Hope Forward

Apply to Hope Forward 

What is Hope Forward?

Thirty students with big hearts, open minds, and a God-given passion to bring Hope to the world will: 

• Receive a Hope College education with tuition fully-funded by the generous gifts of others
• Participate in the Hope Forward cohort — to prepare themselves and other Hope Forward students to pursue lives of impact in the world
• As alumni, Hope Forward graduates will commit to paying it forward — donating to Hope College so that future students can have the same transformational experience

How To Apply

There are two ways to apply to be part of the Hope Forward cohort: 

1. With your Hope College application

   • The opportunity to apply to Hope Forward is available within the Hope College application on the Common App, the Hope College App, and the Scoir App.

2. After submitting your Hope College application

   • You can apply for Hope Forward separately from your Hope College application.

   • In order to do so, you’ll apply using our application submission form.

The application includes providing:

• An essay in response to the Hope Forward application prompt

• Contact information for a non-relative reference

  • This is someone that can speak to your passion to spread hope to the world.

  • If you are invited to interview, we will reach out to your recommender at that time.

Students must have a 3.0 or higher to be considered for Hope Forward.

Program Details

THE BIG IDEA

College has gotten too expensive. Hope College is doing something about it.

Our long-term ambition is that every single student who comes through Hope receives tuition fully-funded up front. Graduates will then pay it forward: commit to donating to Hope College so future students can have the same transformational experience.

This is an entirely new way of thinking about funding college.

It transforms:

• Your college education into preparation to pursue impact, not income to pay off student debt
• Your college experience into a relationship based on gratitude and generosity, not a transaction between an organization and its customers
• Your college costs from bill-paying into generous giving

TIMELINE

• August 1: Hope Forward Application goes live 
• December 15: Hope Forward Application deadline
• Mid January: First Round Decision Notification

Applicants who move forward from the first round will be invited to interview, either in person or online.

EXPECTATIONS

Students can expect to commit 5–10 hours a month to the Hope Forward Program, with programming spanning the duration of a student's college experience. Students are also highly encouraged to complete one semester of off-campus study.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Some highlights of the Hope Forward program include dinner with the president, off-campus retreats, the development of a portfolio, mentorship and active participation in campus-wide traditions like One Big Weekend, Time to Serve and Day of Giving.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Participation in the Hope Forward Program does not inhibit participation in other programs (Phelps Scholars, Day 1 Watershed, athletics, dance, etc… ).
• The Hope Forward Program is not a living-learning community. Students may live in any residential housing unit of their choice/assignment.
• We hope students graduate from the program with a commitment to:
  • Be a lifelong learner active in their communities
  • Engage with areas of hopelessness out of a personal hope and abundance
  • Generously give to create positive impact locally, globally and at Hope College

Learn more about the Hope Forward student experience 

Questions?

Laura Zavala

Assistant Director of Enrollment Management

Laura Zavala is the Hope Forward project manager, serving the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid.