The Complete Guide to GE Reagan Scholarship: Eligibility, Application Process & Success Tips
A comprehensive resource for high school seniors seeking the prestigious $40,000 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship
Introduction to the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship
People believe that the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program is one of the most serious and prestigious scholarships available to high school seniors across the United States. Indeed, that scholarship is for students who: There’s a legacy, the character of America’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan, and inspires students with a magnificent vision and extra special-leadership drive, integrity and best citizenship-the core principle that defined Reagan’s leadership.
Course of partnership between the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and GE (“General Electric”, now GE Aerospace) offers successful applicants an amount extending to $40,000 for an undergraduate education. Such resource means for young leaders also value much to see their educational dreams realized while following in President Reagan’s footsteps as an enduring ethos on leadership and service.
The program has disbursed more than $9 million to over 226 students from 42 states since it was established in 2011. The most able have attended more than 120 different undergraduate schools and colleges across the nation. Beyond money, the program creates a community for young leaders who think alike to make a difference in their lives.
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship opens doors for future leaders
Eligibility Requirements
These scholarships have stringent standards because these scholarships aim to find students who best reflect the values espoused by President Reagan. Hence, before applying, check whether you fall under all the criteria mentioned for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship program eligibility requirements.
All Candidates Must:
- Show leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship in their communities, schools, and workplaces.
- An expectation of going full-time into an undergraduate course of study during the entire upcoming academic school year at an accredited 4-year college or university in the U.S.
- Must be United States citizens
- Good academic performance must be demonstrated (a minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent)
- Applicant must be a senior student in an American high school (including territories and commonwealths) graduating in winter or spring of the application year, or a home-schooled student or one whose high school education is conducted on a U.S. Armed Forces base abroad.
Important Note on Eligibility:
In adMissions, merit is the prime basis. Regarding financial information in the application process: it’s merely one part of an evaluation process. All students, as part of the admissions announcement encourage all students to apply, no matter their financial situations.
Core Values of GE-Reagan Scholars
The selection criteria in essence would be the core values that the scholars should espouse so the GE-Reagan Foundation sees those as values that President Reagan consistently upheld throughout his career.
Success through leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship
Leadership
Such scholars epitomize the vision and destiny of President Reagan to lead and to serve. They:
- Provide for themselves in extracurricular being and co-curricular services.
- Seek leadership roles so that they can better the lives of others.
- Deeply value quality education and lifelong learning.
- Demonstrate initiative as well as imagination and innovation.
Drive
As President Reagan so easily argued, the scholars opt for an optimistic view of the future and travel the journey with determination toward success. They:
- Prove faith, energy, and bravery
- Approach an end with an “it can be done” spirit
- Overcomes the challenges of life without hindrance
- Shows unyielding discipline and work ethic.
Integrity
Scholars uphold their principles, values, and ethics. They:
- Possess self-confidence with a touch of humility
- Earn respect through integrity and reliability
- Treasure family, being extremely loyal to it
- Make sacrifices on behalf of others
Citizenship
They drive civic pride and commitment and lead them to activist communities. Scholars:
- Esteem freedom, equality, dignity-freed values by which our nation is defined
- Exemplify accountability and tolerance
- Believe in human potential
- Serve selflessly for the prosperity of others
- Exemplify patriotism and faith in American virtues.
Application Process
The application process for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship is lengthy and highly selective, aiming to discover truly exceptional students who embody the guiding principles of the program. With a clear understanding of the complete process, an applicant will be well-prepared to submit a competitive application.
Preparing a thoughtful application takes time and dedication
Initial Application Requirements
In the first phase of the application process, the following must be submitted:
- All basic info regarding you, your parent/guardian, your high school, your main college choice, and your financial situation
- Details regarding extracurricular activities in which you have participated
- Information regarding community service you have conducted
- Details about your paid work experience
- A leadership-and-Service essay
- Your statement of goals.
Semifinalist Requirements
That will mean if you are selected as a semifinalist, you will need to submit:
- High school transcripts
- One recommendation letter
- Financial documentation
- A statement on your values
Finalist Process
The finalists will participate in virtual interviews providing an opportunity to bring their application to life and demonstrate their personality, passion for the opportunity offered, and commitment to the values of President Reagan.
Application Tip:
Give yourself time and think through your application, especially your essays. This is the chance for you to express personal qualities tied to the scholarship such as leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. Provide people with examples from your life that illustrate these qualities in action.
