<p> New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness</p><p>HOPE STARTS HERE Scholarship Announcement for Homeless/Formerly Homeless Students </p><p>The Hope Starts Here scholarship fund was established to award scholarships to students currently living in New Hampshire who have experienced homelessness during their school career, desire to continue their education beyond high school, and have demonstrated academic achievement. </p><p>A committee representing educators, homeless providers and outreach workers, and other service agency providers will review the applications and make recommendations to the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness (NHCEH) Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will make the final selection and notify the recipient(s) of the award. </p><p>Depending on available funding, it is anticipated that there will be a minimum of one to three scholarships awarded in amounts of $500.00 to $1,000.00 The scholarship is a one-time award.</p><p>How may the NHCEH Hope Starts Here scholarship funds be used? Upon submission of evidence that you have or are enrolled in a post secondary program, the scholarship will be provided and may be used to help defray the costs of college or post secondary vocational training program tuition, fees, books, prep courses, or other educational expenses.</p><p>Who is eligible for the scholarship? The scholarship funds are available to students who are homeless or have been homeless at any time during their school attendance and who have demonstrated average or above average achievement.</p><p>According to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, a person is considered homeless who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.” This includes people living in shelters, cars, motels/hotels, campgrounds, or places not meant for human habitation. The definition includes children and youth who are living with friends or relatives temporarily (doubled-up or sharing the housing of others) because they lack permanent housing.</p><p>Students who will have not reached their 21st birthday by September 30, 2011 and who have completed no more than one year of college or post secondary training are eligible to apply. Applicants may be current college students, high school seniors, students enrolled in a GED or alternative education program, recent graduates, or GED recipients. If you are in high school and not yet enrolled in a post secondary program you are still eligible to apply, and if selected, the NHCEH will hold your scholarship pending your enrollment in a post secondary program.</p><p>Questions? Contact Kyle Beaulieu, Families in Transition at 603-641-9441 X 259 or email at [email protected]</p><p>New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness 2011 Hope Starts Here Scholarship</p>