WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP?
​The Herb Kohl Initiative Scholarship is a $10,000 award that is paid directly to the recipient's chosen college.  One hundred scholarships are awarded annually to public and private Wisconsin high school students.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED?
​One hundred different Wisconsin high schools are selected each year to award an Initiative Scholarship to one of their students.  Students must be enrolled at one of this year's designated high schools in order to be eligible for consideration.  The intent of the Initiative Scholarship is to recognize students who are residents of Wisconsin, putting forth extraordinary effort to do their best in the classroom, have overcome significant personal obstacles or other adversity, and whose class rank is likely to make them ineligible for academic scholarships.  Selected Initiative Scholars should be students who:

1.               are unlikely to be eligible for other academic-based scholarships;
2.               have overcome personal obstacles or other adversity;
3.               have achieved an academic record that represents their maximum effort;
4.               show strong promise for succeeding in a postsecondary environment as evidenced by a well-rounded, solid secondary school performance;
5.               display other outstanding qualities, demonstrate a high level of motivation to achieve; and
6.               are residents of Wisconsin.

HOW CAN I BE CONSIDERED?
​If you believe you meet the criteria, and your school is among those that will receive an Initiative Scholarship to be awarded in 2023, contact your school principal or counselor beginning December 5, 2022.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION DEADLINE?
​Your school must determine its scholarship recipient and complete the online selection form for the chosen student.  The submission deadline is January 17, 2023. 

​WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
​Your school will form a screening committee, composed of school teachers and administrators, to evaluate eligible students and select the Initiative Scholarship recipient from your school.

​HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO RECEIVE AN INITIATIVE 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 colleges.

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 to use the scholarship.

DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP EXPIRE IF IT IS NOT USED RIGHT AFTER I GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?
​You may defer your scholarship if you do not plan to use it immediately after you graduate from high school, 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 be granted deferral 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 goals and circumstances unique to college students, or study abroad
• Religious mission