are required to be considered for an award.

Scholarship categories and what to write about
1) Leadership & Community Service
- Focus on actions you took to improve your community or lead others. Describe specific projects or roles, the results you achieved, what you learned, and how you’ll continue to lead and serve in college and beyond.

2) First‑Generation Student
- For students whose parents did not complete a bachelor’s degree. Explain how being a first‑generation student has shaped your goals, the challenges you’ve overcome, and how you’ll use your college experience to create opportunities for yourself and others.

3) Academic Excellence
- This category emphasizes strong academic performance (minimum GPA 3.5 required). Discuss your academic achievements, curiosity, work habits, and how your preparation will help you succeed in higher education. Note: GPA is weighted more heavily in the review for this category.

4) Life Experience
- Tell the story of formative experiences—challenges, responsibilities, or unique circumstances—that influenced your growth. Explain what those experiences taught you and how they prepare you to take on the opportunities and challenges of college.

A few final tips from a teacher
- Be specific: examples, outcomes, and reflection matter more than generalities.
- Connect past actions to future plans—reviewers want to see how the scholarship will help you move forward.
- Double‑check that your FAFSA/SAI and financial aid offer are included before you submit.

If you’d like, I can help you draft or review a specific application essay for any of these categories.