The Hagan Scholarship, from the Hagan Scholarship Foundation, pays up to $7,500 a semester for up to eight consecutive semesters to high-achieving students with substantial financial need. For the high school class of 2027, the application deadline is December 1, 2026, and up to 1,500 scholarships can be awarded for 2027-28.
This profile uses the foundation’s Application page and Description page, checked in November 2026.
Who is eligible for the Hagan Scholarship
For the 2027-28 academic year, you must:
- Be in the 2027 high school graduating class at a U.S. public, private, charter, magnet or STEM high school.
- Have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA.
- Have parents whose 2025 adjusted gross household income did not exceed $125,000.
- Enroll in an eligible four-year college or university the first fall after graduation. Community colleges, junior colleges and online institutions do not qualify.
- Keep a four-year graduation schedule.
- Apply for federal and state grants if eligible.
Citizenship does not affect eligibility. At the finalist stage, U.S. citizens submit the first two pages of their FAFSA Submission Summary showing the SAI, and non-citizens provide proof of non-U.S. citizenship.
One caution: an older eligibility page on the same site still shows a $100,000 limit and 2023 income. The current Application page, which names the class of 2027, says $125,000 and 2025 income. Go by the Application page, and email the foundation if your family is between those numbers.
What the award pays
- Up to $7,500 each semester, for up to eight consecutive semesters.
- First-year recipients receive $2,000 before enrolling for essential items.
- Third-year recipients with a 3.50 cumulative GPA are eligible for a study-abroad benefit.
- A graduate scholarship of up to four more consecutive semesters is available.
Your SAI shapes the amount. The foundation deducts half of your SAI from the cost of attendance to set the disbursement, and “Parents are not required to pay the SAI; it is used only to determine the disbursement amount.”
The work requirement
This is what sets Hagan apart. You must complete 240 hours of supervised, compensated, non-family employment from January 1, 2027, to September 1, 2027, to receive a fall semester disbursement. Paid internships count; working for a family business does not.
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That is about 30 hours a week over an eight-week summer, or fewer hours spread from January. Plan it before you apply.
How selection works
The foundation says selection is “objective and non-discriminatory.” Applicants submit a current transcript and an unsealed letter of recommendation, and finalists submit the documents above. Decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The foundation does not publish an acceptance rate.
Deadlines and timeline
| Step | Class of 2027 date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | December 1, 2026 |
| Work window opens | January 1, 2027 |
| 240 hours completed by | September 1, 2027 |
| First disbursement | Fall 2027 semester |
Applicants can apply one time only, so do not submit a rushed draft.
How to make a strong application
- Line up a job now. Without 240 paid, non-family hours by September 1, 2027, there is no fall payment.
- Choose an eligible college. Only four-year schools qualify, and you must enroll the first fall after graduation.
- File the FAFSA early. Your SAI sets the award, and finalists who are citizens must show the FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Ask for the recommendation unsealed. The foundation asks for an unsealed letter, so your recommender should give you a copy.
Similar programs to consider
- The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship for high-GPA seniors with need.
- The Horatio Alger National Scholarship for students with need who have overcome adversity.
- The Dell Scholars Program for Pell-eligible Texas seniors.
- Our Student Aid Index guide and the scholarship finder.
Hagan Scholarship FAQ
Can I use Hagan at a community college?
No. Community colleges, junior colleges and online institutions are not eligible.
Do non-citizens qualify?
Yes. The foundation says citizenship does not affect eligibility; non-citizen finalists provide proof of non-U.S. citizenship.
Does my family have to pay the SAI?
No. Half of the SAI is used only to calculate the award amount.
Can I apply again next year?
No. Applicants can apply one time only.