Hearthstone Housing Foundation

Scholarship Sponsored by Hearthstone Housing Foundation

Please review this information thoroughly and gather all required documents before beginning your application on the Kaleidoscope portal. Additional documentation may be requested to verify eligibility. Eligibility - Be from a low-income household or otherwise demonstrate financial need (HUD income limits apply; see current limits via HUD). - Be between 15 and 25 years old as of March 31, 2026. - Live in either: - a Hearthstone Housing Foundation property, or - a county that contains a Hearthstone Housing Foundation property. - Be enrolled for the 2026–27 academic year as one of the following: - a full-time high school student seeking assistance for college-prep classes, college application fees, or other academically enriching activities, or - a full-time undergraduate student at a U.S. college, university, or vocational school. (Funds may not be used for graduate programs or for study abroad.) - Maintain the required GPA: at least 3.0 for current high school students, or at least 2.75 for current college students. - Be available for a brief phone interview in May or June 2026. Required Application Materials Official Transcript - You must provide an official transcript (unofficial copies are not accepted). - The transcript should cover the equivalent of three semesters. If you have attended multiple institutions, you may submit multiple transcripts (for example, college freshmen should also include their high school transcript). - Electronic submission: If your school can send an official transcript electronically, request that the official link be delivered by March 31, 2026 to scholarship@hearthstonehousing.org. Only official transcript links from recognized services (for example, Parchment Exchange, eSCRIP-SAFE, Student Clearinghouse, etc.) will be accepted. We cannot accept scanned or emailed copies of transcripts sent by applicants. - Mail submission: A sealed official transcript may be mailed and must be postmarked by March 31, 2026 to: Hearthstone Housing Foundation Attn: Scholarship Committee 1401 Dove St, Suite 620 Newport Beach, CA 92660 - Your application will remain incomplete until your official transcript is received. Household Tax Return - To confirm financial eligibility, submit a copy of your household’s 2024 federal income tax return(s) (IRS Form 1040). You may redact Social Security numbers and other sensitive information before submitting. - If your household did not file a 2024 federal tax return, call 949-553-9447 x204 to discuss acceptable alternative documentation. Extracurricular Activities - Report your most recent extracurricular involvement. The application includes space for the following categories: - Volunteer work - Internship or work experience - Clubs or sports - Other campus involvement - Leadership positions - Awards or recognition - Instead of using the form fields, you may upload a resume or a separate list of activities. - Optional: You may upload additional supporting materials to expand on your activities or provide anything else you think is relevant. Personal Statement - Submit a one-page personal statement (single-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman) with your name in the top right corner. Failure to follow formatting may result in disqualification. - The statement should give the committee insight into the experiences that have shaped you and describe your academic and career goals. It must address: - Your goals (personal, academic, and/or professional) - Your plan for achieving those goals - How you would use scholarship funds from the Hearthstone Housing Foundation - Steps you have already taken toward your goals (for example, relevant extracurricular activities) - The committee will evaluate content and writing quality, and will consider evidence of community-mindedness, persistence/overcoming obstacles, initiative/leadership, and financial need. - Renewal applicants: You must submit a new personal statement that reflects your growth and experiences since your prior application. Reusing last year’s statement will lead to automatic disqualification. Letters of Recommendation - Two letters of recommendation are required from professional or academic references (examples: teachers, employers, coaches, club advisors). - Each letter must: - Be no longer than one page - Be signed by the recommender - Be dated after March 31, 2025 - Be on official letterhead or include verifiable contact information for the recommender - Submission options: You can either upload the letters yourself or send an email invitation that allows your recommenders to upload letters directly. - Renewal applicants: New letters from different recommenders are required. Re-submitting previous letters will result in automatic disqualification. Important Deadlines and Contacts - Transcript (electronic link or mailed sealed copy) must be submitted or postmarked by March 31, 2026. - Personal availability: phone interviews will occur in May or June 2026. - For transcript questions, official delivery, or alternative tax documentation, contact the Hearthstone Housing Foundation at scholarship@hearthstonehousing.org or call 949-553-9447 x204. Note: Following these instructions carefully will help avoid delays or disqualification. Additional documents may be requested as part of the eligibility verification process.