General Information
Is there a fee to apply?
No. There are no fees to apply for Horatio Alger Association scholarships.
How can I contact the Association if I have questions about the application?
We encourage you to review the FAQ, Eligibility Information and Required Forms on our website to locate answers to any questions you may have. If you do not find an answer to your question, please email
[email protected] or call toll‐free at (844) HAA‐4200, Monday‐Friday, 9:00‐5:00 Eastern Time.
Where does funding for Horatio Alger Association Scholarships come from?
Horatio Alger Association Scholarships are funded through the generosity of the Association’s Members, Life Partners, and Friends of the Association.
Do I have to complete my application in one sitting?
No. You can save your work and return to your application at any time.
Deadlines
When is the deadline for submitting applications?
The Horatio Alger Scholarship application will open on
December 1 and close on
March 15. The Horatio Alger Scholarship application is a common application meaning that you apply once and you will be considered for the range of scholarship programs offered by the Association. In order to be considered, your application and all required materials must be uploaded to your online application by
5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 15.
Application Deadline: March 15
I missed the deadline. Can I still apply?
No, due to the large number of applications submitted, applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Eligibility
I am a home-schooled student, can I apply?
Yes. To apply as a home-schooled student you will need to write in “Home School” for your school name.
Is there a minimum SAT or ACT score requirement?
No. The Association does not require a minimum score on the SAT or ACT.
Is there a minimum Grade Point Average requirement?
Yes. All applicants must have and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
I’ve already received my GED/Diploma; do I qualify?
No. If you have already graduated from high school, you do not qualify. To be eligible, you must be a current high school junior.
There are many additional sources of scholarships and financial aid available. Visit www.fastweb.com and www.collegegreenlight.com for more scholarship listings.
I am eligible for more than one scholarship that the Association offers. Do I have to fill out more than one application?
No. You only have to submit one application to receive consideration for all of our scholarship programs for which you are eligible.
Academic Information Section (Certification form, Counselor information)
What is the Certifications Form?
The Certification Form is an online form completed by the student’s high school counselor. This form is used to verify the student’s academic information (i.e. GPA, class ranking, coursework, etc.).
What if my counselor still has not received it?
Many organizations block automatically generated email communications such as ours. If you have resent the Certification Form email more than two (2) times and it has not been received, please email
[email protected] and provide the following information: applicant’s name, counselor’s name and counselor email address.
Adversity Section and Support Form
What is the Adversity Section?
The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to those students who have confronted and overcome significant adversity. It is important that applicants are as detailed as possible so as to provide the selection committee a clear picture of individual circumstances.
Why can't I edit the Adversity Section anymore?
Once your Support provider submits their confirmation of your Adversity Section, you no longer have the ability to make any changes in that section. Before requesting that the Support Provider complete their review, please make sure you have completed and reviewed all of your information from the Adversity Section.
What is a Support Form?
The Support Form is an online form that is completed by your Support Form Provider. This online form contains all of the information you write in the Adversity section. The Support Form Provider reviews and confirms the accuracy of the information provided.
What is a Support Form Provider and who should I list as my Support Form Provider?
A Support Form Provider must be an adult over the age of 21 who is not related to you. This person will read all of the information you provide in the Adversities section of the application. You should choose an individual who is familiar with the adversities you have written about and who can provide additional information and insight about you and your ability to overcome these adversities. Examples of a Support Form Provider include but are not limited to: a neighbor, family friend, counselor, pastor, or teacher.
Financial Information
Is there an income limit?
Yes, an applicant’s adjusted gross family income must be $55,000 or lower.
Whose income should be listed if my parents are separated or divorced?
Please follow the directions presented in the application to determine what documentation you must provide.
What if I do not have access to a copy of my parent(s) tax return that was filed?
You have the option to submit a copy of the tax transcript which can be requested through the IRS website at
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript.
Note: Electronic (PDF) IRS tax transcripts are available immediately. Tax transcripts sent through the mail may take 5‐10 days for you to receive. Tax transcripts will list dependents by social security number, for verification purposes please write your name next to your social security number on the tax transcript.
What should I do if my parents do not file an income tax return?
If your parents were not required to file a tax return, include statement copies showing the amount of any government benefits received, such as Public Assistance or Disability Statement documents.
Faxes/emails will not be accepted. If you have any questions about appropriate forms, please contact the Association at
[email protected].
Based on my student status, what do I need to provide to verify my income?
Please follow the directions presented in the application to determine what documentation you must provide.
