Highest Degree

03/29/2026

🎓 Highest Degree Scholars – Class of 2027 Applications Are NOW OPEN! 🎓

We are excited to officially announce that applications for the Highest Degree Class of 2027 are now open!

If you are a driven student ready to take your college journey to the next level with guidance, support, and access to valuable resources—this is your opportunity. To apply: https://forms.gle/HyMNEok2giRdUMuC6

⚠️ Important Program Updates (Please Read Carefully):
As we continue to grow and strengthen the impact of Highest Degree, there will be key changes to the structure of the program:

Scholars will participate in FREE monthly group sessions designed to build community, accountability, and shared learning experiences.
Sessions will be held in person when space is available, and virtually when needed.
Individualized one-on-one support will be available as an optional paid service for those seeking more personalized guidance.

These changes were made with intention. In the past, offering unlimited free individual sessions often led to missed appointments and underutilized opportunities. By restructuring, we are ensuring that:
✔️ Time is respected
✔️ Commitment is prioritized
✔️ Scholars receive high-quality, focused support

Highest Degree remains deeply committed to supporting first- and second-generation students—while also creating a structure that values both the scholars and the work poured into them.

📌 Apply now and take the next step toward your highest degree.

05/05/2025

This year's 2025 Trunks for College Comforter Reveal!

03/30/2025

Now Accepting Applications: Highest Degree Scholars Program!
The college admissions process requires grit and commitment therefore Highest Degree is seeking students who are self motivated, have strong desire to pursue a higher education and are able to work independently.
Are you a current high school junior who meets the above qualifications and is preparing for your senior year? Are you wanting to tackle the college application process but unsure where to start? Our Highest Degree Scholars Program will guide you every step of the way!

HD Scholars Application Deadline: April 15, 2025

Who Can Apply?
Rising high school seniors with a parent/supporter committed to assisting them through the journey. Priority given to students attending high schools in Houston and surrounding areas.

HD Scholar Program Benefits:
✅ One-on-One Guidance – Get personalized support tailored to your needs.
✅ FAFSA & Financial Aid Assistance – Navigate the application with confidence.
✅ Scholarship Support – Find and apply for funding opportunities.
✅ Essay Coaching – Craft compelling college essays.
✅ College Selection Help – Discover the best fit for your goals.
✅ Proven Success – Every program graduate is now enrolled in higher education!

Giving Back: Trunks for College Initiative
While our services are free, each participant is expected to donate three (3) rolling trunks by May 1, 2025 to support incoming college freshmen in need. If this donation presents a financial hardship, students are still encouraged to apply and should email [email protected] explaining their situation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to set yourself up for college success! Apply today and take the first step toward achieving your Highest Degree.

Apply now! https://forms.gle/ZLgnR9LCZnmy1X5g6

06/21/2024

Check out MsMonica’s video.

06/11/2024

The Trunks for College Project application is now open! Get essential supplies and resources to kickstart your college journey. 🎒✨

📅 Important Dates:

Application Deadline: June 22, 2024
Notification Date: Early July 2024
Trunk Retrieval Day: July 20, 2024
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Apply now:
https://forms.gle/1iLibhc46yD1vWT17

05/24/2024

Volunteer event sponsored by Foresters CARE jn preparation for this year's Trunk for College Project.

05/19/2024

Congratulations to the High School Graduating Class of 2025! Highest Degree is dedicated to supporting the educational success of first and second generation college students. We are excited to celebrate the fourth year of our Trunks for College Project. Check out this year's comforter reveal! Application details coming soon.

Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker

05/15/2024

It's that time again!!!! Trunks for College Project! This is our 4th year providing dorm essential for students entering college. So excited and proud of the success of this project. Thank you to all who have helped us, help them!

11/22/2023

Bezos Scholars Program (For HS Juniors)
Open on November 30, 2023 and will close on January 25, 2024

Eligibility requirements for U.S. student Scholars
To be considered, U.S. students must:

Attend an eligible* public high school in the United States that currently has a 30% or greater overall free and reduced lunch rate.
Be a junior at the time they are applying to the program.
Be enrolled in or have taken one or more advanced course during their high school career. This includes Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college-level courses.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have received DACA status.
Be available to fully participate in the year-long program and attend all dates for the Aspen Ideas Festival trip in Aspen, Colorado, slated for June 22 - June 28, 2024.

Nominate an educator, a willing and supportive adult from their school to serve as a mentor, who will fully participate in the program and go on the trip to Aspen with them.

