The GE Aerospace-Reagan Foundation Scholarship, run by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, gives high school seniors a $10,000 award that can be renewed for up to three more years, up to $40,000 in total. It is for U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA who show leadership, drive, integrity and citizenship. The 2027 application closes January 7, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
This profile is based on the Reagan Foundation’s GE-Reagan scholarship page, checked in November 2026. The application is hosted by Kaleidoscope, which handles applicant questions.
Who is eligible for the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship
The Foundation lists these requirements:
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens only.
- Grade: current high school seniors graduating in winter 2026 or spring 2027. Home-schooled students and students on U.S. Armed Forces bases abroad are included.
- GPA: a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.
- College plans: full-time enrollment in an undergraduate program at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for the whole 2027-2028 academic year.
- Character: demonstrated leadership, integrity, drive and citizenship in your community, school and workplace.
Financial need is not listed as a requirement. The Foundation says applicants are “first considered on the basis of merit,” and that financial information is one part of the evaluation. Students heading to a two-year college first do not meet the four-year enrollment rule.
What the award pays
The program “offers college scholarships of up to $40,000.” Each year it selects “numerous recipients” for a $10,000 award that can renew for up to three additional years. The Foundation does not publish a fixed number of recipients, and the program page does not describe a trip or event for recipients.
| Feature | What the Foundation publishes |
|---|---|
| First-year award | $10,000 |
| Renewal | Up to three additional years |
| Maximum total | Up to $40,000 |
| Number of awards | “Numerous recipients” (no number given) |
The renewal conditions are covered in the program’s FAQ. Read them before you count on all four years.
How selection works
Selection runs in three stages, all built around the Foundation’s four core values: Leadership, Drive, Integrity and Citizenship.
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- Initial application. Basic personal, family, school, college and financial information; your extracurricular, community service and paid work involvement; an essay on your leadership and service; and a statement of goals.
- Semifinalist round. Semifinalists submit high school transcripts, one recommendation, a values statement and financial documentation.
- Finalist round. Finalists take part in virtual interviews.
The Foundation does not publish an applicant count or acceptance rate.
Deadlines and timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens | October 12, 2026 |
| Application deadline | January 7, 2027, 3:00 p.m. EST |
| All applicants notified by email | By March 1, 2027 |
| Semifinalist materials due | Mid-March 2027 |
| Virtual finalist interviews | April 2027 |
| Recipients notified by email | By April 30, 2027 |
The Foundation tells applicants to check their spam folder for the March and April emails. A missed semifinalist email in March can cost you the mid-March materials deadline.
How to make a strong application
- Organise around the four values. Leadership, Drive, Integrity and Citizenship are what the Foundation says it selects for. Your activity list and essay should give a concrete example of each, not just a list of titles.
- Count paid work. The application asks about paid work alongside service and activities. A steady part-time job is evidence of drive, so list it fully.
- Make the leadership essay about service. The essay prompt pairs leadership with service. Describe what you did for other people and what changed because of it.
- Prepare semifinalist materials before March. You will have only a couple of weeks. Line up a recommender and have your transcript request and financial documents ready in February.
- Practise for a video interview. Finalist interviews are virtual. Practise answering out loud on camera with a teacher or counselor.
- Use the right help desk. Questions go to Kaleidoscope at [email protected]. The Foundation says its staff cannot answer applicant questions.
Our scholarship essay guide covers how to turn an activity into a specific story.
Similar programs to consider
- The Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship also judges seniors on leadership and pays four-year awards.
- The United States Senate Youth Program pays $12,500 to student government leaders.
- The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is a renewable option for computer science and engineering students with need.
- Our scholarship finder lists more January deadlines.
GE-Reagan Scholarship FAQ
Do I need financial need to qualify?
No. Applicants are first considered on merit. Financial information is collected and is one component of the evaluation.
Can permanent residents apply?
No. The Foundation requires U.S. citizenship.
Can I use it at a community college?
Not for the first year. You must enroll full-time at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university for all of 2027-2028.
When will I hear back?
Every applicant is emailed by March 1, 2027. Recipients are notified by April 30, 2027.