City on a Hill Scholarships

The City on a Hill Foundation offers a monthly scholarships which feature varying topics and eligibility requirements. While many of our scholarships are reserved specifically for former students of City on a Hill Charter Public School, we also offer opportunities for high school and college students across Massachusetts and nationwide. If you have any questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If the answer to your question cannot be found there, feel free to contact us.

Current Opportunities

  • Theme: Writing • Storytelling • Voice

    Eligibility: All high school students in Boston

    Awards:

    • 1st Prize - $3,500

    • 2nd Prize - $2,500

    • 3rd Prize - $1,000

    Application Due: March 31, 2026
    Decision Date: April 15, 2026

    Scholarship Prompt & Required Uploads: 

    • Submit a creative essay of 1,000–2,000 words including a title; and

    • Include an optional note on genre (personal essay, short story, hybrid, etc.) - word count for the optional note does not count towards the essay word total.

  • Theme: Career Advancement • Professional Development • Access to Opportunity

    Eligibility:

    • High school (9th - 12th grade) or undergraduate students (2- or 4-year college) who are living in Boston or are from Boston;

    • Enrolled in school during Spring 2026; and

    • Pursuing a Summer 2026 internship, fellowship, training, research, or advancement opportunity.

    Awards:

    • 1st Place — $5,000

    • 2nd Place — $3,500

    • 3rd Place — $2,000

    • 4th Place - $1,500

    Application Due: April 30, 2026

    Decision Date: May 15, 2026

    Scholarship Prompt & Required Uploads: 

    • Submit the following in a single document:

      • A description of the advancement opportunity you are seeking funding for (250–300 words);

      • An essay explaining how the opportunity will advance your academic and/or professional goals (500–750 words); and

      • A draft budget with explanation for use of funds (ie. travel expenses, required materials, etc)

    • Provide proof of enrollment (including, but not limited to a current financial aid award or transcript) as of Spring 2026

Apply Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The City on a Hill Foundation offers a monthly scholarships which feature varying topics and eligibility requirements. While many of our scholarships are reserved specifically for former students of City on a Hill Charter Public School, we also offer opportunities for high school and college students across Massachusetts and nationwide.

  • We post at least one opportunity per month, and they are typically posted at least six (6) weeks before the application deadline.

  • Yes! We encourage you to apply to as many opportunities as you are eligible.

    We ask, however, that you only submit one application per opportunity.

  • Our applications are evaluated by a committee of educators from the Boston area, many of whom are previous City on a Hill faculty or Board members. All applications are reviewed by the committee after being anonymized by our applicant system, and committee members are not notified of applicant identities other than those of awardees who are publicly announced.

  • If you are applying to an eligible scholarship as someone who is neither a CoaH alumni nor former faculty/staff, please select “Friend of the Foundation (Other).”