Application Timeline
An understanding of the application timeline is important to plan and successfully submit an application. The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program is on a consistent annual schedule with specific deadlines that must be adhered to.
| Date | Milestone | Actions Required |
|---|---|---|
| October 15 | Application Opens | Start your application and begin gathering required information |
| January 3 (Noon PST) | Application Deadline | Complete and submit all initial application materials |
| By March 1 | Semifinalist Notification | All applicants are notified of their status via email |
| Mid-March | Semifinalist Submissions Due | Submit recommendation, transcript, financial documentation, and values statement |
| April | Finalist Interviews | Participate in virtual interviews |
| By April 30 | Recipient Notification | Winners are notified via email |
Important Deadline Notice:
All deadlines strictly apply. No late applications are accepted. Better submit your application well before the deadline to avert any technical glitches or last-minute problems that could arise.
Keep checking your email after submitting your application, including the spam folder, to catch any important communications.
Tips for a Successful Application
You are certified to provide information up until October 2023. An application like the one that requires insight and authenticity is one that requires love for detail. Here are some expert tips that will equip you to market yourself effectively.
Showcase Your Leadership Journey
The scholarship committee seeks students who have undoubtedly demonstrated real leadership, but not simply through acquiring titles. So when discussing your personal leadership experiences:
- The effect and result beyond the expected title.
- Challenges faced and how they were managed.
- How you have grown and learned from personal leadership.
- How you have inspired or motivated others, as well.
Demonstrate Your Core Values
This scholarship aims to identify students whose lives exemplify Reagan’s ideals. In this regard, please demonstrate with:
- Concrete examples of time when your integrity was put to the test
- Concrete examples of times when you have been persistent and determined
- Examples of your commitment to citizenship and community service
- A linking of your values to those of President Reagan
Craft Compelling Essays
It goes without saying that your essays are arguably the central element of your profile. Here are some ways to make the essays shine:
- Be authentic and tell your personal story.
- Rather than general statements, use specific examples with vivid detail.
- Outline your failures or challenges and what you learned from them.
- Have someone else read through your essays for clarity and impact.
- Integrate your experiences into your future objectives and aspirations.
GE-Reagan Scholars are positioned for academic and professional success
“I was so affirmed to find out that these people believed in me, that the scholarship committee believed I had what it took to step up and make a difference in the world.”
— Sophia Weber, 2024 GE-Reagan Scholarship Recipient
Expert Advice:
The scholarship program offers a three-part video series with advice from past recipients and program insiders. These videos provide valuable insights into crafting a successful application. You can find these resources on the official GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship website.
Success Stories from Recipients
Such extraordinary achievements have brought GE-Reagan Foundation Scholars within the ambit of awesomeness in a variety of both academic and professional areas. Their stories are a testament to the life-changing impact that this scholarship program has at times.
GE-Reagan Scholars celebrate their achievements and prepare for future leadership roles
Tayleur Baker – Wyoming
“This scholarship has opened doors I never thought possible.”
Out of Burns, Wyoming, Tayleur is recognized for outstanding leadership in her community. Among the different areas where she has spearheaded initiatives to support poor youths is in providing organized volunteer programs, which are highly felt in her rural community. To her, transforming the world is possible for everyone, and she continues to show it through her high academic performance and continuous involvement in community activities.
Harvest Aquino – Texas
“The GE-Reagan Scholarship connected me with other like-minded leaders across the country.”
Harvest, from Frisco, Texas, is studying at the University of Rochester to pursue scientific research and community education, a passion of hers. She developed a mentorship program that connected high school students with professionals in science before she could receive the scholarship, showing her commitment to leadership as well as academic excellence.
Miran Bhima – North Carolina
“This scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies and community work without financial burden.”
Miran, a native from Charlotte in North Carolina, is currently studying public policy and economics at Duke University. He impressed the scholarship committee with his zeal for tackling income inequality in the community through innovative young entrepreneurship. The award helps him continue much-needed community work at the same time as excelling in his academics.
Elianna Huang – Recent Recipient
“Out of 16,000 applicants, 10 of us across the country were chosen to embody the character of President Ronald Reagan.”
Among thousands of applicants, Elianna is one out of a handful fortunate ones who were selected in the last cycle of selection. Her experience proves the highly competitive nature of the relationship and the high caliber of students who are attracted to it. During the scholarship retreat week, Elianna was able to network with other recipients and carve out space for herself in a network of future leaders committed to positive change.