*Students currently attending a school a Scholar was selected from in 2022 or 2023 are not eligible to apply for the upcoming cohort. See the list of current ineligible schools. This policy encourages equity of opportunity, allowing us to bring the Scholar experience and the Community Change Projects Scholars create to more schools and geographical locations. The program not only supports and serves individual students and educators, but also brings opportunities and resources to the school ecosystem they are part of.

Applications to the Bezos Scholars Program will open on November 30, 2023 and will close on January 25, 2024. Candidates are notified of their status by early March and Scholars are officially selected by April, starting the program in May.

11/22/2023

The Coolidge Scholarship (Full Ride Scholarship no income restrictions)

Application Deadline – January 18, 2024
High School Juniors

An annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. The Coolidge may be used by recipients at any accredited college or university in the United States. Anyone of any background, pursuing any academic discipline of study, may apply to this non-partisan, need-blind, program.

Eligibility Requirements

2023-24 Coolidge Scholarship applicants must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in fall 2025. That is to say, students in their junior year of high school, or the equivalent if home schooled, are eligible to apply. (Students who are currently high school juniors but take some courses at a local college are indeed eligible to apply for the Coolidge Scholarship.)

2023-24 Coolidge Scholarship applicants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States of America by the 2023-24 scholarship deadline.

2023-24 Coolidge Scholarship applicants cannot be the immediate family member of any current employee or trustee of the Coolidge Scholars Program or the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation.

Trouble accessing the application? Try from this link or in a different browser. 

11/22/2023

Application Opens November 27
Deadline January 17

MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
sponsored by the School of Health Professions

Program is open ONLY to current Texas high school seniors age 18 + by program start.

June 3 - August 9, 2024
The program introduces interested and qualified young Texans interested in an Allied Health career to a research environment and provides firsthand experiences in the varied career opportunities available at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the nation's leading cancer research and treatment centers. Up to 10 students will be selected to participate in this 10-week program.

Students selected for the program are given a rare opportunity to participate in a research project in one of the biomedical disciplines under the guidance of a full-time member of the MD Anderson faculty. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the basic principles that form the foundation for scientific investigation.

During the program, students work in MD Anderson laboratories five days a week, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The majority of this time is spent doing actual hands-on work that provides the students with a clear knowledge of exactly what it means to be a biomedical researcher as well as an understanding of the discipline required.

The laboratory experience is supplemented by seminars presented by faculty on a wide variety of research topics and by activities exclusive to participants of all the Summer Programs, which may include an abstract, poster, and elevator speech competitions. At the conclusion of the program, participants will share their experiences during a presentation and a celebration luncheon.

Participants will approach their upcoming college term with an increased awareness and confidence in allied health professions career fields.

*** Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time they start the program and must be available for the entire 10 weeks, however, we understand some school districts finish school and host commencement during the first week of the program. In this case, an invitee may start the second week and participate the remaining nine weeks. ***

If you are ready to make an appointment, select a button on the right. If you have questions about MD Anderson’s appointment process, our information page may be the best place to start.

11/22/2023

Developing Future Generations of Women Leaders
The KPMG Future Leaders Program continues to focus on developing future generations of women leaders.

Deadline: February 1, 2024
Award: $10,000 per year

*Applications are now open for the 2024 KPMG Future Leaders Program!

The KPMG Future Leaders Program is a charitable initiative designed to increase the diversity pipeline of women in business and STEM fields. Funded by the proceeds from the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, the KPMG Future Leaders Program annually awards 22 deserving female high school seniors the opportunity to enhance their personal growth throughout their college experience with annual scholarships, ongoing development and support, mentorship and an introduction to golf. Since the program's inception in 2016, more than $5.3 million in scholarships have been awarded to 166 KPMG Future Leaders.

https://womensleadership.kpmg.us/charitable/developing-future-generations-women-leaders1.html

The (22) selected KPMG Future Leader Recipients will receive:

A scholarship of $10,000 per year for four years of college
A KPMG Future Leaders Retreat and ongoing support that will focus on leadership training, the college transition and career development
A pairing with an executive woman mentor for one year
Applicant criteria includes:

High school female senior planning to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program for the upcoming 2024 fall semester
Demonstrates significant financial need (average recipient household income from the last 3 years was $33,000)
United States citizen or permanent resident (includes all U.S. territories)
Demonstrates academic excellence (minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA) and leadership potential
Demonstrates interest in a business or STEM academic track
Letter of recommendation from a nonprofit/community organization
Click here to access the 2024 KPMG Future Leaders Program application. Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2024. An independent selection committee will select and notify the 22 recipients by April 15, 2024.

The KPMG Future Leaders Program continues to focus on developing future generations of women leaders.