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The application program will be live on or after April 18, 2025. Please return then and navigate to the Scholarship America Hub to register your account and begin your application process!

The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship for Veterans
Live application window: April 18, 2025 through June 26, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time

The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship seeks to carry on Rick’s memory and legacy of community service by supporting returning veterans in their preparation for commercial real estate careers in Orange County, CA. Please note, that you will be considered for an award if you do not show interest in commercial real estate but preference will be given to those that do.

The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship for Veterans program will award one or more scholarships annually to returning veterans pursuing education at area institutions of higher learning in Orange County, CA. Rick was an amazing man who was always thinking of ways to help other people throughout his career, military service and community volunteerism. Known for his generosity and humor, Rick leaves a legion of friends and fans.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants to The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship for Veterans must:

  • Be a high school graduate, current undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Be a U.S. veteran (if discharged, the status must be honorable).
    Note: veterans who have re-enrolled into another branch of service are eligible.
  • Be a student who plans to enroll in an accredited program or currently enrolled in an accredited program at: Chapman University, California State University, Fullerton, Orange Coast Community College, Pepperdine University, University of California, Irvine, University of Southern California for the entire upcoming academic year. Certificate programs at these locations will also be considered.

Award Information

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $1,000-$30,000.

Financial need will be considered in determining the amount of each award.

Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Awards are for undergraduate and graduate study.

Selection of Recipients

  • Academic record
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school, community and military service activities
  • Work experience
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • Two online recommendations

*Applicants are encouraged to include commercial real estate projects or activities in goals statement. Preference will be given to applicants who exhibit an interest in entering the commercial real estate field, but other majors will be considered.

Financial need will be considered.

Notification

Applicants will be notified in August. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship. Payments are made in one installment in mid-September.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  1. A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Unofficial or online transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  2. Student Aid Report (SAR).
  3. The Form DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Please black out SSN.

Also as part of your application, two online recommendation forms must be submitted on your behalf no later than June 30, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time.

Your application is not complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically through the Scholarship America Student Hub.

The Rick Hopcraft Memorial Scholarship has partnered with Scholarship America. Select the button below to be directed to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.