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 obtain a quality, post-secondary college education. Through an anonymous donation, the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas (MFA) established The Hope Scholarship that will benefit low-income undergraduate students in Arkansas. Subsequent to the initial awards, the MFA board generously agreed to raise funds to permanently endow the scholarship, which became permanently endowed in January 2026. 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 applicant:

• Must be attending an Arkansas four year college or university
• Has completed their freshman year
• Has a minimum GPA of 3.2

While the application review team takes a holistic approach to determining recipients, increased consideration will be given to applicants with a demonstrated financial need. This approach aligns with the desire of the donors.

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 invited to an in-person interview to determine the scholarship recipients. Selections will be made by July 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their status within two weeks of committee decisions. 

Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in two equal payments in August 2026 and January 2027. 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 their records. 

Amount

Awards are given to qualified students based on need. The number of awards given will be based on the number of qualified students selected and the needs of each student.

Deadline

The online application portal will open from May 11, 2026 – June 11, 2026.

Applicant Requirements

• A completed scholarship application
• An official college transcript (PDF)
• A resume (PDF)
• The most recent FAFSA Submission Summary from Federal Student Aid
• Three, type-written letters 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
• 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: What does hope mean to you? Describe a moment, experience, or person that taught you the importance of hope. How has that experience shaped your outlook on life and your goals for the future?

Renewal Process

This scholarship is renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of two years. In order to be eligble for renewal, the scholarship recipient must submit a two page, single-spaced written essay that includes a update on progress towards graduation and how this scholarship is making a positive difference at the end of each academic year.

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.