What do I need to submit to verify critical financial need?
Your required income verification documentation is based on your student status. Please follow the directions presented in the application to determine what documentation you must provide.
Is there a list of documents the Horatio Alger Association will not accept?
The following documents are not acceptable forms of income verification:
a. W2s, 1099 or check stubs
b. Child support payments/Divorce agreements
c. Checking/Savings account statements
d. Free/Reduced lunch forms/letters/statements
e. Social Security payments for students or children
f. Utility assistance
g. Pension statements
h. Copies of food assistance cards
i. Medicaid/Medicare cards or statements
j. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
k. TANF/SNAP benefits statements
l. State or Foreign tax returns
m. Handwritten tax returns or benefit worksheet
What if my parents never married, are divorced, remarried or widowed?
Please follow the directions presented in the application to determine what documentation you must provide.
What if I have a stepparent?
If you have a stepparent who is married to and files jointly with the legal parent with whom you lived the most during the previous 12 months, you must provide information about that stepparent as well.
What if I don’t live with my parents?
Please follow the directions presented in the application to determine what documentation you must provide.
NOTE: The following people are not recognized as your parents for the purposes of our application unless they have legally adopted you: grandparents, aunts or uncles, brothers or sisters, or family friends.
What if I have no contact with my parents?
If you do not know where your parents live, or you’ve left home due to an abusive situation, contact Association staff at
[email protected] to discuss how to proceed.
Supplemental Documents
How do I submit my documents?
All documents must be uploaded through the online application. No documents submitted by mail, email or fax will be accepted. No exceptions. Documents submitted via mail, email, or fax will be destroyed for the applicant’s security.
My counselor and/or support form provider is not receiving the email to complete their portion of my application, what can I do to ensure this email is received?
Many organizations often block automatically generated email communications such as ours. If you have resent the Certification Form and/or Support Form email more than two (2) times and it has not been received, please email
[email protected] and provide the following information: applicant’s name, counselor/support form provider’s name and email address.
Citizenship
Do I have to be a United States citizen to apply for a scholarship?
Yes. You must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Horatio Alger Association scholarships. If you were born in another country, you will be required to submit proof of citizenship. U.S. residents do not qualify for this program.
I have a permanent resident card, can I apply for a Horatio Alger Scholarship?
No. Individuals with a permanent resident card, US green card or who received permanent residency under the DREAM Act are not eligible.
Am I required to submit proof of citizenship?
Applicants who are
selected for a scholarship and not born in the United States but who are United States citizens are required to verify their citizenship by uploading one of the following documents to their application:
- A copy of the photo ID page from your United States issued passport which includes your full name; or
- A copy of your citizenship certificate. If you do not have a certificate but your parents are United States citizens please submit a copy of a parent’s citizenship certificate; or a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
- If you were born in the United States, do not submit proof of citizenship.
Notification and Award Information
When are the winners notified? Are applicants who have not won also notified?
Only awardees will be notified. Undergraduate applicants that are awarded will be notified via email and mail in April. Applicants for the targeted programs will be announced in April/May. A listing of recipients will also be posted online.
If I am awarded a Horatio Alger Association Scholarship, how will I receive my money?
Disbursement information will be sent to you each year in May. You will be asked to go online and request your funds for the upcoming year at that time. We send the check directly to your college to be credited to your account. Scholarship funds may be applied to any line-item in your Cost of Attendance.
Can I use a Horatio Alger Association scholarship at any college and for any major?
Undergraduate Scholars must attend a non‐profit public or private accredited four‐year institution in the United States on a full-time basis and pursue an uninterrupted course leading to an undergraduate bachelor’s degree. Two‐year colleges qualify for the first two years of study if the credits are transferable to an accredited four‐year college or university. (Applicants for targeted/school-specific programs must attend the school for which they receive the award)
The Association will not send funds to proprietary (for‐profit) or online colleges. Therefore if you plan on attending a for‐profit college you will not be eligible to receive this scholarship. To verify that your college is not a propriety institution, please
click here. Search for your college and read the description about the school stating if it is a public, private, or proprietary school. If “Proprietary” is listed under school type then you are not eligible to receive this scholarship.
All scholarship recipients may pursue any major of their choice leading to a bachelor’s degree.
If I am awarded other scholarships or financial aid, does it affect my eligibility for a Horatio Alger Association Scholarship?
No. The only exception is if you receive a scholarship or other funding that covers your full Cost of Attendance. We would then ask that you notify the Association so that we may re‐award the scholarship funds.
