ALKU Scholarship
Offered by ALKU and Mass Mentoring Partnership
About this scholarship
The ALKU Scholarship provides one Massachusetts student with $30,000 toward a bachelor’s degree. ALKU and Mass Mentoring Partnership created the award to recognize the educational impact of a sustained youth-adult mentoring relationship. The 2026 recipient receives $7,500 per academic year, normally disbursed in $3,750 semester installments from fall 2027 through spring 2031. Applicants must attend a Massachusetts high school and enter senior year in fall 2026 with an expected 2027 graduation date. They need at least a 2.75 GPA, must plan to begin an accredited four-year college or university in fall 2027, and must have participated in a quality mentoring relationship for at least one year. A mentor can be any consistent, supportive adult except the applicant’s parent or legal guardian. The application asks about educational plans, financial need, resilience, accomplishments, work, leadership, community involvement, and the effect of mentoring. It also requires a 100- to 200-word personal statement, a recommendation from the mentor, and preferably a photo of the student and mentor. Finalists must verify their GPA with a transcript. No citizenship requirement applies. The scholar and mentor must attend the November 18 recognition event, and the recipient must maintain a 2.75 college GPA. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on September 20, 2026.
Eligibility
- Attend a high school in Massachusetts and enter senior year in fall 2026
- Expect to graduate from high school in 2027
- Have a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Plan to begin an accredited four-year bachelor’s program in fall 2027
- Have participated in a quality mentoring relationship with a nonparent adult for at least one year
- Submit a mentor recommendation and the required written application responses
- If selected, attend the November 18, 2026 recognition event and maintain a 2.75 college GPA
- Submit the online application by September 20, 2026