What is the amount of the scholarship?

The Excellence Scholarship is a $10,000 award that is paid directly to the recipient's chosen college. One hundred scholarships are awarded annually. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Any graduating high school student who intends to enroll in a two-year or four-year college or university. Students who are Wisconsin, USA residents, attend a Wisconsin high school, are in good standing, and demonstrate probable success in postsecondary education are eligible for consideration. They will be evaluated on leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, academic achievement, future educational goals, personal life goals, community/society service goals, and career goals. This is a competitive scholarship. Candidates are not evaluated on financial need. 

How can I apply?

The application window opens each year in August.  You will be able to submit your application online from this website. 

What is the application deadline?

The deadline for submitting a completed application for the 2024 award year will be posted when it is finalized.  

What is the selection process?

Your application will be reviewed by a regional committee.  The regional committees will select 200 finalists from among all applications submitted statewide. The finalist applications will be reviewed and scored by a statewide selection committee in late January, and the highest scoring 100 applicants will receive an Excellence Scholarship.  

How will I know if I have been chosen to receive a scholarship?

You will be contacted by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation no later than March 2023.

Must the scholarship be used only at Wisconsin colleges?

The scholarship may be used at any two- or four-year postsecondary institution and is not limited to Wisconsin.

Must I enroll as a full-time college student in order to use the scholarship?

You may be a part-time or full-time student.

Does the scholarship expire if it is not used right after I graduate from high school?

You may defer the use of your scholarship, but you must first apply to the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for deferral.  Herb Kohl Foundation considers each deferment request independently according to the circumstances of that request. You may only defer your scholarship once, and you must use your scholarship within four years from the date the scholarship was first awarded.

Students seeking deferment must provide a personal statement, which should be no longer than one page in length, explaining the circumstances of the request.  Please include the date on which the student anticipates being able to resume his/her scholarship.

Common examples of situations giving rise to a request for deferment include but are not limited to:

• Medical or physical illness, injury, or disability
• Extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control
• Involuntary U.S. military service
• Internships related to major or future career goals and circumstances unique to college students, or study abroad
• Religious mission