FAQ's

Q: What are Dollars for Scholars regions?

A: There are currently seven Dollars for Scholars regional offices (California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New England, New York and Washington). These regional offices serve as a local connection for the chapters to the national organization. The regional offices offer state conferences, training workshops, fundraising and networking opportunities, support, guidance and other services to new and existing chapters. The regional offices also assist interested groups in forming new Dollars for Scholars chapters.

Q: How do I start a Dollars for Scholars chapter?

A: Dollars for Scholars is a proven way to support higher education for local youth. All the organizational materials you need are contained in our "How to Organize a Dollars for Scholars Chapter Kit." To request a copy, contact your local region. If there is no region in your area, contact Scholarship America headquarters. Begin by gathering a strong core group of community leaders with a shared interest in the educational development of local students; this is your planning committee. Since this group will play an important leadership role in the formation of a local foundation-and since Dollars for Scholars works best when it has widespread support-it should represent a broad cross-section of the community. Next, apply to begin a chapter by completing three simple forms, electing chapter leaders, adopting chapter by-laws and determining your goals and objectives. The cost to affiliate with Dollars for Scholars differs by region, so contact your local region for current information. Your chapter can start fundraising and awarding scholarships immediately upon affiliation.


Q: Is Dollars for Scholars a reputable charity?

A: Dollars for Scholars has been helping increase access to higher education across America since 1958. We do this through our coast-to-coast network of community-based, volunteer led scholarship foundations we call "chapters." Our parent organization, Scholarship America, is the nation's largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational support organization. Charity Navigator has given Scholarship America its highest rating for sound fiscal management. Scholarship America has consistently been ranked high in the ratings of other publications, including the Wall Street Journal's Smart Money magazine. All of this means that money donated to Dollars for Scholars goes where it belongs - to help students get to college. Dollars for Scholars really is local philanthropy at its best.


Q: Who receives the scholarships?

A: Dollars for Scholars has traditionally epitomized "grass-roots Americana" in that its chapter volunteers raise their scholarship money locally, keep the money locally and decide how to award the money locally. Most chapters take both need and merit into consideration in awarding their scholarships.

While Dollars for Scholars believes that all communities in every state can benefit from our scholarship program, we do focus our efforts on starting chapters in the highest-need communities. Success depends upon the willingness of a community's leadership to start and build a chapter, which is why we can never promise that specific communities will start chapters.


Q: How can I apply for scholarship aid?

A: Each Dollars for Scholars chapter selects its scholarship recipients from an identified student population. Often, but not always, this means attending a specific high school. Generally, Dollars for Scholars chapters provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors planning to attend any accredited postsecondary educational institution. This includes trade and technical institutes and colleges, community and junior colleges and four-year colleges and universities.