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The application program will be available again in December 2022. Please return then to view the updated Eligibility and Awards for the 2023 academic year! If you are an applicant who would like to discover more scholarship opportunities you might qualify for, please continue to the Scholarship America Hub and sign up!

Vi Ripken Scholar Award
Application status: Closed

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has established a scholarship program to assist students who plan to continue their education in college.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance 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. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.

Applicants to the Vi Ripken Scholar Award must meet all the following criteria:

  • Be a high school senior or first-year college student who has either volunteered or participated in a Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation program, or a program that aligns with the values of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.*
  • Be United States citizens or otherwise legally eligible to work and study in the United States.
  • Plan to enroll in fulltime undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university for the 2022-2023 academic year.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).

*Examples of similar programs that align with the values of Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation include Triple Play, SMART Girls, Healthy Habits, and DIY STEM by Boys & Girls Clubs. Programs by other organizations such as the YMCA and Big Brothers, Big Sisters are also eligible.

Award Amounts

If selected for the Vi Ripken Scholar Award, the student will receive an award of up to $6,250.00. One award will be granted.

The award may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study and continuation of the program by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Selection of Recipients

The recipient will be selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, a statement of educational and career goals and objectives, any unusual personal or family circumstances, responses to the three essays, and a recommendation by a mentor or coach as noted below.*

*The online recommendation must be completed by a mentor or coach who implements Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation programming (or similar programming through another youth-serving organization), or has worked with the applicant in program partnerships with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

Financial need will be considered based upon the applicant’s parent or guardian adjusted gross income, number supported in household, and number of family members enrolled in college. The recipient must demonstrate need.

The recipient is selected by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Scholarship America does not play a part in the selection.  All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Notification

Applicants will be notified in March. Not all applicants to the program will be selected to receive an award. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Payment is made on August 1.

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

  • Current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Unofficial or online transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course, and term in which each course was taken.

    NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload an official copy of those test scores separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

One online recommendation form must also be submitted on your behalf by a mentor or a coach who implements Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation programming (or similar programming through another youth-serving organization), or has worked with the applicant in program that partnerships with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

Your application is not considered complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you the Scholarship America Student Hub!