Year 2 & 3 Scholarship
Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship Eligibility
- You must be a participant in the 2024-25 Winning Futures Year 2 or Year 3 programs at Cass Technical High School, Communication and Media Arts High School, Harper Woods High School, Pontiac Academy for Excellence, or Warren Mott High School
- You must be a 12th grader
- You must have at least 70 percent attendance through April 2025
- You must be in good standing with your school (passing your classes, on track to graduate, and not suspended)
- There is no G.P.A. requirement
Cupp-Hamilton Scholarships can be used for:
- Tuition payments at a community college or university
- Technical training
- Apprenticeship training
- Certificate programs
- Other related educational costs while enrolled in school
Note: This scholarship cannot be used to pay a student loan and is a one-time award (not an annual or recurring scholarship).
Online Application
- Complete and submit all parts of the Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship application by January 12, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST.
- All submissions must be your original work, written in your own words, without plagiarism or help by generative AI/ChatGPT.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Juding Process
- Essay Assessment: Judges will evaluate your essay based on:
- Quality
- Adherence to all essay requirements
- Responses to the questions - Interviews: Applicants whose essays score in the top tier will advance to an interview round in the Spring. Each finalist will participate in an interview.
Winners Notified
- Winners will be notified in May 2024.
To Receive the Scholarship Money
- If you win a scholarship, you must continue participating in Winning Futures throughout your continuing education to receive the scholarship funds.
Need Help or Have Questions?
- Contact Caitlynn at Caitlynn@WinningFutures.org.
Scholarship Questions
Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses (Minimum five sentences, but you can write more). What are your two biggest strengths, and how have they helped you in school or in life? Give an example of when you used these strengths to solve a problem. Also, think about one weakness you have and explain how you will try to get better at it this year.
Set an Academic Goal for This School Year (Minimum five sentences, but you can write more). Pick one specific academic goal you want to reach this school year. For example, improving your English grade from a C to a B-, passing all of your classes, improving your math grade from a B to an A, etc. Using the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) write out your goal. Write at least five steps you will take to meet this goal. Include deadlines and any help or tools you’ll need. Finally, think about how reaching this goal will help you do better in school and achieve your future goals.
Describe what you plan to do after high school (Minimum five sentences, but you can write more). Fully describe your continuing education plan whether it’s college, trade school, or a different program like a certification, apprenticeship, or military service, along with what you plan to study. Explain why you have chosen this type of education path and degree. Share any experiences or learning opportunities that helped you decide. Also, think about any challenges you might face, such as academic, financial, or personal difficulties. How do you plan to overcome these challenges, and what support or strategies will help you stay on track?
Describe Your Current Long-Term Career Goal (Minimum five sentences, but you can write more). What is the career you are most interested in, and why do you like it? Talk about how your skills fit with the tasks of this career and any challenges you think you might face. Include a clear plan for your education, such as the degrees, certificates, or training you will need. Describe how you plan to gain experience in the field while in your continuing education.
Imagine you're receiving the Winning Futures scholarship. Write a speech that you would give to say thank you (Minimum five sentences, but you can write more). Include the following points:
- Start by saying your name.
- You're a 12th-grade student at [name of your school].
- You want to become a [your desired profession].
- Talk about what you have learned or how you've changed since you joined the program. Think about who you were back then and who you are now.
- Share your thoughts about your mentor. Explain how they've helped you and what you've learned from them.
- Take a moment to thank those who supported you along the way. This could be your teachers, mentor, Winning Futures program facilitator, family members, or anyone else you feel helped you.