The Hagan Scholarship is a top need-based merit award that can provide up to $60,000 to qualifying students, helping them graduate college debt-free. Read this guide for clear information on eligibility, benefits, and how to check your high school graduation eligibility for the 2026–2027 application cycle.
What is the Hagan Scholarship?
The Hagan Scholarship, run by the Hagan Scholarship Foundation (HSF), is a national need‑based merit scholarship program that helps high‑achieving high school seniors from small schools and rural counties finance a four‑year college education. The program evaluates both academic achievement and demonstrated financial need to select recipients who are likely to graduate without student debt.
Founded to expand access to four‑year college for students in underserved communities, HSF has supported thousands of scholars across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Recipients have gone on to attend colleges and universities nationwide, reflecting the scholarship’s broad reach and impact for students at graduation and beyond.
Hagan Scholarship Benefits: More Than Just Tuition
The Hagan Scholarship is a holistic award that covers direct college costs and provides extra resources to help recipients thrive. The total package can reach $60,000 over a four‑year degree, making it one of the most substantial undergraduate merit and need‑based awards available.
Financial Support
Recipients typically receive up to $7,500 per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters (totaling up to $60,000). Funds are applied to tuition and institutional charges through the scholarship foundation’s payment processes; scholars also receive a one‑time $2,000 stipend for essentials like a laptop, books, and supplies. Example: at many public colleges, a $7,500 semester award can cover the majority of tuition and fees, while the stipend helps students buy required technology and course materials.
Investment and Financial Literacy
HSF provides a Schwab brokerage account for each scholar to encourage early investing and financial planning; the account is seeded by the foundation (amounts reported vary—confirm current funding levels). Beyond the account, the program teaches important life skills and financial literacy so students understand budgeting, saving, and basic investing—practical skills typically not covered in the school curriculum.
Study Abroad Opportunities
The scholarship provides funding to support study or travel abroad (up to specified limits, often reported around $8,000). To date, Hagan Scholars have taken part in programs across dozens of countries, expanding their academic and cultural perspectives at no additional cost to the student beyond the overall award.
Life Skills Workshops
The foundation runs free workshops focused on career readiness and practical life skills—budgeting, networking, résumé building, and professional development—that complement the academic curriculum. These sessions give scholars tools and confidence to succeed during semesters in college and after graduation.
Hagan Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Understanding eligibility early saves time—this section summarizes who the Hagan Scholarship is designed to help and the checks you must pass to be considered.
High School Requirements
You must attend and graduate from an eligible public high school in the United States; eligible schools include public, charter, magnet, and STEM public high schools. The program focuses on students from smaller high schools (typically graduating classes under 100) or public high schools located in rural counties (population under 50,000). Over 6,000 public high schools meet HSF’s qualifying criteria—check the HSF eligible‑schools list to confirm your school.
Academic Standards
HSF looks for high‑achieving students. While specific cutoffs can vary, scholars are expected to maintain strong grades in college: at least a 3.25 GPA each semester and roughly a 3.50 cumulative GPA after the first semester (many recipients aim to maintain a 3.5+ cumulative GPA across their degree). These academic standards help ensure continued funding throughout semesters in college.
Financial Need
The Hagan Scholarship is a need‑based merit award, so household income is a key factor. For the 2026–2027 cycle, guidance has cited parental Adjusted Gross Income ranges (commonly reported between $100,000 and $125,000), but thresholds can vary by year—confirm the exact AGI year and limits on the HSF website. FAFSA is not required for the initial application, but finalists will need to provide FAFSA documentation and tax forms for income verification.
Enrollment Requirements
Recipients must enroll at an accredited four‑year college or university the first semester after high school graduation; the scholarship cannot be deferred. In short: you must plan to begin college immediately following school graduation and must enroll full‑time at a four‑year college university to receive funds.
Work Requirement
Before starting college, awardees must complete 240 hours of paid, supervised work between January 1 and September 1 prior to matriculation. This requirement teaches work habits and responsibility—plan summer employment or consistent part‑time work that meets the foundation’s guidelines.
Additional Requirements
Non‑U.S. citizens must demonstrate English fluency. All applicants should apply for available federal and state grants when eligible to maximize aid. If your parents’ AGI was, for example, $110,000 in the referenced tax year, you should still check HSF’s current income bands—eligibility can vary by cycle.
How to Apply for the Hagan Scholarship
The Hagan Scholarship application is straightforward but requires careful planning: confirm eligibility early, gather documents, and submit by the deadline to be considered for the upcoming fall semester.
Application Timeline
Deadlines are typically December 1 for the following academic year. For example, students with a spring 2026 high school graduation should plan to submit by December 1, 2025 for the 2026–2027 cycle. Check the HSF site each year for exact dates.
What to Prepare
Before you start, assemble transcripts, a list of extracurriculars and leadership roles, a short goals statement, your family’s 2024 tax information or AGI for income verification, and contact info for any recommenders. While FAFSA is not required for the initial application, finalists must submit FAFSA documentation and tax forms.
Application Steps
- Verify eligibility: Confirm your high school appears on the HSF eligible‑schools list at www.hsfmo.org before investing time in the application.
- Create an account: Register on the HSF application portal to begin and save progress.
- Complete the application: Fill in academic details, extracurriculars, work history, and the goals statement; allow 2–4 hours to draft and edit answers.
- Submit documentation: Upload transcripts and income verification by the deadline; letters of recommendation or counselor verification may be requested—confirm current requirements on HSF.
- Monitor status: Check your email and the portal for updates and finalist requests (respond quickly if asked for FAFSA or additional documents).
