Request for Proposals: PATH Scholarship Program

Deadline: 20 June 2025

The Ellucian Foundation has launched its PATH Scholarship Program to help higher education institutions support their students who may be experiencing economic hardship.

The PATH Scholarship – now offered by the Ellucian Foundation – has provided more than $2.9 million in scholarships to eligible higher education institutions, benefiting more than 3,100 students.

Funding Information

The Ellucian Foundation will award block grants of $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000 (USD) to selected schools, which will use the funds to provide awards of up to $1,500 to eligible students.

Eligibility Criteria

US Applicants
- School and Students Eligibility:
  - Schools must meet the following criteria to apply:
    - Be a public two-year institution as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
    - Be eligible to participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid programs.
    - Be in good standing with their governing body, accrediting agency, state, and U.S.
- Schools must also agree to established terms and conditions, which include:
  - Affirming that PATH Scholarship funding will not replace or supplant other grant assistance.
  - Committing to the timeframe of awarding funds and reporting data.
  - Agreeing to use the funds solely for student support; use of the funds to cover administrative costs is prohibited.
  - Affirming that it will award only eligible students.
- Schools will be asked to provide information about the institution including basic questions about their population experiencing financial hardships. In addition, schools will be asked to provide information concerning the:
  - Percentage of students that received the Federal Pell Grant during the 2024-2025 academic year
  - Top three current needs of their student population;
  - Anticipated effect of the funding on recipients;
  - Philosophy and approach for how the school will select students (including any additional criteria imposed);
  - How the proposal assists students experiencing economic hardships, ensuring that they are able to continue their education;
  - Plans for promoting the program;
  - Proposed selection process;
  - Plans for how the funds will be disbursed;
  - Proposed individual award amounts;
  - Percentage of enrolled students who meet the established eligibility criteria;
  - Compliance with reporting requirements, including collecting permission from recipients to share information with the Ellucian Foundation, if applicable;
  - Current student retention and/or persistence initiatives and how the PATH Scholarship funds would assist with those efforts; and
  - Efforts made by the institution, if any, to provide new, expanded, and/or modified programs designed to serve the evolving needs of the community and respond to students’ financial challenges.
- Student Eligibility
  - In addition to experiencing financial hardships, students must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible to receive funds:
  - Currently enrolled at least half-time at the institution.
  - Be a regular student, defined as:
  - Seeking a credential, defined as a degree or certificate (including certificates for short-term programs)
  - Not dually enrolled in high school and postsecondary education.
  - In good academic standing at time of awarding and disbursement.
Non US Applicants
- Institutions and Students Eligibility:
  - Institutions must meet the following criteria to apply:
    - Be an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree-granting, not-for-profit institution.
    - Be approved by their Ministry of Higher Education or other national government ministry.
- Institutions must also agree to established terms and conditions, which include:
  - Affirming that PATH Scholarship funding will not replace or supplant other grant assistance.
  - Committing to the timeframe of awarding funds and reporting data.
  - Affirming that it will award only eligible students.
  - Affirming that it is authorized to accept and disburse funds from a U.S.-based nonprofit foundation subject to eligibility validation through the Charities Aid Foundation America (CAFA).
  - Institutions will be asked for demographic information about the institution, and basic questions about their population experiencing financial hardships.
- Student Eligibility
  - In addition to having been adversely affected by financial challenges, students must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible to receive funds:
  - Be a regular student, defined as:
  - Seeking an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
  - Not dual-enrolled in high school and postsecondary education.
  - Currently enrolled at least half-time at the institution.
  - In good academic standing at time of awarding and disbursement;
  - Either a resident or non-resident student