$3,500 Scholarship
Available to eligible Columbus City Schools High School Seniors
The application deadline has passed for the 2020-2021 academic year.
dream big scholarship
Minimum Criteria
- 2.75 or higher cumulative high school GPA
- 2020 Graduate of Columbus City Schools
- Federal Pell Grant Eligible
- Enrolling in college full-time immediately following high school graduation
- Completion of IKIC college access milestones
- Two or more college applications submitted
- Three or more one-on-one IKIC advising sessions
- Two or more ACT/SAT test scores
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion
Supporting Documents Needed
- 2020-21 FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Unofficial high school transcript (including ACT/SAT test scores)
what you should know
Students are eligible to receive only ONE of IKIC’s funding opportunities (IKIC Grant, Dream Big Scholarship, or Founders’ Scholarship)
Students submitting this application will NOT need to submit the IKIC Grant application
Recipients must have unmet need determined by the financial aid award letter of the intended institution of $3,500 or greater to receive this scholarship
Students may renew the grant for up to four years (two years at a two-year institution).
Students must re-apply for the grant each year
Remember to complete and submit the FAFSA prior to the scholarship deadline!
**PLEASE NOTE**
If you are selected for and accept this scholarship, you will need to participate in all the required workshops, communications, and evaluation measures requested and presented by I Know I Can. Furthermore, this is a pilot scholarship program, whose terms and conditions may change from year-to-year.
Application Checklist:
- Completed application form
- 2020-21 FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Unofficial high school transcript (including ACT/SAT test scores)
faq
- What are the requirements for the Dream Big Scholarship?
- 2.75 or higher cumulative high school GPA
- 2020 Graduate of Columbus City Schools
- Federal Pell Grant Eligible
- Enrolling in college full-time immediately following high school graduation
- Completion of IKIC college access milestones
- Two or more college applications submitted
- Three or more one-on-one IKIC advising sessions
- Two or more ACT/SAT test scores
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion
- My cumulative GPA does not meet the minimum. Am I still eligible?
- No. You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 to be eligible.
- I did not go to Columbus City Schools all four years of high school. Am I still eligible?
- Yes. As long as you graduate from a CCS high school you are eligible for the Dream Big Scholarship.
- I am a college student. Am I eligible to apply for the Dream Big Scholarship?
- No. This scholarship is only open to current high school seniors.
- When do I apply for the Dream Big Scholarship?
- Students must submit their first application for the Dream Big Scholarship during senior year of high school. Applications will be available on www.iknowican.org, with an IKIC College Advising Manager, or at the IKIC Office.
- The application deadline is February 28th at 5:00 p.m.
- What documents do I need to submit for a complete application?
- A student’s application will be considered complete when it contains:
- Application, printed or typed neatly in blue/black ink and signed
- 2020-21 FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Unofficial high school transcript (including ACT/SAT test scores)
- Please be sure that your first and last name are on every document you submit.
- NOTE: Applications that are incomplete on the deadline will be denied.
- A student’s application will be considered complete when it contains:
- How do I submit my application and supporting documents?
- HAND-DELIVER OR MAIL:
I Know I Can
ATTN: Dream Big Scholarship
1108 City Park Ave, Suite 301
Columbus, OH 43206 - FAX: Be sure to include your name and phone on the cover page. Send all faxes to:
ATTN: Dream Big Scholarship
614-233-9512 - EMAIL: You can email your application and documents as an attachment.
Attach the document to an e-mail message addressed to dreambig@iknowican.org
The subject of your e-mail message should include your name.
- HAND-DELIVER OR MAIL:
- What is the FAFSA Student Aid Report? Where do I find it?
- The FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) is an electronic document that lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA as well as basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid.
- You can access your FAFSA SAR at www.fafsa.ed.gov after your FAFSA has been processed (approximately 4 business days after you complete and submit the FAFSA online).
- The FAFSA SAR is typically 7-8 pages and can be downloaded as a PDF
- NOTE: Be sure to complete your FAFSA at least one week prior to the Dream Big Scholarship application deadline
- Do I have to submit separate applications for the Founders’ Scholarship and the Dream Big Scholarship?
- Yes. CCS seniors applying to both the Founders’ Scholarship and Dream Big Scholarship should submit completed, on-time applications for both the Founders’ Scholarship and Dream Big Scholarship. Students can only receive one, so if you are selected for the Founders’ Scholarship, you will not receive the Dream Big Scholarship.
- What happens if I am approved for the Founders’ Scholarship and the Dream Big Scholarship?
- If you are approved for both, you will only receive the Founders’ Scholarship. We encourage eligible students to apply for both when submitting a Founders’ Scholarship application so you will not miss the deadline to apply for the Dream Big Scholarship in the event that you are not selected for the Founders’ Scholarship.
- I have been approved for the Dream Big Scholarship. What next?
- Once you have been approved for the Dream Big Scholarship and received an approval letter, you should read the letter carefully and be sure to submit the following items:
- Financial aid award letter from your college
- Your fall class schedule for the upcoming year
- Your college student ID#
- Your current e-mail address
- NOTE: You must submit these final documents in order to receive the Dream Big Scholarship funds. I Know I Can will not be able to send the scholarship to your college without these documents.
- Once you have been approved for the Dream Big Scholarship and received an approval letter, you should read the letter carefully and be sure to submit the following items:
- What is a financial aid award letter?
- A financial aid award letter shows the grants, scholarships, and loans that your college has awarded you. You may have received a paper copy or it may have been sent electronically, either by e-mail or on your college’s student access website.
- If you have trouble finding it, please contact the financial aid office at your college.
- NOTE: The financial aid award letter is different from the FAFSA Student Aid Report.
- How much is the Dream Big Scholarship worth?
- The Dream Big Scholarship is worth $3,500.
- How is the Dream Big Scholarship dispersed?
- The Dream Big Scholarship is sent in two payments. You will receive $1,750 in the fall semester and $1,750 in the spring semester, provided you are enrolled full-time.
- How will I know when the Dream Big Scholarship has been received by my college?
- You will see a $1,750 credit on your account when the Dream Big Scholarship has been received and processed by your college. Depending on how your college processes payments, it may not be specifically listed as Dream Big Scholarship.
- Why isn’t the Dream Big Scholarship on my financial aid award letter?
- Your college may not list the Dream Big Scholarship on the financial aid award letter unless you have informed your college that you are receiving an outside grant. You can provide a copy of your Dream Big Scholarship approval letter to your college if necessary.
- You will still be able to receive the Dream Big Scholarship even if it is not listed on your financial aid award letter.
- Will the Dream Big Scholarship be renewed every year?
- Students must submit a new application for the Dream Big Scholarship each year.
- Students may renew the scholarship for up to four years at a four-year institution, two years at a two-year institution, or until receipt of first bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
- Will I receive the Dream Big Scholarship if I drop below full-time status for a term in college?
- You must remain enrolled full-time to receive the Dream Big Scholarship. If you are not enrolled full-time, then your college will return the Dream Big Scholarship funds to IKIC.
- What if I plan to attend an out-of-state college?
- The Dream Big Scholarship can be used at any accredited university, college, technical school, or post-secondary program in the United States.
- What if I transfer to a different college after my freshman year?
- The Dream Big Scholarship can be transferred to your new college, provided it is an accredited institution in the U.S. You must notify IKIC as soon as you decide to transfer and submit a financial aid award letter from your new college.
