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HOW TO APPLY

Traditional and Nontraditional Education

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There is one application for both traditional and nontraditional education paths.

 

A traditional education is for students planning to attend a college, university, or community college in pursuit of a degree. 

 

A nontraditional education is for students planning to attend a community college, trade program, or certification program. â€‹

 

Not everyone needs a four-year degree to succeed. Many rewarding career paths focus on hands-on work. Instead of becoming a brain surgeon, you might prefer working as an MRI technician. Rather than designing buildings as an architect, you could enjoy drafting blueprints as a CAD drafter or installing water systems as a plumber. Maybe instead of being an environmental scientist, you’d rather work as an arborist, diagnosing and treating tree diseases.

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Whatever path you choose to pursue, we hope you have researched academic and career programs, visited prospective schools, and have made the best decision for you and your future. 

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Scholarships and
Interest-Free Loans

Each year, up to 100 students apply for scholarships and interest-free loans through Bootstraps. On average, about 40 percent of applicants receive awards, depending on the number of scholarships and interest-free loans available.

 

All awards are generously funded by members of the community, who donate their hard-earned money to help local students pursue their educational goals.

Scholarship and Interest-free Loan Details

  • Scholarships range from $500 for one year to $44,000 for four years.

  • Interest-free loans range from $500 to $5,000 for the first year of college.

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Each donor sets the specific criteria for their award, so eligibility requirements can vary each year. Many awards can be used not only for two- and four-year colleges but also for vocational and career training.​

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A Word About Our Interest-Free Loans

Many people hear the word "loan" and immediately dismiss the idea, probably because of the reports on the debt that student loans have caused. Bootstraps has a unique program (one of only a handful in the country) that allows us to fund loans without charging interest, saving most students up to $10,000 in interest.

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Bootstraps loans are interest-free for the life of the loan as long as you make scheduled payments beginning six months after you graduate or leave your educational program. YOU ONLY REPAY WHAT YOU BORROW WITH NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES OR FEES. Students receive loan funding directly and can use the funds to cover educational expenses.

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2026 APPLICATION INFORMATION

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TIMING

The application opens December 1 and closes January 31.

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If you qualify for the Bootstraps program, you will be invited to schedule an interview the week of February 23. Having an interview with Bootstraps does not guarantee receiving a scholarship or an interest-free loan.

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If you do not qualify for the Bootraps program, you will be notified via email the week of February 23.

Application Requirements

  • FAFSA Submission Summary from the FAFSA - please plan ahead and complete your FAFSA because it can take up to two weeks to receive your FAFSA Submission Summary

  • Your high school transcript - you will request this through the application

  • General information

  • Schools you hope to attend

  • One teacher recommendation

  • Information about extracurricular and volunteer activities

  • Information about work experience

  • Essay questions

CONTINUING LOAN APPLICATION

Our Continuing Interest-Free Loan Program is designed to support students who received a Bootstraps scholarship or interest-free loan for their first year of postsecondary education. Since most Bootstraps scholarships are awarded for one year only, this program offers additional financial assistance to help you continue your studies.

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TIMING

CONTINUING LOAN
APPLICATION

Application Window
The application opens on May 1 and closes on June 30.

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Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you previously received a Bootstraps scholarship or interest-free loan during your first year of postsecondary education. The average loan amount is $5,000.

 

Repayment

Loan repayment begins six months after completing or leaving your program of study. All loans remain interest-free throughout the life of the loan.

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Continuing Loan Application

Application Requirements
The process is simple. To apply, you will need to submit the following:

  1. You must have been a Bootstraps recipient in your first year of postsecondary education.

  2. FAFSA Submission Summary: Complete your FAFSA at StudentAid.gov and upload your FAFSA Submission Summary.

  3. Recent Transcript: Provide an unofficial copy of your latest school transcript.

  4. Cost of Attendance (COA): Obtain the COA from your school's website. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, insurance, and personal/travel expenses.

  5. Class Schedule: Submit your next semester's class schedule or other proof of enrollment.

  6. Financial Aid Award Letter: Provide your financial aid award letter for the upcoming year from your school.

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