Education is one of the strongest pillars of success for our Rogers-Lowell community. That’s why our Community-Based Scholarship Program is so important. It’s a commitment to helping graduating students pursue higher education.
By giving a little, our community donors make a big difference in the lives of others. Donors’ scholarships increase access to higher education for graduating high school students of all income levels and backgrounds. They open doors to opportunities otherwise not possible.
The Community-Based Scholarship Program is administered through a partnership of the Rogers Lowell Chamber, the Rogers Development Foundation and the Rogers Public Schools.
The program has one goal in mind: to help students continue their higher education and achieve their goals. Since its inception, the program has distributed $8,847,513 in funds to 5,252 Rogers Public School students.
The Community-Based Scholarship Program increases access to higher education for graduating Seniors of the Rogers Public Schools by dispersing scholarship funds awarded by community donors. It’s all made possible by contributions from Community Donors.
Any graduating Senior enrolled in Rogers Public Schools are eligible to apply for Community-Based Scholarships by completing an online application form through their respective high school website. Applicants must be planning to attend an accredited vocational school, college or university. Most Donors select their own scholarship recipient by reviewing submitted applications that match their criteria. Students receive notification of their scholarship award at the annual Scholarship Assembly held at their school in May.
All Community-Based scholarship recipients must complete specific requirements for the disbursement of funds. The Rogers Development Foundation provides convenient online access through My Portal to help students track progress. Scholarship payments are not paid directly to students, only to the vocational school, college or university that the student is enrolled. Learn More about Fall and Spring Semester scholarship requirements.
Students first must notify their high school’s Scholarship Coordinator about their intent to apply for a Community-Based Scholarship. After completing the online application on their high school’s scholarship home page, students are then required to review the high school’s Community Scholarship list for scholarships that they may qualify. Working closely with the Scholarship Coordinator, the student’s application is then submitted to Donors. Links to each high school’s scholarship home page and instructions on applying are located on the Rogers Public Schools website.
My Portal is a convenient online tool offered by the Rogers Development Foundation for both donors and students to manage their Community-Based Scholarships. Eligible donors and students may sign up to access their information, review resources and track action steps.
My Portal features a personal dashboard for Donors to manage their profile, update billing information, view a scholarship disbursement report, access statements, make payments, check balances and print a list of payments made.
Students who receive scholarships also have access to a personal dashboard to manage their profile, view scholarships, get scholarship instructions, find donor thank you letter contact information, review a sample thank you letter, and access their disbursement form (students receiving scholarships are responsible for delivery of this form to the school they are attending).
Students may also track completion of requirements in the process of obtaining funds including the Donor thank you letter, disbursement form, proof of enrollment and transcripts (grades).
Community-Based Scholarship donations don’t have to be large to provide aid to a student in need. They may be awarded in any amount. Giving a little makes a big difference in many lives by offering a chance for a brighter future.
Rogers Public Schools Scholarship Coordinators at each of the three high schools assist students with starting the process to secure Community-Based Scholarships. Coordinators help students navigate the steps of completing the online application, obtaining transcripts (grades) and ACT Scores, completing the Parent Statement/Signature Page and getting a current photo.
Students use Community-Based Scholarships to help fund their higher education experience, enabling them to attend community colleges, vocational training centers, colleges and universities of their choosing from across the nation.
The Community-Based Scholarship Program was founded in 1991 by the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rogers Public Schools. It’s a legacy the community is proud of - coming together to empower students, helping them to harness their ambitions for successful careers and living more fulfilling lives.
It couldn’t be done without Community Donors, as they fuel the passion behind the program’s sustained success.
Through their donations, Donors are catalysts for making our community a better place to live, work and play. Community-Based Scholarships are a strategic investment that empowers families and communities, returning value for a lifetime.