New Hampshire Hope Starts Here Scholarship

The NH Coalition to End Homelessness Hope Starts Here Scholarship provides multiple scholarships of financial support to students currently living in NH who have experienced homelessness during their school career, have a desire to continue their education beyond high school, and have demonstrated academic achievement.

Since 2009, the scholarship has helped students who have experienced homelessness achieve their dream of attaining higher education.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicant must be under the age of 21 prior to the scholarship due date;

2. Applicant must be residing in NH at the time of applying for the scholarship;

3. Applicant must be actively pursuing post-secondary education;

4. Applicant must be experiencing homelessness or have experienced homelessness at some point during their school career. Parameters on homeless status are defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act (see below).

According to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, a person is considered homeless who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This includes people living in shelters, cars, motels/hotels, campgrounds, or places not meant for human habitation. The definition includes children and youth who are living with friends or relatives temporarily (doubled-up or sharing the housing of others) because they lack permanent housing.

How may the scholarship be used?

Once you are notified that you have been chosen to receive the scholarship, you will be asked to provide a letter from your choice of post-secondary education confirming your enrollment. The scholarship can be used to help defray the costs associated with college or a post-secondary vocational training program.

How do I apply?

Download the application online. Please read the instructions and complete the application. Completed applications may be emailed to info@nhceh.org, or applications may be mailed to:

NH Coalition to End Homelessness, Attn: Scholarship, 66 Hanover Street, Suite 200, Manchester, NH 03101

Due to the challenges of collecting all the supplemental materials to be submitted at once, applications and materials may be submitted separately (re: students may send in their applications and request schools and other references to send their letters directly to NHCEH). All materials must be received (or postmarked) by May 15th. If a students is having difficulty getting any materials please reach out to info@nhceh.org.

How can I spread the word?

You can also help us inform eligible students about this scholarship by spreading the word. We’ve provided a few easy ways that you can help us get the word out:

• Display our flyer (8.5″ x 11″) in your office, school, or other highly visible area.  We’ll even print out copies of the flyer and send them to you — just email the details of printed material needed to info@nhceh.org.
• Make the Hope Starts Here application readily available for your students or clients to take.
• Spread the word on social media by posting our flyer!