Student Scholarship Program:
For the 2023-24 school year, Eligibility Applications for student scholarships are open from 8:00 a.m. CDT Monday, October 9, 2023 to 5:00 p.m. CDT Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Those who submit completed applications are eligible for the Scholarship Application, open from 8:00 a.m. CST Wednesday, November 22, 2023 to 5:00 p.m. CST Friday, December 15, 2023.
Counselors will confirm each student’s academic data before applications go through a blind review and scoring, made possible by ISF volunteers. Donors and designated sponsors then review applications, scores, academic data, and essays before selecting recipients, who are confirmed by ISF and announced just after Spring Break. Recipients are awarded and celebrated May 1, 2024 with their donors, educators, and the community at Breakfast with the Stars, an Irving Schools Foundation signature event.
ISF scholarships are first-dollar scholarships, awarded earlier than last-dollar coverage, and are intended to cover tuition before other aid is factored in. It is the scholar’s responsibility to declare the scholarship, direct payment to the school’s business office, and maintain compliance with programs such as FAFSA, Dallas County Promise, etc.
Scholars may receive up to three scholarships and have 18 months to claim all of their scholarship funds, unless a deferral for special circumstances is requested and approved each semester. It is the scholar’s responsibility to request and maintain documentation of deferral and claim requests and disbursements. The only exceptions to this policy are scholarships contracted to award in semester or annual installments. Some ISF scholarships cover tuition only, while others allow for tuition and additional approved educational expenses such as textbooks, meals & housing, course supplies, etc. Funds are disbursed to the scholar’s school, regardless of expense type, and reimbursements are not made for personal payments. Unclaimed/expired funds are returned to the foundation.
Scholarships are created in honor or memory of individuals with strong ties to Irving ISD or via sponsorships from business and/or community organizations. The awards help fund educational pursuits at colleges, universities, trade and vocational schools, and other institutions of higher learning. Criteria for consideration usually center around career pursuits, academic or extracurricular achievement, community service, or aspirations to study in a particular field. Each scholarship is unique. There are no seniors in Irving ISD who do not qualify for ISF scholarships.
Scholarships can be funded/awarded annually or set up as endowments, awarded in perpetuity. Beginning January 1, 2024, the minimum amount for endowment status is $50,000. Scholarships can be created as standard agreements and are allowed five years to reach endowment status. All scholarship agreements signed by both parties before January 1, 2024 are grandfathered in to the former endowment minimum of $20,000.00.
Scholarship applications are submitted by students and confirmed by the assigned counselors before going through a blind review process. Blind Reviewers are volunteers who review and score each application. To be a Blind Reviewer, a volunteer must be over 21 years of age, not related to a current scholarship applicant, and adhere to strict non-disclosure and privacy policies. Once scored, applications go through a Sponsor Review, where donors or assigned Sponsors review the applications and rank their top candidates. Irving Schools Foundation then confirms the recipients before announcements are made. After this, it’s all about celebrating the scholars, their donors, and the supporting community at the annual Breakfast with the Stars award event.
SchoolWorks $30,000 Scholarship for 8th Graders
This scholarship is funded by an anonymous donor and awarded annually to one or more 8th grade students. Each 8th grade counselor nominates two students to apply. A review committee may select one or more recipients, based on application review and scoring, to receive all or a portion of the scholarship funds.
Students who receive this scholarship must graduate high school in Irving ISD.
The announcement is made by surprise visit to each recipient’s school before the end of their 8th grade year. Then, four years later, SchoolWorks Scholarship recipients walk the stage as seniors and are awarded at Breakfast with the Stars.
Classroom Teacher, Staff, and Librarian Scholarships:
These scholarships are awarded to Irving ISD employees who plan to pursue continuing education to further skills in their respective professions. Applications open here on January 1-31, 2024. Recipients will be publicly announced at Breakfast with the Stars on May 1, 2024.
To be eligible, the applicant must be currently employed full-time by the Irving Independent School District, having worked a minimum of three complete years at the time of application and be a permanent full-time employee for the District. The employee must also meet these requirements:
- Documented participation in School and Community Organizations and Activities
- Proven Leadership Abilities
- Participation in Department’s Activities
Application requirements include details of education and career pursuits and letters of reference from two people who represent different sources and are not related to applicant.
Since 1987, Irving Schools Foundation has awarded more than $8,127,430 in college and continuing education scholarships to Irving ISD seniors and district employees! In fact, the ISF Scholarship Program is at the heart of our work to elevate Irving ISD students and teachers, along with signature ISF programs like Food for Thought and Spark Tank.
The immediate and long-term benefit of the ISF scholarship program is remarkable—many students who have won scholarships have gone on to impressive academic and professional careers; indeed, it’s safe to say that scores of future leaders in the areas of business, health care, technology, civics, and the arts are among our awardees each year. In many cases, the students selected for awards are the first in their families to attend college, and a high percentage of awardees come from significantly disadvantaged backgrounds.
To give you an idea of the annual impact of our scholarship program: In 2023 alone, we awarded more than 250 scholarships totaling approximately $467,000 to students at all five Irving ISD high schools and Irving ISD staff seeking to further their education and training.
important dates 2024
Part 1: Eligibility Application Open to All Seniors
Open 8:00 a.m. CDT October 9, 2023
Close 5:00 p.m. CDT October 31, 2023
Part 2: Scholarship Application for Eligible Seniors Only
Open 8:00 a.m. CST November 22, 2023
Close 5:00 p.m. CST December 15, 2023
EVERY senior in Irving ISD is qualified for ISF scholarships.
Eligibility applications must be completed to submit Scholarship Applications.
NO EXCEPTIONS to times, dates, or deadlines.
More Information Here
how to apply for scholarships
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Click here to access the Irving Schools Foundation student scholarship portal.
Eligibility Applications are due before 5:00 p.m. CDT Tuesday, October 31, 2023 and Scholarship Applications from Eligible seniors must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. CST Friday, December 15, 2023.
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Click here to apply for an Irving ISD staff scholarship (beginning in early 2024).