FAQ ABOUT ROGERS SCHOLARS
Q: What is Rogers Scholars?
A: Rogers Scholars is a week-long youth leadership program for rising high school juniors throughout Eastern Kentucky. Students spend a week where they will live and learn on a college campus during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. Additionally, Scholars are eligible to apply for exclusive college scholarships at 19 universities.
Q: How does a student get selected for the program?
A: The Center for Rural Development serves 45 counties throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In an initial round of selection, The Center selects ONE student per county based on the top application score. Then, The Center selects 15-20 students at large from top score to bottom score. So it is possible for more than one student to be selected from a county.
Q: What grade level do I have to be in?
A: The program is for rising juniors, but you apply during your sophomore year.
Q: What are the academic requirements?
A: You have to have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA in order to apply.
Q: How do the scholarships work?
A: The Center for Rural Development only serves as a vehicle for the scholarships provided by 19 university partners. While you automatically qualify to apply for a scholarship as a Rogers Scholar, you still have to communicate with the school and meet academic requirements at your intended university.
Q: As a Rogers Scholar, do I have to organize my own community service project after I graduate from the program?
A: Yes. In order to be eligible for the scholarship opportunities, The Center for Rural Development requires you to organize and execute your own community service project in your hometown within a year of graduating from the program.
Q: Do I have to be a first generation college student in order to apply?
A: No.
Q: Is the program financially based?
A: No.
Q: Does the program cost anything?
A: No. If you get selected for the program, everything is provided at no cost. You just have to get to and from camp.
Q: Is it an open admission program? Do you automatically get in just by filling out the application?
A: No. It is competitive. With around 400 applications annually, only 60-64 students are selected to attend.
Q: Where is the program located?
A: Students attend a week-long camp at one of two locations: Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY and Morehead State University in Morehead, KY.
Q: If I don’t attend camp, am I still eligible for the scholarships?
A: No. You have to attend the full program in order to be eligible.
Q: I am a current junior or senior in high school. Can I still apply?
A: No. The Center only accepts applications from current sophomores. There are no exceptions.
FAQ ABOUT THE APPLICATION
Q: I only have the Chromebook that is provided by the school system and I don’t have a personal computer. Can I use this to fill out the application.
A: Probably not. Most school networks have outside domains, including ours, blocked, so you won’t be able to access the application in most cases. You will have to work with you counselor and your school’s IT department to gain access.
Q: Can I save my application and work on it over a long period of time?
A: Yes. The application is now self-paced.
Q: What happens when I am done with an assignment on the application?
A: Make sure to click the “Mark as done” or “Turn it in” button when you are done with an assignment.
Q: What If I realize I’ve made a mistake on an assignment and I’ve already turned it in?
A: You can click “unsubmit” and fix your mistake. Make sure to click the “Mark as done” or “Turn it in” button again when you are done.
Q: On my transcript, do I need my unweighted or weighted GPA
A: Unweighted.
Q: Does my counselor need to sign my transcript?
A: No, but it needs to be in its official form. It needs to include all of your 9th grade year and as much of your 10th grade year as possible.
Q: Is the Rogers Explorers program a pre-requisite for Rogers Scholars?
A: No. It’s not required.
Q: I don’t have a 4.0 GPA, should I still apply?
A: Yes. You have to have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. Your academics are worth 5% of your overall application score. Essay (45%), Extracurricular Activities (30%), Community Service (20%), and Academics (5%).
Q: Will I be able to see my application score?
A: No. The Center does not release this information and is only used internally for the selection committee.
Q: How is the selection committee determined?
A: The selection committee is made up of an anonymous committee of judges. The selection process is blinded and all names and identifying information is redacted from the applications prior to selection.
Q: If I select a specific camp location (Lindsey Wilson College or Morehead State University) on my application, do I automatically get what I put down?
A: No. We try our best to place students in the location they choose on their application. However, we will not make any guarantees. All selections are final and cannot be changed.