Apply for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship and earn up to $20,000 over four years. Open to high school seniors with a 2.5+ GPA, demonstrating ambition and community impact. Enroll in a U.S. college or university.
2025 Equitable Excellence Scholarship® Guide
A renewable award for high-school seniors who lead, serve, and plan to pay it forward.
What This Scholarship Is About
Looking for a renewable scholarship that actually supports you all the way through college? The Equitable Excellence Scholarship® is one of the longest-running corporate programs for U.S. high-school seniors. Sponsored by Equitable Foundation and administered by Scholarship America, it’s designed for students who work hard, lift up others, and plan to keep making a difference.
Since 2003, the program has helped thousands of students pay for college while building leadership, wellness, and career skills.
How Much You Can Get
- Teacher Award: Every recipient names a teacher who receives a $500 gift card for classroom supplies.
- Extra support: Winners get access to financial-wellness, mental-wellness, and professional-development workshops (one required per year).
Who’s Eligible
- Current high school senior graduating in 2025.
- Resident of any U.S. state, D.C., or Puerto Rico.
- Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college (Fall 2025).
- Minimum GPA: 2.5 (4.0 scale).
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Shows ambition, resilience, and community impact.
- Agree to let Equitable share your name, photo, and story if you win.
Not eligible: employees, financial professionals, or close relatives of Equitable, Scholarship America, or affiliates.
How to Apply
- Open the online form on Scholarship America’s Equitable Excellence Scholarship page.
- Create your account (use a personal email you’ll keep after high school).
- Fill in details about yourself, grades, activities, and community work.
- Write the essay (2025 topic: how earning a degree can help you pay it forward).
- Upload your transcript (must show name, school, courses, credits, and grades).
- Review and submit before the deadline; you’ll get a confirmation email.
Late or incomplete submissions are not reviewed — start early to gather docs and craft a strong essay.
Key Dates
- Applications open: Early October 2024
- Deadline: December 18, 2024
- Winners announced: March–April 2025 (via email)
- Payments sent to colleges: August 2025
What Reviewers Look For
- Leadership and service in school, work, or community.
- Initiative and persistence, especially overcoming challenges.
- Work or volunteer experience.
- A clear, thoughtful essay.
- Documented financial need.
Quick Facts
- Number of awards: Up to 100 nationwide
- Total new funding: About $500,000 each year
- Study level: Undergraduate only (case-by-case approval for accredited schools abroad)
Need Help?
Program info & application: Equitable Excellence Scholarship® (Scholarship America)
Email: — click to copy
Helpline: 855-996-2255
