Criteria

1. Open to students who were adopted through Spaulding for Children’s special needs adoption program.
2. Student has applied to or is enrolled in an accredited two or four year private or public college or university. If currently enrolled in a college or university, student maintains a minimum 2.0 grade point average and is working towards a bachelor’s degree.
3. Student has completed high school with a minimum 2.0 grade point average or achieved a G.E.D.
4. Student has demonstrated ability to be successful in the program that he/she has chosen.
5. Student received at least three written recommendations from non-family members, with, when appropriate, a minimum of two from teachers who have knowledge of his/her ability. If necessary, community contacts may be substituted for teachers’ recommendations.
6. Student is willing to be an Ambassador for special needs children by encouraging others to seek higher education, attending an event for presentation of the scholarship, and reporting on results of his/her studies.

Application Procedures

1. Student completes required application form, including any required substantiation, And essay indicating his/her future plans and why he/she wants to be considered for scholarship. Student application includes section for parent to complete and a school budget. Application is submitted to Spaulding for Children by the established deadline date.
2. Student submits three written recommendations from non-family members, with, when appropriate, a minimum of two from teachers. If necessary, community contacts may be substituted for teachers’ referrals.

Scholarship Amounts

1. The scholarship will be applied directly to tuition and fees (excluding the student Activity fee) at any accredited institution of higher learning subject to the availability of funds determined by the Selection Committee. The scholarship amount will not exceed the lesser of (1) total tuition and fees at the selected institution or (2) the average tuition and fees required at the University of Houston for the semester in which the student will attend.
2. The scholarship amount will be paid directly to the institution the student attends and will be designated for the sole benefit of the student receiving the scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be required to provide, in a designated time, specific information regarding payment.
3. Any refund by the college or university of tuition and fees paid with Spaulding for Children scholarship funds must be returned to Spaulding for Children