Smile Train’s College Scholarship Program is open to all US-based high school seniors born with a cleft. Interested students will fill out the application below and write short essays on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and how being cleft-affected has impacted their lives. This opportunity is not available to current or former Smile Train staff members, Board of Directors members, or their immediate family and relatives. Every application and its essays will be evaluated and voted on by a committee, who will select the recipients of the four scholarships.
Eligibility
- Have been born with a cleft lip and/or palate
- Be between the ages of 14 and 19
- Provide proof of matriculation into a four-year full-time university, college, or vocational school located in the United States
- Share evidence of academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and how being cleft-affected has impacted their life
- Be a US citizen
Selection Criteria
Every application and its essays will be evaluated and voted on by a committee, who will select the recipients of the four scholarships (“Scholarship Recipients”).
Application Due Date
The application period is from January 26th through May 17th. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. All applications must be received by May 17th at 11:59:59 PM EST to be considered eligible. Scholarship Recipients will be notified by June 10th via email.
Scholarship Funds
Scholarships may be used for educational expenses only, including tuition, fees, course-related expenses, and room and board. All scholarship funds will be sent directly to the scholarship recipients’ university, college, or vocational school. Recipients are required to provide Smile Train with instructions on where and how to send the scholarship to their school. Additionally, Scholarship Recipients are responsible for notifying their institution’s financial aid office of the scholarship through appropriate forms.
