Hope Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Bank of Hope
Introduction
Bank of Hope is committed to advancing education in the communities we serve. Through the Hope Scholarship Foundation, we have awarded millions in scholarships. The 2026 Hope Scholarship is intended to provide a meaningful boost to selected students as they pursue their educational goals.
Award
- Amount: $2,500 per recipient.
- Each student may receive only one award. Awards are for the student named on the application; they do not cover spouses or dependents and are non-transferable. The award will be paid to the recipient’s college or university on the student’s behalf by paper check or wire transfer.
Application Deadline
- Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
How to Apply
- Click the APPLY NOW button when you are ready to submit. The online submission is final — you will not be able to return to edit or save changes once submitted. Gather all required documents before beginning the application.
Required Supporting Documents
Have these items ready to upload or arrange before you start your application:
1. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 2025 Income Tax Return (Form 1040)
- The applicant must be listed as a dependent on the Form 1040. The Foundation will use the submitted form to verify Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
2. Recommendation Letter
- The recommender must send the letter directly to hope_scholarship@bankofhope.com.
- The email subject must clearly identify the student as: Scholarship_Student's First & Last Name (example: "Scholarship_John Doe").
3. Transcript
- Attach the most recent transcript (official or unofficial) from your school as a PDF.
- If you have a GED, upload your GED transcript/certification under the “Transcripts” attachment section.
4. Essay
- Submit your essay as a PDF file (see Essay Guidelines below).
Essay Guidelines
- Choose one topic and write roughly 500 words. Prepare the essay before starting the application, since you cannot edit the submission after it begins. Essays are judged on relevance to the chosen prompt, clarity, grammar, and spelling.
Topic 1: Describe a significant personal hardship or catastrophic life event you have faced. Explain how you coped with and overcame the challenge, what you learned, and how you grew from the experience.
Topic 2: Describe examples of leadership in your life and the impact your leadership had on yourself and others.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications that do not meet all requirements will be disqualified. Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or legal permanent resident. Citizens of the Freely Associated States are eligible to apply.
- Be a graduating high school senior in 2026 and planning to enroll as an incoming freshman at a two-year or four-year accredited institution.
- Have at least a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, or possess a GED.
- Demonstrate financial need and meet the program’s income eligibility restrictions. See the Bank of Hope Scholarship Income Restriction for details.
Residency Requirement
Applicants must currently reside 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)
Additional Notes
- Awards are intended for educational expenses and will be issued to the institution on behalf of the student.
- Ensure all documents conform to the specified formats (PDF for transcripts and essay) before submission.
- If you have questions about income eligibility, refer to the Bank of Hope Scholarship Income Restriction guidance or contact the Foundation for clarification.