Hope Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Bank of Hope
Investing in our community’s future
Bank of Hope is committed to supporting education in the neighborhoods we serve. Through the Hope Scholarship Foundation, we have awarded millions in scholarships. The 2026 Hope Scholarship is intended to provide a “small but great hope” to help selected students move forward with their educational goals.
Award details
- Amount: $2,500 per recipient.
- Each selected student may receive only one award. Awards are payable to the student only; they cannot be transferred to a spouse or dependents, nor substituted. Payment will be made to the student’s college or university on the student’s behalf, either by paper check or wire transfer.
Application deadline
- Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Who may apply (Eligibility)
Applications that do not meet these criteria will be disqualified.
- U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, or lawful permanent resident status is required. Citizens of the Freely Associated States are also eligible.
- Applicants must be incoming freshmen enrolling in a 2‑year or 4‑year institution (high school graduates of 2026).
- Minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or possession of a GED.
- Demonstrated financial need is required; applicants must meet income restrictions and limitations (see Bank of Hope Scholarship Income Restriction for details).
Residency requirement
Applicants must live in one of the following counties:
California
- Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Santa Clara County, San Diego County
New York
- Nassau/Suffolk County, New York County, Queens County
New Jersey
- Bergen County
Georgia
- Gwinnett County
Illinois
- Cook County
Washington
- King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County
Alabama
- Montgomery County
Texas
- Dallas County, Harris County, Houston/Fort Bend County
Hawaii
- Hawaii County (Island of Hawaii), Honolulu County (Island of Oahu), Kauai County (Island of Kauai), Maui County (Islands of Lanai, Maui and Molokai)
How to apply
- Click the APPLY NOW button when you are ready to submit. The application is a single, final submission — once you begin and submit, you cannot return to edit or save changes. Prepare all required materials in advance.
Required supporting documents
Have the following documents ready to upload before starting the online application:
1. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2025 Income Tax Return Form:
- Applicant must be listed as a dependent on the return. The foundation will use the submitted Form 1040 to verify Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
2. Recommendation letter:
- The recommender must send the letter directly to [email protected]. The email subject line must clearly identify the applicant using this format: Scholarship_Student's First & Last Name (for example, Scholarship_John Doe).
3. Transcript:
- Upload the most recent official or unofficial transcript from your school in PDF format. If you earned a GED, attach your GED transcript/certification under “Transcripts” on the Attachment Page.
4. Essay:
- Submit your essay in PDF format (see Essay section below).
Essay instructions
- Choose ONE of the topics below. Prepare an essay of roughly 500 words and upload it as a PDF with your application. Prepare the essay before beginning the online form since you cannot save and return to edit once you start. Essays will be judged on relevance to the prompt, grammar, and spelling.
Topic 1:
- Describe a personal hardship or catastrophic life event you have experienced. Explain how you coped and overcame the challenge, and discuss what you learned and how you changed as a result.
Topic 2:
- Write about occasions in your life where you have shown leadership and made a positive impact on yourself and others.
Important notes
- If you fail to meet any eligibility or document requirements, your application will be forfeited.
- For additional details on income qualifications, consult the Bank of Hope Scholarship Income Restriction information.
Questions or submission issues
- Recommendation letters must be emailed directly by the recommender to [email protected] with the required subject line format.