Applications open on September 1, 2025.

The Whole Person College Program selects inspiring young role models from low-income communities and surrounds them with the following resources during college: community impact planning, one-on-one mentorship, professional networking, leadership and life skill building, Summer Symposium, internship opportunities, and tuition awards up to $5,000 per academic year.

Through a diverse community of thousands of mentors, staff, volunteers, peers, donors, and Scholars alumni, we've created an ecosystem of support that rallies around our exceptional young leaders, providing them with the personal, professional, and financial resources they'll need to thrive in their college careers and start a ripple of impact in their community.

Once a Greenhouse Scholar, always a Greenhouse Scholar. The Whole Person College Program is only phase 1 of our 3-phased Community Change Model approach. After college graduation, Scholars are eligible to recieve additional services through the Young Leaders Program. Learn about our program at greenhousescholars.org/our-program/.

Eligible Students Must:

Be a graduating high school senior planning to attend a four-year accredited academic institution
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a legal resident of California (select counties), Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, or Utah.
Have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
Demonstrate financial need (annual household income no greater than $80,000)
Possess excellent leadership skills, an ability to persevere through difficult circumstances, and a strong interest in and commitment to your community

Application Process

Part 1: Eligibility Survey and Short Response

Report unweighted GPA, household income, and geographic location to confirm eligibility, and submit one short answer response. Eligible applicants will be invited to Part 2 on a rolling basis.
The Part 1 Application opens on September 1, 2025
The Part 1 Application closes on November 13, 2025

Part 2: Academic Information and Written Responses

Submit transcript, ACT/SAT test scores (optional), two letters of recommendation, and four written responses of up to 500 words.
The Part 2 Application opens on September 8, 2025
The Part 2 Application closes on December 3, 2025

Part 3: Video Responses and Financial Reporting

Semi-finalists have two weeks to create and submit a five-minute video response and submit proof of income documents.
The Part 3 Application opens on January 10, 2026
The Part 3 Application closes on January 26, 2026

Part 4: Finalist Interviews

Finalists will be invited to submit updated transcripts, ACT/SAT test scores (optional), a headshot, college acceptance status, other scholarship awards statuses, and to schedule an interview.
The Part 4 application opens on March 3, 2026
Finalist interviews take place between March 23-April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, Boulder, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Raleigh, New York City, and Salt Lake City.

Winner Notifications (April 30, 2025)

Those selected as a Greenhouse Scholar are invited to fully participate in the Whole Person College Program through December 31, 2030. Greenhouse Funding is only available to Scholars who complete the accountability requirements on time, each term.

Program Accountability Requirements by Component

IMPACT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Identify and evolve your impact by developing an Individual Impact Plan.
Actively participate in the Community Impact Initiative with your Greenhouse class.
Complete one presentation at a low-income school prior to your senior year of college.

LIFELONG LEARNING

Hold meaningful communication with your Greenhouse mentor for at least 2 hours per month.

CONNECTIONS

Meet with at least two professional networking contacts each year (1 per semester) from the Greenhouse community.

FUNDING

Greenhouse is a 'last dollar' scholarship, meaning we provide scholarship dollars when a student's financial aid package total and other scholarships are less than your total cost of attendance - resulting in unmet financial need. Our need-based, gap-filling award is up to $5,000 per academic year.
Scholars are eligible for up to $6,000 in Flex Funding grants annually to use towards personal, professional, and academic enrichment.

CAREERS

Complete at least one internship of 200+ hours before the start of senior year of college.

IMMERSIVE GATHERINGS

Attend 4 days of the Summer Symposium in person, held in Boulder, Colorado the first weekend of August each year.

Process

1. Register

Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

3. Create

Create your online application. For a list of required information and attachments, please review the Award Application Guide

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Nomination as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.

Returning visitor? Use the "Login" button.

Contact Us

Greenhouse
1820 Folsom Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (312) 224-1731
Email: program@greenhousescholars.org