Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program

Wisconsin high school seniors are eligible for this award. Applicants may be a public, religious/independent, or homeschooled high school students. Application requirements for the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program are:Application form Essay Recommendation letters (3)

Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship 2026: Application Outlook

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Excellence Scholarship awards $10,000 each to over 200 Wisconsin high school seniors annually, with additional Initiative Scholarships, Teacher Fellowships, and Leadership Awards extending the program to several hundred recipients. For 2026, eligibility is restricted to Wisconsin students attending Wisconsin high schools (public, private, parochial, tribal, or homeschool), and the application window opens in fall and closes in early November. Selection is administered through Wisconsin's school administrators, who nominate students based on academic excellence and community contribution.

Application Strategy

Because nominations come through your high school, your first conversation should be with your school counselor in September of senior year - they will know whether your school is participating and who handles the nomination paperwork. Strong nominees demonstrate sustained leadership in one or two areas (not breadth across many), have a clear story about overcoming a specific challenge, and show evidence of community impact beyond their school. The personal essay is read carefully - generic essays are filtered fast.

Why It Matters in 2026

In 2026 the Kohl Foundation remains the largest private K-12 philanthropy in Wisconsin, having distributed over $26 million in scholarships since 1990. For Wisconsin students, this is one of the highest-probability major scholarships available - over 200 winners annually means your odds at the school nomination level (typically 1-2 nominees per high school) are materially better than national-pool scholarships. If you are a Wisconsin senior and not pursuing this, you are leaving free money on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions about Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program

How much does the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program award?

The Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program awards $3,000 per recipient to approximately 100 recipients each cycle.

When is the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program deadline?

The Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program deadline is November 5, 2026. Applicants should submit materials at least one week before the deadline to allow time for verification and any required follow-up.

Who is eligible for the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program?

This award is for international and U.S. students. Must be a graduating high school senior to apply for this freshman year award. For full and current eligibility criteria, applicants should always verify directly on the official scholarship website before applying.

How do I apply for the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program?

Apply directly through the official Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship Program application page at http://www.kohleducation.org/studentexcellence/. Prepare required documents (transcripts, recommendation letters, essays where applicable) before starting the application.

This award is for international and U.S. students. Must be a graduating high school senior to apply for this freshman year award. The applicant may be a public, religious/independent, or homeschooled high school student. Must be a resident of the state of Wisconsin.In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:Sign Up To View