Form cover
Page 1 of 1

The American Dream Scholarship Application

Things to know before you start!

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Richard A Howlett American Dream Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

-Applicants must be a non-U.S. citizen

-Must be a high school graduate (or have earned a GED); currently enrolled high school students are not eligible.

-Have completed a minimum of 30 college credit hours and hold sophomore-level standing or above.

-Be a student currently attending or transferring from a Texas Community College. If transferring, you must be enroll in a degree program at Texas public university in the fall and spring semester the award is made ($1,000 will be awarded in Fall and $1,000 will be awarded in Spring for students attending a community college or a four year institution)

-Have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average

-Must be able to show financial need if no TASFA was completed

All majors and fields of study are welcome to apply.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE READY TO UPLOAD BEFORE YOU START THE APPLICATION:

Untitled checkboxes field
You cannot save the application, so please complete it once you start. You will be asked to provide an answer for 3 short essay questions (150 word max). You can see those prompts in Section 4 if you scroll down.
Open Doors Education Initiative (ODEI) is committed to protecting the privacy of our applicants. The information provided in this application is for the sole purpose of evaluating candidates for the our scholarships. It will be held securely and accessed only by those involved in the selection process. We will not disclose personal details to any outside parties without explicit written consent.

SECTION 1 | PERSONAL INFORMATION

Legal First and Last Name

Preferred Name

Full Street Adress

Permanent/Home Address (if different)

Email address

Phone number

Gender

Gender

Race/Enthicity

Race/Enthicity

Are you a US Citizen? (This scholarship is specifically for non-US citizens. If you are a US citizen, please apply for our other scholarships)

Are you a US Citizen? (This scholarship is specifically for non-US citizens. If you are a US citizen, please apply for our other scholarships)
A
B

SECTION 2 | Academic Information

Name of Texas Public University or College you attend

Degree you are working on (e.g., AA, AS, BA, etc)

Major or field of study

Expected graduation date

Cumulative Grade Point Average (out of 4.0)

Total college credits earned

Total college credits in-progress

Current Classification as of June 1, 2026

Current Classification as of June 1, 2026
A
B
C

Anticipated Enrollment Status for Fall 2026

Anticipated Enrollment Status for Fall 2026
A
B

SECTION 3 | FINANCIAL & HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

What will your employment status be for Fall 2026?

What will your employment status be for Fall 2026?
A
B
C

What is your household monthly income?

How many people live in your household?

Have you completed the FASFA (Free Application for Student Federal Aid) for the upcoming academic year?

Have you completed the FASFA (Free Application for Student Federal Aid) for the upcoming academic year?
A
B
C

Do you anticipate receiving a Federal Pell Grant for the upcoming academic year?

Do you anticipate receiving a Federal Pell Grant for the upcoming academic year?
A
B
C

Do you anticipate receiving any other scholarships for Fall 2026? If yes, what is the total amount?

Are you a parent and primary caregiver to a child under 18?

Are you a parent and primary caregiver to a child under 18?
A
B

Are you a United States Veteran?

Are you a United States Veteran?
A
B

Will you be the first generation in your immediate family to earn a college degree?

Will you be the first generation in your immediate family to earn a college degree?
A
B

Are there any extenuating financial circumstance that you would like to include in your application that might us help better assess financial need? We take into consideration a wide variety of circumstances that may impact your need for financial aid, so please tell us how this scholarship will help.

SECTION 4 | SHORT ESSAYS

Please respond thoughtfully to each of the following prompts. Each response should be between 100 and 150 words. AI assistance with completing the prompts below is not appropriate and essays that we suspect are AI generated will be disqualified. We are evaluating answers based on authentic reflection and not flawless writing.

Academic & Career Goals: Tell us about your college and career goals. How did you become interested in your chosen field of study, and what experiences have shaped your path toward this career?

Overcoming an Obstacle: Describe a time when you faced a significant obstacle or challenge. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience?

Personal Pride: What accomplishment or aspect of your life are you most proud of, and why?

SECTION 5 | REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Please upload your unofficial college transcript showing courses completed and in-progress with grades

Please upload a resume or CV that details your out of the classroom activities, including but not limited to: extracurriculars, community service, significant memberships in organizations, work experience, awards or recognitions received. TWO PAGE MAXIMUM

Please Upload one letter of recommendation

Please upload a copy of your FASFA/TASFA Submission Summary (if completed)

SECTION 6 | APPLICANT CERTIFICATION & DISCLAIMERS

Please read the following statements carefully before signing.
Certification of Truthfulness
I certify that the information provided in this application and in all supporting documents is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false or misleading information may result in the denial of my application, revocation of any scholarship awarded, and/or a requirement to repay any funds received.
Release of Information
I authorize the Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship committee to verify any information submitted in connection with this application, including academic records, enrollment status, and financial aid information, through my educational institution(s) or other relevant third parties. I further authorize my institution's financial aid office to release information regarding my financial aid status to the scholarship committee as needed to administer this award.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship is awarded without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Use of Scholarship Funds
Scholarship funds awarded will be paid directly to the recipient's institution of higher education and applied toward qualified educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, required course materials, and living expenses. Recipients must maintain continuous enrollment and satisfactory academic progress, as defined by their institution, throughout the award period. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of remaining funds.
Tax Liability
Scholarship recipients are solely responsible for any federal, state, or local tax obligations that may arise from receipt of this award. The Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship does not provide tax advice; applicants are encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional with any questions.
Use of Name, Likeness & Application Materials
If selected as a recipient, I grant the Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship and its affiliates permission to use my name, photograph, likeness, institution, and select biographical information for promotional, educational, and fundraising purposes, including press releases, websites, and social media, without additional compensation. No last names or personal financial information beyond scholarship award will be shared by Open Door Education Initiative without additional consent from awardee.
Privacy of Application Materials
All application materials submitted will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluating scholarship applications. Materials will be reviewed only by authorized members of the selection committee. The scholarship committee complies with applicable privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), with respect to any educational records provided.
Final Authority of Selection Committee
All decisions regarding the selection of scholarship recipients are made at the sole and final discretion of the Open Doors Texas Scholars Scholarship selection committee. Applicants acknowledge that submission of this application does not guarantee an award, and that the committee is not obligated to provide feedback regarding application decisions.
Deadline & Submission
Completed applications, including all required supporting documents, must be received by the posted application deadline. Late, incomplete, or illegible applications will not be considered. Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring timely submission. Applicants who are awarded a scholarship from Open Doors Education Initiative must submit all requested follow up documents on time or forfeit their award.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to all certifications, disclaimers, and terms set forth in this application.

Signature

Typed Name: