Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Beat the Odds scholarship?

The “Beat the Odds” scholarship is a $2,500 renewable scholarship awarded by Stand for Children Leadership Center.

• Five $2,500 renewable scholarships will be awarded in November 2010 for the 2011-2012 academic year.
• This scholarship is renewable for up to four years provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA or better, completes 12 or more credits each term, and funding is available.
• Scholarships are contingent on acceptance into an accredited 2 or 4-year college program and will be paid directly to the college.

Am I eligible for a scholarship?

To be eligible for a scholarship, students must:

• Be enrolled in a public high school in Oregon, on track to graduate in June 2011.
• Have at least a 3.0 grade point average showing marked effort, improvement, or success.
• Have succeeded in spite of hardships such as poverty, disability, homelessness, or personal tragedy.
• Have volunteered or participated in activities that are helpful to others.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.

The Beat the Odds Scholarship is not for everybody. Recipients agree to share their story at the Beat the Odds award events and participate in all related publicity, including the creation of a short, inspirational video about their lives and accomplishments.

How can I apply?

There are two ways to apply for a Beat the Odds Scholarship – online and by mail. Learn more.

When is the deadline?

The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Friday, September 17.

If you’re applying by mail, your application packet must be postmarked no later than September 17. If your letters of recommendation are being sent separately, they too must be postmarked no later than September 17.

If you’re applying online, you must click “submit” on your online application by 11:59 p.m. on September 17. Your recommenders will need to have submitted their letters of recommendation and all documents must be uploaded before you hit submit in order for your application to be considered.

Please allow ample time to scan and upload transcripts and tax forms (if applying online) and get letters of recommendation well in advance of the deadline. We cannot accept late applications. We cannot accept applications by fax or email.

Students are encouraged to submit their applications as early in the scholarship cycle as possible.

The website says the scholarship is for students who are graduating in June 2011. But I’m a senior right now. Can I apply?

No. Awards for June 2010 graduates were given out in November 2009. Students that are eligible for this year’s scholarships will be juniors until June of this year. They will be seniors when the awards are given out in November, and they will graduate high school in June 2011.

I go to an Oregon public high school, but I plan to go to college in another state. Am I still eligible?

Yes! Beat the Odds scholars can attend any accredited 2 or 4-year college they choose.

What exactly does “demonstrated financial need” mean? Am I ineligible if my parents make a certain amount of money?

Financial need is just one of many factors that our selection committee considers when choosing Beat the Odds scholars. And we know that paying for college is difficult even on a modest income. There is no “cutoff” for estimated household income that will make a student ineligible for the award.

What does Stand for Children Leadership Center do?

Stand for Children is a grassroots child advocacy group. Our mission is to help ordinary people to become leaders who use the democratic process to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive.

We believe that Oregon needs strong public schools to ensure all students – even the ones facing significant hardships – are well prepared to succeed in college or family wage jobs. The Beat the Odds scholarship is offered as part of Stand’s annual fall fundraiser, which helps us raise money to support the work we do to strengthen public schools and other essential children’s programs. Scholarships are underwritten by generous individual and business donors and foundations.

I got a 3.0 in my most recent quarter, but I’m still working on bringing my cumulative GPA up. Can I still apply?

Yes, you may still apply. We do not automatically disqualify you if your cumulative GPA is lower than 3.0, particularly if your transcript shows marked improvement.