Equitable Excellence Scholarship 2027: $20,000 Award, Deadline December 22, 2026

The Equitable Excellence Scholarship 2027 is open now — and it is one of the biggest December deadlines on the calendar. The Equitable Foundation will award 100 scholarships of $5,000 a year, renewable for up to four years, for a total of up to $20,000 per student. Applications close on December 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, and the program is open to public high school seniors in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Here is the award, the eligibility rules, and exactly how to apply.

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Quick answer: The Equitable Excellence Scholarship 2027 awards 100 scholarships of $5,000 per year, renewable for up to three more years — up to $20,000 total — to public high school seniors who plan to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college in fall 2027. The deadline is December 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CT, and applications are submitted online through Scholarship America, which administers the program for the Equitable Foundation. Applicants need a minimum GPA of 2.5 and must show ambition, self-drive, and a commitment to giving back to their community.

How Much Is the Equitable Excellence Scholarship Worth?

The program distributes $500,000 in new scholarships each year. Each of the 100 recipients receives $5,000 per year, renewable for up to three additional years — or until a bachelor's degree is earned, whichever comes first — as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic performance and stays enrolled full time. That brings the maximum value to $20,000 per recipient. Scholarship America processes the payments, which are made in August. Every recipient also directs a $500 gift card to an educator of their choice — a teacher, counselor, or mentor who made a difference.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility for 2027

According to the official Scholarship America program page, you are eligible if you:

Are a current high school senior at a public high school in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
Plan to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States for the full 2027–28 academic year.
Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Can demonstrate ambition and self-drive to be a force for good in your community — specifically, encouraging other students to pursue post-secondary education.
Show financial need as part of the overall review.

Scholarship America runs the review and selects recipients; no Equitable Foundation employee takes part in selection. The program was formerly known as the AXA Achievement Scholarship before Equitable took over the program in 2020, and 2027 marks its 24th year of student support.

How to Apply for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Applications are submitted online through Scholarship America's Equitable Excellence page (scholarshipamerica.org). The 2027 cycle opened on November 6, 2026. You will need your academic record, a description of your community involvement, and an essay or personal statement showing how you encourage others to pursue higher education. Financial information is also part of the application, since need is considered. Submit well before the December 22, 2026, 3:00 p.m. CT cutoff — the portal closes at that exact time and late applications are not accepted. Applicants hear back by email in early spring 2027.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Lead with community impact. This scholarship rewards students who lift others up — tutoring, mentoring, starting a club, or organizing a college-readiness effort all count. Give specific examples with numbers where you can.
Show, don't just tell, your ambition. Connect your own goals to the people you have helped along the way.
Apply to more December scholarships too. The December 2026 deadline list includes several awards closing the same month — stacking applications is the fastest way to increase your odds. And if essays are your weak spot, see our guide to writing a scholarship essay that wins.
Double-check your GPA and enrollment plans before submitting — a 2.5 minimum and full-time fall 2027 enrollment are hard requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Equitable Excellence Scholarship deadline for 2027?
December 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Applications are submitted online through Scholarship America.

How much money does the Equitable Excellence Scholarship give?
$5,000 per year, renewable for up to three more years, for a total of up to $20,000. One hundred scholarships are awarded each year, plus a $500 gift card each recipient directs to an educator.

Who is eligible for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship?
Public high school seniors in the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico with at least a 2.5 GPA who plan to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college in fall 2027 and can show community impact and financial need.

Is the Equitable Excellence Scholarship renewable?
Yes. The $5,000 award renews for up to three additional years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic performance and remain enrolled full time, or until you earn your bachelor's degree.

Where do I apply for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship?
On the official Scholarship America program page for Equitable Excellence (scholarshipamerica.org). Never pay anyone to apply — the application is free.

When will I hear back?
Recipients are notified by email in early spring 2027, and payments are made in August.

Sources: Scholarship America — Equitable Excellence Scholarship Program page (deadline December 22, 2026, 3:00 p.m. CT; 100 awards of $5,000, renewable up to $20,000); Fastweb — Equitable Excellence Scholarship listing. Always confirm the current deadline and requirements on the official Scholarship America page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship — legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.

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