Three Southwest High School Class of 2024 graduates will avoid student debt in coming years, as each has been awarded the Hagan Scholarship, worth up to $60,000 over four years.
Scholarships were awarded to Lilly Wolf, who is planning to attend the University of Idaho to study Wildlife Resource Management; Faith Outhouse, who is planning to attend Missouri State University to study Nursing; and Kameron Kelley, who is planning to attend Drury University to study Architecture.
All three said they were ecstatic to hear the news and learn that they no longer have to worry about earning the funds or go into debt to continue their education.
The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients “regardless of nationality” with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. Applicants must graduate from a high school located in the United States. Eligible high schools include public, private, charter, magnet, and STEM schools. Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. Free workshops, free Schwab brokerage accounts, and free study abroad provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Recipients graduating college while in the Hagan Scholarship Program can apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship good for up to four additional semesters in college.
The Hagan Scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters, workshops to learn important life skills not typically covered in the college curriculum, funds to purchase college essentials, an HSF Schwab Brokerage Account to manage in order to learn how to invest, funds to study and travel abroad, and the opportunity to apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship good for up to four additional semesters in college.
The Hagan Scholarship is renewable for up to seven additional consecutive semesters if the recipient fulfills the scholarship criteria and mandatory workshop responsibilities. Funding of the Hagan Scholarship will cease upon graduation from college or after earning 140 credit hours, whichever first occurs. In such event, recipients will continue managing their HSF Schwab Account and fulfill all other scholarship criteria until their Award Year Class graduates college. To receive funding after graduation or after earning 140 credit hours, recipients must apply for and be awarded a Hagan Graduate Scholarship.
First year recipients will receive $2,000 after being awarded a Hagan Scholarship in order to purchase essential items for college not covered by the scholarship; items such as a computer, printer, cell phone, clothing, school supplies, and bedding.
Second year recipients will open a Personal Schwab Brokerage Account. After the account is opened HSF will deposit $100 in the account and provide each recipient with an HSF Schwab Brokerage Account to manage until graduation. HSF funds managed by each recipient will be $10,000 the second year, $15,000 the third year, and $20,000 the fourth year.
Third year recipients who have achieved a 3.50 CGPA are eligible for an all-expense paid study and travel abroad experience worth up to $8,000. Or the funds can be used to study abroad the second semester of the third year in college.
Recipients who will graduate college while in the Hagan Scholarship Program can apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship the semester prior to graduation, good for up to four additional consecutive semesters to attend graduate school or a professional school receiving up to $7,500 each semester. Recipients must enroll in college as a full-time graduate student no later than the fall semester following the Award of a Hagan Graduate Scholarship.
Recipients must work 240 hours from Jan. 1 each year until commencement of the fall semester in college. Work can be full-time employment during the summer, part-time work, or a combination of the two. Employment must be regularly scheduled work performed under supervision for compensation.
“This is a great opportunity for our students at Southwest High School and all three students were assisted in the application process by Cassie Sendra the root-Ed Advisor for Southwest High School,” a press release said. rootEd Alliance is an organization that partners with Ozarks Technical Community College to support students in achieving lifelong success.
