Scholarship Information

Each scholarship will have at a minimum, a description of selection criteria, a list of materials that must be supplied with the application, and a due date. Please review the criteria and information required carefully, as each scholarship is competitive, and does not guarantee an award.

You may apply for more than one scholarship; however, you must include all necessary documents with each scholarship. Non-award of scholarship: If in any year, Kid Power decides that no applicant meets the minimum requirements for a scholarship, the award for that scholarship will not be made that year.

Please note that excerpts from essays may be used in Kid Power publications.

Required Essays:

All applicants must submit the appropriate essay, corresponding with their participation in Kid Power programming. Essays should be a minimum of 1,000 words, single spaced. When responding to essay questions, please be specific. 

Active Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power Protégés: What impact has your mentor and the Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power program had on your life? What was a specific time that your mentor and the MI @ KP program supported your growth? How did they support you?  Please share how this impact will influence your future plans (academic plans, career goals, community engagement and/or other future plans). 

Afterschool/summer Alumni, not actively engaged in Kid Power programming: Describe a time in your life where you demonstrated leadership or overcame an obstacle either through school, social, family life, or another area. What did you learn through that experience? How will that lesson influence your future plans?  

Scholarships Open to Active Protégés in the MI @ KP program:

The following scholarships are open only to active protégés in the MI @ KP program. Applications open to Kid Power alumni, not currently participating in Kid Power programming are listed below.

River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation College Access Fund Scholarship  (4 Year Award)

$8,000

The RRUUC College Access Scholarship will be awarded to an active protégé enrolled in a college or university as a full-time undergraduate student. Scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1. If a student remains in good standing and maintains a GPA of 2.0 or better, the College Access Scholarship Fund will provide a scholarship of at least $2,000 per academic year ($1,000 each semester) for four academic years, for a total of $8,000. This scholarship is subject to change based on River Roads funding. 

2. Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), as reflected on the Student Aid Report (SAR) should not exceed $5,000

3. Students who are awarded the RRUC scholarship should make an effort to attend one church service at RRUUC (near Bethesda Metro Station). 

Scholarships Open to All Graduating Kid Power Participants & Alumni

The following scholarships are open to all graduating seniors who are Kid Power alumni or active participants in Kid Power programming. This includes active protégés in the MI @ KP program. Kid Power Alumni not currently participating in Kid Power programming will need to request a nomination prior to applying. 

Committed to Excellence Award  (One Time Award)

$500

The Committed to Excellence Award is offered to graduating high school seniors who have participated actively in the Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power program and who have been accepted into an accredited educational institution (colleges/universities or vocational schools). Scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate financial need

2. At least one (1) year in the mentoring program

3. GPA of at least a 2.5

Angel Hollis Vaccaro “Be Your Best Self” Scholarship (One Year Award)

$2,000

The “Be Your Best Self” Scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited educational institution (colleges/universities or vocational schools). The scholarship will provide financial support to a DC student who has participated in a Kid Power program as they start or complete their academic degrees or vocational certifications. Alumni must be nominated by Kid Power staff (details for how to seek nomination can be found below). Scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1. GPA of at least a 2.5

2. Additional Essay Required: A minimum of 250 word essay (single spaced)

Essay Topic (please be specific):  

How would you describe leadership and how does it match your values? How will you continue to embody these leadership characteristics in your future? 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST

All application packages must include the following: 

1. Signed and completed application: SUBMIT

2. Student Aid Report (SAR) (Not required for those pursuing job training or vocational programs): SUBMIT

3. College or program acceptance letter or the letter of award from your college/university/program detailing the terms of your financial aid package. If you have not heard from colleges/programs by the deadline, please send in your letter as soon as it arrives:  SUBMIT

4. A recommendation letter from your mentor (required for active protégés) or another supportive adult in your life: SUBMIT

5. An official high school transcript: SUBMIT

6. Personal Essay: MI @ KP SUBMIT or ALUMNI SUBMIT

7. Additional Essay for required award: BE YOUR BEST SELF

8. Kid Power Staff Nomination (Alumni Only), Instructions Below

Please return this form with all supporting documents to via the Google Classroom or email completed forms and materials to: aiden@kidpowerdc.org.

All materials must be received by Friday, April 4th, 2025 at 5pm.  Applications received by March 21st will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of any missing or incomplete materials. Materials submitted after Friday, April 5th will not be considered.  If you have any questions, please contact your staff contact or Aiden Teplitzky Dobens, Program Director,  at aiden@kidpowerdc.org or 202.227.0366.

Guidance for Seeking Kid Power Staff Nomination

All high school seniors who have participated in Kid Power programming are eligible to apply for the Soaring Scholar, Community Builder, Committed to Excellence and the Angel Hollis Vaccaro “Be Your Best Self” Scholarship awards. Even if you haven’t been connected to Kid Power in a number of years, we encourage you to reach out to our staff to seek a nomination!

Request a nomination using our Nomination Request Form. The form will ask you to share the following information: 

• Name

• Current School

• Where you attended Kid Power (i.e. school, Summer Youth Leadership Academy, etc.)

• What year(s) you participated in Kid Power Programming

• A Favorite KP Memory 

• Why you would like to be nominated for one of our scholarship awards

Staff will review and confirm nominations within one week of receiving the form. Staff will not accept nomination requests later than Friday, March 8th and we encourage you to submit your requests by Friday, March 1st to allow you ample time to complete the scholarship application.