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Kohl Excellence Scholarship

Herb Kohl Educational Foundation

Kohl Excellence Scholarship is open to Wisconsin High School graduates who exhibits student leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement. The scholarship aims to encourage students to pursue higher education. The awardees will be granted $5,000 fund to support them in their post-secondary education.

Key Information

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age/Grade Level:
    The applicant must be a graduating high school student.
  • Financial Need:
    Not Mentioned
  • Character Traits:
    The candidates must demonstrate leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement.
  • Residence:
    The applicant must be a Wisconsin resident.
  • College:
    The applicant must intend to enroll in a postsecondary institution, which may be a public or nonpublic university, college, or vocational/technical college.

Application Details

  • Judging Criteria:
    I.Activities, Talents and ServiceA.Leadership and Participation in Music and Speech Activities (a) Quantitative Analysis01 233 Points = The student has participated in a variety of activities, over the course of several years, and has demonstrated excellence through awards, recognition and leadership positions.2 Points = The student demonstrates two out of three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership.1 Point= The student demonstrates one of the three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership. (b)Qualitative Analysis01 2 3 4 5 6 7The applicant's description of the value of these experiences is judged on a 7-point scale. This response would be considered exceptional (7) if it identifies a number of distinct benefits, acknowledges the value to both the individual and others, incorporates a present and longer-term view, is well- written, is creative and thorough. An average response (4) would have some but not all of these attributes. A poor response (1) would demonstrate little understanding of the value of these activities beyond being fun or interesting for the applicant. B. Leadership and Participation in Athletic Activities (a) Quantitative Analysis01233 Points = The student has participated in a variety of activities, over the course of several years, and has demonstrated excellence through awards, recognition and leadership positions.2 Points = The student demonstrates two out of three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership.1 Point= The student demonstrates one of the three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership. (b)Qualitative Analysis01 2 3 4 5 6 7The applicant's description of the value of these experiences is judged on a 7-point scale. This response would be considered exceptional (7) if it identifies a number of distinct benefits, acknowledges the value to both the individual and others, incorporates a present and longer-term view, is well- written, is creative and thorough. An average response (4) would have some but not all of these attributes. A poor response (1) would demonstrate little understanding of the value of these activities beyond being fun or interesting for the applicant. C. Leadership and Participation in Other School and Community Activities a)Quantitative Analysis01233 Points = The student has participated in a variety of activities, over the course of several years, and has demonstrated excellence through awards, recognition and leadership positions.2 Points = The student demonstrates two out of three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership.1 Point= The student demonstrates one of the three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership. (b) Qualitative Analysis01 2 3 4 5 6 7The applicant's description of the value of these experiences is judged on a 7-point scale. This response would be considered exceptional (7) if it identifies a number of distinct benefits, acknowledges the value to both the individual and others, incorporates a present and longer-term view, is well- written, is creative and thorough. An average response (4) would have some but not all of these attributes. A poor response (1) would demonstrate little understanding of the value of these activities beyond being fun or interesting for the applicant. D. Work Experience, Hobbies, Outside Interests and Special Talents a)Quantitative Analysis01233 Points = The student has participated in a variety of activities, over the course of several years, and has demonstrated excellence through awards, recognition and leadership positions.2 Points = The student demonstrates two out of three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership.1 Point= The student demonstrates one of the three criteria: variety of activities; more than one year of participation; awards, recognition, leadership. (b) Qualitative Analysis01234567The applicant's description of the value of these experiences is judged on a 7-point scale. This response would be considered exceptional (7) if it identifies a number of distinct benefits, acknowledges the value to both the individual and others, incorporates a present and longer-term view, is well- written, is creative and thorough. An average response (4) would have some but not all of these attributes. A poor response (1) would demonstrate little understanding of the value of these activities beyond being fun or interesting for the applicant. II.Essay Question Instructions to students: Please write a 300-500 word essay describing your goals in the following areas: 1) Future education; (2) Personal life; (3) Community/society service; (4) Career. A total of 35 points is devoted to this section. An outstanding response would have the following characteristics in all four goal areas:reveal a capacity for introspection, reflection and vision;acknowledge a need for continuous learning and growth;are realistic and relevant in terms of the student's stated interests, talents and skills;represent a clear and consistent set of values;are well-written in terms of organization, grammar, spelling and word usage;reflect unusual insight and/or foresight;are clearly stated goals which reflect an achievement orientation as opposed to a wish list or dream state;they are specific, achievable and are the result of the person's actions, not his/her luck or good fortune. III.Letters of RecommendationThree letters of recommendation--one from each of the following categories--must be included: teacher counselor or principal community member (for example, an employer, physician, member of religious community) or family friendEach letter of recommendation is evaluated separately and is eligible to receive up to five points. The rater should consider the following when determining point allocations:the extent to which the writer provides specific examples of the student's attributes;the depth and breadth of the qualities being described;evidence of unusual or remarkably distinctive qualities or attributes;clarity of relationship;the extent to which the writer knows the applicant well enough to make the claims being made;whether the letter was written specifically to address the criteria of the Kohl Scholarship or is a generic letter or recommendation. Teacher012345 Counselor or Principal012345 Community Member012345 Family Friend012345 IV.Overall Quality of Application (Maximum = 8 Points) On a scale of 1-8 rate the overall quality of this applicant's package, with 8 being of highest quality. Also consider the extent to which the total "picture" of the student matches the purpose and defining criteria of the Kohl Excellence scholarship program: leadership, citizenship, service, entrepreneurialism, improvement, and probable success in post secondary education. This section is an opportunity to also evaluate the degree to which the nominee has followed the application criteria.
  • Transcript:
    Required
  • Resume/Activity List:
    Required
  • Essay:
    Please write a 300-500 word essay describing your goals in the following areas: 1) Future education; (2) Personal life; (3) Community/society service; (4) Career. A total of 35 points is devoted to this section. An outstanding response would have the following characteristics in all four goal areas:- reveal a capacity for introspection, reflection, and vision;- acknowledge a need for continuous learning and growth;- are realistic and relevant in terms of the student's stated interests, talents, and skills;- represent a clear and consistent set of values;- are well-written in terms of organization, grammar, spelling and word usage;- reflect unusual insight and/or foresight;- are clearly stated goals which reflect an achievement orientation as opposed to a wishlist or dream state;- they are specific, achievable and are the result of the person's actions, not his/her luck or good fortune.
  • Recommendation Letters:
    Three letters of recommendation--one from each of the following categories--must be included: - teacher - counselor or principal - community member (for example, an employer, physician, member of religious community) or family friendEach letter of recommendation is evaluated separately and is eligible to receive up to five points. The rather should consider the following when determining point allocations:- the extent to which the writer provides specific examples of the student's attributes;- the depth and breadth of the qualities being described;- evidence of unusual or remarkably distinctive qualities or attributes;- clarity of relationship;- the extent to which the writer knows the applicant well enough to make the claims being made;- whether the letter was written specifically to address the criteria of the Kohl Scholarship or is a generic letter or recommendation.

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