- Beginning in Fall of 2025 -
As interest in our student grant program continues to grow, the application process will become more selective. While we’re committed to supporting as many students as possible, please note that not all applicants will receive funding.
Important Update: New Student Grant Guidelines
As a reminder, all approved student grants must demonstrate clear educational merit. Grant requests that do not have an educational focus will not be considered for funding. Please note that travel expenses, food, and lodging are not eligible for reimbursement. We encourage you to list specific educational costs—such as conference registration fees, admission to educational programs, or materials directly tied to learning experiences—as part of your financial request.
When reviewing applications, the following factors will be considered:
Thoughtfulness and effort demonstrated in your essay
Participation in Presentation Night (or submission of a video if you cannot attend)
Personal, family, or group contribution to the experience (either financial or volunteer)
Past support of HEF by you, your family, or your group (volunteering, attending events, donations, etc.)
We appreciate your interest in the HEF Student Grant Program and look forward to seeing how your educational goals take shape!
The Ventures in Education Grant is available to Hamilton School District students in grades K through 12. This program allows students to take advantage of enrichment activities off-campus during the school year (trips to Washington, D.C., Spring Break, etc.).
Application window: (Fall Cycle) August 1st - October 31st
Application window: (Spring Cycle) January 1st - April 30th
Presentations for Venture Grants for students traveling this Fall cycle will be on November 5th, at 6:00 pm in the District Conference office A at the High School (across from the main office at the front of the school) - you will be first on our meeting agenda.
***IMPORTANT: if you are a student applying for a Washington DC Grant during the Spring Cycle, your presentation will be in the Fall Cycle. You will be contacted with more details in the fall.
Students should come prepared to introduce themselves and share one thing they are excited about or hope to learn on the trip. The group will have 5 minutes to present; we’re not looking for anything too detailed!
Students: If you are approved for a grant, you will receive a congratulations email, and your grant check will be delivered to your school. (Please wait until you have been called to the office to get your check). If the check is not picked up, it will be mailed to your home.
The Final Report is due for (Fall Cycle) January 1st, 2026 and for (Spring Cycle) June 1st, 2026.
Use the link in your email submission to return to your Grant application and complete the Final Report.
CLICK FOR THE STUDENT GRANT APPLICATION FORM
“Students Taking Advantage of Renewal in Summer” (STARS) Grants are available for students in K-11 for off-campus enrichment programs for the summer time only, in academics and the arts for seminars, workshops, camps, pre-college programs/classes, career exploration conferences, and educational travels.
Stars Grants
Application window: (Spring Cycle) January 1st - April 30th
Final determinations by May 20th, 2026.
Checks will be delivered to your school by May 31st, 2026.
Students: If you are approved for a grant, you will receive a congratulations email, and your grant check will be delivered to your school. (Please wait until you have been called to the office to get your check). If the check is not picked up, it will be mailed to your home.
The Final Report is due by Sept 30th, 2026
Use the link in your email submission to return to your Grant application and complete the Final Report.
Students are eligible for the STARS Grants every year if a different program is chosen. STARS Grants are not available for Hamilton credit-based or Summer Opportunities, summer school classes, summer daycare activities, tutoring, athletic camps, church or religious retreats/camps, private lessons, or seminars or workshops not endorsed by teachers in the Hamilton School District.
Students who have received a STARS Grant in the past and have not completed the required final report will not be eligible to apply for another STARS Grant. This also applies to groups of students participating in a summer activity.
CLICK FOR THE STUDENT GRANT APPLICATION FORM
Please note that applications for student grants are only accepted from students who attend Hamilton School District public schools.