Project GRAD Houston Scholarship Program

POLICY GUIDELINES

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Project GRAD Houston Scholarship Program provides financial assistance toward a college education to eligible seniors of Project GRAD Houston affiliated High School in Houston, Texas. Each qualifying student is awarded $1,000 annually, for a total of four years. The scholarship is intended to be used continuously over four consecutive years at an accredited college or university starting within one year of graduation from high school.

POLICY AUTHORITY AND ADMINISTRATION

Daily administration of the Project GRAD Houston Scholarship Program is the responsibility of Project GRAD Houston. Students should contact Project GRAD-Houston, P.O. Box 15568, Houston, TX 77220 phone (832) 325-0344, fax (832) 325-0383, with any questions regarding their scholarship.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

All Project GRAD Houston affiliated High School students are eligible to earn a scholarship under this program, provided they meet all of the following requirements:

The student must enter High School during the ninth grade, and after being made aware of the scholarship requirements by the coordinator at High School, must sign an agreement to work toward a scholarship at graduation.
The student must participate in two (2) Academic Institutes, or an equivalent program pre-approved by the principal of High School and Project GRAD Houston.
The student must take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) during the tenth or eleventh grade while attending High School.
The student must have a 2.5 overall grade-point average at the time of graduation from High School.
The student must graduate from High School in four years or less.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN SCHOLARSHIP

Just prior to graduation, qualifying students will be officially notified that they have earned a scholarship under this program and will be provided a copy of these guidelines. To maintain the scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

Once notified, the student must complete, sign and deliver a Scholar Profile and Letter of Certification form to the High School Scholarship Coordinator by May 16th of their senior year.
The student must provide the High School Scholarship Coordinator with a copy of the student’s acceptance letter or other proof of acceptance from an accredited college or university when available, but no later than June 15th for a Fall start date and November 15th for a Spring start date. An accredited college or university is defined under this policy as one that (a) grants a degree and (b) offers earned hours that are principally creditable toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university. Business, technical, vocational and occupational schools usually will not qualify under this program as accredited colleges or universities even though they may offer a two-year associate’s degree. Earned hours taken at these schools must be principally creditable toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university.
The student must complete at least twelve (12) credit hours each semester or a total of twenty-four (24) credit hours each academic year before re-enrolling at an accredited college or university for the following semester/year and the student must complete Developmental course work (Reading, Writing, Math) within two semesters.
The student must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 at the accredited college or university.
After the first year’s scholarship has been paid out and for every year thereafter, the student must provide (1) a certified copy of his or her transcripts for the previous two semesters and (2) a completed and signed Request for Funds form to Project GRAD-Houston. Both of these documents will be due by June 15th prior to the start of the Fall semester, and November 15th prior to the start of the Spring semester.
The student must enroll at an accredited college or university within one year of graduation from high school and must not let continuous enrollment lapse for more than one year. As a result, the student has a total of five (5) years from the time of graduation from High School to use their scholarships.
Should a student eligible for a scholarship under this program enlist for active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and begin serving in such branch within twelve (12) months from graduating High School, then the student’s eligibility for the Project GRAD Houston Scholarship may be extended for two (2) years. In no event, however, shall Project GRAD Houston’s obligation to provide funding under the scholarship extend beyond six (6) years after graduation. A student wishing to extend his or her scholarship term as a result of enlisting in the United States Armed Forces within the twelve (12) month period after high school graduation must submit documentation of the enlistment to Project GRAD-Houston, P.O. Box 15568 Houston, TX 77220 within twelve (12) months of graduation from High School. In addition, when the student wishes to initiate his or her scholarship after leaving the military service, he or she must notify Project GRAD-Houston of such intent and provide a copy of the acceptance letter or registration receipt from an accredited college or university by June 15th for a Fall start date and November 15th for a Spring start date. He or she must also comply with the other program requirements described above.
The student can transfer from one college/university to another but must give prior written notification to Project GRAD-Houston. The student making a mid-year transfer is responsible for having scholarship funds at his or her present college/university returned to Project GRAD Houston in order for Project GRAD Houston to send the funds to the new school. The funds must be returned to Project GRAD Houston, before any future awards can be made. The student should contact the financial aid office for assistance in these situations. The student must keep Project GRAD-Houston informed of changes in the college or university he or she is attending, and his or her current address. The student who is not returning to school and who wishes to postpone his or her scholarship should notify Project GRAD-Houston.
The student must adhere to the above guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the student becoming ineligible for additional scholarship funds under this program.

STUDENT REIMBURSEMENTS

Each year’s scholarship amount is sent directly to the college or university and is intended to pay only for tuition, fees, books and course supplies at the rate of up to $500 per semester. A scholarship balance remaining on a student’s account will not be refunded to the student but instead applied to the following semester’s costs.

If a student pays for tuition, fees, books or course supplies with his or her own money, the student will be reimbursed by the school for these out-of-pocket costs up to the amount of the scholarship for that semester. The student must provide receipts for such expenses to the school.

SCHOLARSHIP TERMINATION AND THE APPEAL PROCESS

If a student fails to meet any of the scholarship requirements listed above, the student will forfeit his or her scholarship, and be notified by Project GRAD-Houston. If a student disagrees with the ruling, he or she may submit a written appeal to be reviewed by Project GRAD Houston/High School Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least one representative each from Project GRAD Houston and High School. Appeals should include the student’s name and address, explanation of why he or she believes that the evaluation of the student’s failure to meet the program requirements is incorrect, and the documentation that supports that claim. This information should be sent to Project GRAD Houston, P.O. Box Houston, TX 77220.

PROBATION RECOVERY PROGRAM

A student is eligible for the probation recovery program if he or she takes 12 hours and receives a 2.0 GPA the semester following forfeiture paid by his or her personal funds. The student can initiate the probation recovery program only if no more than 1 year or 2 semesters has lapsed and as long as they have taken 12 hours and made a 2.0 grade point average. Reinstated scholarships will be paid on a semester by semester basis. Each student is allowed this recovery option only one time.

The mission of Project GRAD is to ensure a quality public education for all students in economically disadvantaged communities so that high school and college graduation rates increase.