Contact Information
If you have questions about the application or eligibility, contact the Hagan Scholarship Foundation:
- Email: scholarships@hsfmo.org
- Website: www.hsfmo.org
- Address: PO Box 1225, Columbia, MO 65205
Hagan Graduate and International Scholarships
The Hagan Scholarship Foundation extends support beyond undergraduate study with targeted graduate awards for qualifying alumni and a separate international graduate program for non‑U.S. citizens.
Hagan Graduate Scholarships
Hagan Scholars who graduate while in the program may qualify for Hagan Graduate Scholarships to pursue advanced study. These awards typically provide up to $7,500 per semester for up to four additional semesters to support graduate or the first two years of professional programs (for example, law or medical school). To be eligible, scholars normally must have maintained academic standards as undergraduates and meet application deadlines and documentation requirements set by the scholarship foundation.
Hagan International Graduate Scholarships
The Hagan International Graduate Scholarship supports international students seeking graduate study at a U.S. college or university. Applicants generally must be non‑U.S. citizens, be under age 24 at the submission deadline, and have an acceptance letter for the upcoming fall semester. The award can total up to about $30,000 over four consecutive semesters and often includes access to the foundation’s life skills workshops. Confirm current amounts, consecutive‑semester rules, and application procedures with HSF before applying.
Hagan Scholarship Statistics and Impact
The Hagan Scholarship Foundation has helped many students nationwide; below are commonly reported impact figures—verify the latest numbers on the HSF site for current information.
- Applications received: Over 1,150 annually (typical volume).
- Total awarded: More than $3.5 million distributed to roughly 411 recipients in recent reporting periods—confirm whether this figure is annual or cumulative on HSF.
- Geographic reach: Scholars represent dozens of states and attend hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S.
- International experience: Hagan Scholars have studied abroad in many countries, expanding global learning opportunities.
Tips for a Successful Hagan Scholarship Application
Maximize your chances with a focused plan—below are practical, actionable steps and short examples to help you submit a competitive application.
Start Early: Gather transcripts, tax documentation, and a draft goals statement at least 2–3 months before the December deadline so you have time to revise. Example: request your final transcript in October to avoid last-minute delays.
Verify Eligibility: Confirm your high school is on the HSF eligible‑schools list before you begin. If your school qualifies, proceed; if not, consider other scholarship awards for rural students or small school applicants.
Demonstrate Financial Need: Be accurate and complete when documenting household income and financial circumstances. Tip: have a parent’s 2024 tax return or AGI on hand—finalists will need FAFSA and tax documentation to verify income.
Highlight Your Goals: Write a concise goals statement that links your academic plans to community impact. Example line: “I plan to study environmental science at a four‑year college and return skills to my rural community to improve water resources.”
Show Leadership and Work Experience: Include clear examples of leadership, community involvement, and paid work to satisfy the 240‑hour requirement and show responsibility. Example: “Captain of FFA, part‑time farm assistant, volunteer tutor — 200+ combined hours.”
Prepare for Life Skills & Career Development: Emphasize experiences that show you’ll benefit from life skills workshops. The foundation teaches important life skills typically not covered in school—budgeting, résumé writing, networking, and basic investing—so note any prior experience or eagerness to learn.
Maintain Strong Academics: Keep a competitive GPA and a rigorous course load; academic performance is essential for initial selection and continued award eligibility during semesters in college.
Bonus CTA: Create a one‑page checklist (transcripts, tax forms, goals statement, recommenders, work hours) and set internal deadlines to complete each item well before the portal closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I attend a private high school?
No. The Hagan Scholarship is limited to students who graduate from eligible public schools (this includes public charter, magnet, and STEM public schools). If you attend a private school, check other scholarships for rural students or small‑school applicants.
Is FAFSA required to apply?
FAFSA is not required for the initial application. However, if you become a finalist, you will be asked to submit FAFSA documentation and tax forms for income verification—have those documents ready to avoid delays.
Can I defer the scholarship?
No. Recipients must enroll at an accredited four‑year college the first semester after high school graduation—deferral is generally not allowed. If you anticipate special circumstances (medical, military service), contact HSF for current policy details before applying.
What happens if my GPA drops below the requirement?
Scholars are expected to maintain at least a 3.25 GPA each semester and roughly a 3.50 cumulative GPA after the first semester. Falling below these standards can put your funding at risk; HSF may provide guidance or probation in limited cases—check official policy for details.
Do I need recommendation letters or essays?
The application typically asks for a goals statement and may request counselor verification or recommendations—requirements can change, so confirm current application components on the HSF website. Draft your essays early and ask recommenders well before the deadline.
If I’m selected, what should I expect next?
Finalists typically undergo verification of documents (FAFSA/tax records) and are notified about next steps by email. Expect requests for additional information in the months after the application deadline—respond promptly to keep your award on track. For precise timelines and instructions, refer to HSF’s applicant information pages.
Final Thoughts
The Hagan Scholarship is a transformative opportunity for high‑achieving students from rural communities and small schools who plan to pursue a four‑year college degree and graduate without heavy student debt. With up to $60,000 in direct support plus additional awards such as investment accounts, study‑abroad funding, and life‑skills workshops, the program gives recipients practical resources to succeed during semesters in college and after graduation.
Next steps: check your high school’s eligibility on the HSF website, assemble transcripts and income documents, and begin your application for the 2026–2027 cycle. Visit www.hsfmo.org to verify details and download the application checklist so you don’t miss any required items — then apply before the deadline.
Disclaimer: Scholarship terms, award amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines can change. Always confirm current information directly with the Hagan Scholarship Foundation at www.hsfmo.org.