Hope Scholarship - Info Page

Purpose

The Oscar Washington, Jr. Educational Fund (OWJEF) is excited to announce a partnership that will further fuel our mission to help Arkansas youth get a quality, post-high school education. The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas (MFA), through an anonymous donor, established The Hope Scholarship which will benefit low-income undergraduate students in Arkansas. Subsequent to the initial awards, the MFA board generously agreed to raised funds to permanently endow the Scholarship. As of January 2026, the scholarship is permanently endowed.

The Hope Scholarship, while administered through OWJEF, will be offered as an independent award. 

Qualifications

In order to be eligible to receive this scholarship, the student must be a freshman attenting a four-year accredited college or university located in Arkansas with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Consideration will be primarily given to students with demonstrated financial need. 

Guidelines

All applications will go through a blind review process by a scholarship review committee. The review committee will recommend finalists to the executive team, and those finalists will be interviewed (in-person or via video conference) to determine the scholarship recipients. All applicants will be notified of their status by early February 2027.

Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in two equal payments in August and January. Cashier’s checks are made payable to the school and are sent directly to the student’s financial aid office. A copy of the cashier’s check and a cover letter will be sent to the student for proof.

Amount

The individual award minumum is $5,000. The number of awards given will be based on the number of qualified students selected and the need of each student.

Deadline

The online application portal will open from December 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027.

Renewal Process

If scholarship criteria are met, this scholarship is renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of three years.

Applicant Requirements

• A completed scholarship application
• An official college school transcript (PDF)
• A resume (PDF)
• A completed Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA
• Three, type-written letter of recommendation (from any of the following: teacher, principal, school counselor, community worker, church volunteer, or employer) that includes the following information (PDF):
  • Applicant’s name
  • Relationship to the student
  • Signature
  • Printed name
  • Contact number
• 300-500 word written essay on one of the following prompts:
  • Prompt 1: The world is rapidly changing with new challenges and opportunities. Imagine it’s 2035—how are you using your degree, skills, and voice to make your community or the world a better place?
  • Prompt 2: Think of a moment that shaped how you view learning—inside or outside the classroom. How has that moment influenced your educational journey, and how will it guide the way you give back to others?
  • Prompt 3: Write a letter to your future self, 10 years from now. Describe the challenges you hope you’ve overcome, the values you want to live by, and the impact you want your education to help you make.

Annual Awards Ceremony

All selected scholarship recipients are required to attend the OWJEF Annual Awards Ceremony. The date will be available online several months prior to the scholarship application deadline. Those who cannot attend are not eligible for the scholarship, except in cases of emergencies.

Additional Requirements

• Must submit written updates each semester on progress towards graduation
• Must submit a written essay on how this scholarship is making a positive difference in their life by the end of their sophomore year and the end of their senior year

THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE.