Purpose

The Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship program aims to recognize graduating Wisconsin high school students who demonstrate a balance of outstanding leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation's goal is to encourage Wisconsin youth to pursue post-secondary education in a public or private two-year or four-year college or university. The Foundation awards $10,000 scholarships to 14 Wisconsin private high school graduates each year.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants must be graduating Wisconsin high school students who intend to enroll in a postsecondary institution, which may be a public or private two-year or four-year college or university. Students who are residents of Wisconsin, USA, who are in good standing, and who demonstrate probable success in postsecondary education are eligible to apply. This is a competitive scholarship.

Eligibility is not limited by GPA, class rank, or any other school or program conferred status (ex. National Honor Society, class officer, or other designation). Any student who meets the stated eligibility criteria may apply.

Selection Criteria

Students are evaluated on their leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement. In addition, students are evaluated on their ability to clearly articulate goals in each of four areas: future educational goals, personal life goals, community/society service goals, and career goals. There is no minimum GPA required, nor a requirement for a student to have achieved a specific class rank or percentage (ex. Top 10%) in their class.

Each student must submit three letters of recommendation, one from each of the following categories:

1. Teacher;
2. Counselor or principal;
3. Community member or family friend.

Letters of recommendation are evaluated on how well they describe the student's improvements, contributions, and successes. Letters may be from a current or previous year's teacher, counselor, or principal.