The Gen and Kelly Tanabe scholarship is a merit-based program which means financial need is not considered. The selection of the winner is made by an independent panel of judges and is based primarily on the quality of the submitted personal statement. Past academic performance (e.g. grades and standardized test scores) are not considered. The goal is to create a level field where students have complete control over their applications and are not given an advantage or disadvantage based on financial or academic circumstances.
The scholarship program is named after Gen and Kelly Tanabe who are the award-winning authors of fourteen books on admission and scholarships. Together the Tanabes were accepted to all of the Ivy League colleges and won more than $100,000 in merit-based scholarships to graduate from Harvard debt-free. They tour nationally speaking about college planning and have served as expert sources for USA Today, The New York Times, CNN, and U.S. News & World Report.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 9th-12th grade high school, college, or graduate student including adult students.
- Be a legal resident of the U.S.
- Currently be in school or planning to attend college or graduate school.
Application process
Applicants simply must submit an essay of 250 words or less. The essay may describe why you deserve to win the scholarship, your academic or career goals, or it could be on any topic of your choice.
Winners are chosen by committee, which bases its decision primarily on the submitted personal statement. The first place award is a $1,000 scholarship. The award can be used for undergraduate or graduate school tuition, room and board, required fees or any educational expense.
Application deadline
For spring 2024 the application period is January 1 – July 31. You can submit your application through the Gen and Kelly Tanabe scholarship website.