Statistics and Impact
Nationally, the scholarship has transformed accessibility to higher education for outstanding student leaders. That said, let’s take a look at some of the ways in which the program has reached across the United States to leave its mark:
Program Impact
$9.02M
Total Scholarship Dollars Awarded
226+
Total Scholarship Recipients
42
States Represented
120+
Undergraduate Institutions
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship makes significant investments in future leaders
Selection Process Statistics
Not always consistent due to the variability between years, but very competitive is the acceptance for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship.
- Approximately 16,000 applicants in recent years
- Ranging from 100 to 200 semifinalists annually
- Usually about 10 to 20 recipients large
- It altogether aggregates as an acceptance rate which is less than 0.1%.
Although the competition is extremely tough, students from different backgrounds and geographies have gained their fortunes under this renowned scholarship. It only pursues extraordinary potential in leadership beyond the reach of socioeconomic distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship worth?
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship provides each recipient with a $10,000 grant each year. This grant may be replenished for up to three more years for a cumulative possible award of $40,000 per student. The money earned may be spent on tuition, room, and board while the award recipient pursues a bachelor’s degree.
How many applicants are selected as semifinalists and finalists?
Generally, approximately 120 semifinalists will be selected from among all eligible applicants. From those semifinalists, about 10 to 20 students are actually selected each year to be scholarship recipients. Exact numbers may vary from one year to another based on the applicant pool and funding availability.
Does my family income affect my eligibility for the scholarship?
Admission consideration is entirely for merit. Yes, financial details asked in the semifinalist application process are only a part of the bigger evaluation: eligible students, basically invite applications, whatever be their finance. Though, interestingly, some say in Reddit that very high-income families are probably going to be looking at added scrutiny in their final selection.
Can international students apply for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship?
To be eligible for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship, applicants must be U.S. citizens. This designation includes students in U.S. territories and commonwealths as well as students attending U.S. Armed Forces bases overseas but excludes international students pursuing education in the U.S. on visas.
What kind of colleges can I attend with this scholarship?
Generally, the recipients must plan on entering a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited 4-year college or university within the United States. These scholarships may not be used for community colleges or technical schools. However, quite a few of our past recipients later went on to attend prestigious institutions such as Ivy League universities.
Who reviews applications and makes selection decisions?
Scholarship Management Services will do the first application review. This will be followed by a selection process done by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in concert with representatives from GE Aerospace, especially during the final interviews of the candidates.
Important Notes and Warnings
Application Deadline Warning:
The deadline date (normally January 3, noon PST) is firmly upheld, and no late submissions are considered under any conditions. Technical issues cannot be considered as a reason for extension; therefore, do yourself a great favor and try to complete and submit your application at least a few days before the deadline.
Email Communication Alert:
All communications concerning the status of your application will be sent through email. Please ensure that you check your email regularly, including the spam and junk folders, so that you do not miss any important notifications, such as those regarding semifinalist status or additional requirements.
Semifinalist Documentation Requirements:
In case you are selected as a semifinalist, you will have to submit additional documentation, including financial information, within rather a shorter time (generally by mid-March). Prepare yourself in advance with the necessary documents so that you can furnish these promptly.
Scholarship Renewal Conditions:
While a scholarship may be renewed for three additional years, bringing the total renewal time period to four years, it should not be renewed unless the student maintains satisfactory academic performance while enrolled full-time in the program and adheres to its principles. Students who do not comply may lose future funding.
Additional Resources
Exploring these valuable resources assists in obtaining further knowledge about the GE-Reagan Scholarship and preparing deserving and commendable applications:
Conclusion
One of the most coveted, extensive scholarship opportunities available to deserving high school seniors is the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship. In honoring the legacy of President Ronald Reagan, this program focuses on identifying and nurturing future generations of American leaders who will mold their lives around the principles of leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.
In pursuit of this goal, and while the application process is rigorous and competitive, the benefits are so much more than financial assistance. The scholars build a rare camaraderie, forging a network of individuals giving back positively to their communities and to society.
If this describes you, and if you somehow embrace the values espoused by President Reagan and have shown extraordinary leadership potential, I would strongly encourage you to apply. Prepare well-provide your application ahead of time-and be yourself throughout the process.
The journey begins with your application – take the first step toward joining the prestigious community of GE-Reagan Scholars
Final Advice:
This scholarship aims to recognize not only the accomplished students, but also those students who can genuinely lead people and inspire them towards a better society. So, write about your special leadership experience, community involvement in a positive light, and the intent behind your vision of creating a better world.
Last updated: May 2025.
