Our Work · Open Door Scholarships
From an East Palo Alto classroom to a college campus.
The Open Door Scholarship Fund helps local students pursue higher education, and asks one thing in return: come back and lift up the next ones. Last year we awarded 10 scholarships; this year, 12. The number varies with our funding and the committee's decisions.
An Open Door Scholar
She finished her degree. Then she came back to coach.
A Hope Horizon alum, Class of 2021, used an Open Door Scholarship to earn her computer science degree, then came home to coach the next generation in robotics and STEM.
Who it's for
Built for our community's students.
The fund supports students from East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park pursuing college, junior college, trade school, or approved training programs. East Palo Alto residency isn't strictly required, but priority goes to students from the area. We look for two things above all: leadership and service in their church, community, or campus, and real financial need.
Funding priority goes to students who have demonstrated leadership and service, shown financial hardship, and participated in Hope Horizon programs.
College, junior college, university, trade school, or an approved Bible school or mission training program.
We invest in students who invest in their community.
Funds go directly to the institution in August.
Where they are now
Our scholars, out in the world.
"My goal is to earn my master's in engineering and a minor in computer science. I plan on coming back after I graduate to mentor the robotics team."Open Door Scholarship recipient
How to apply
Applications for 2026 are open.
High School Scholarship
For current high school seniors heading to college, trade school, or training programs.
Apply →College Scholarship
For students already attending college, junior college, university, or trade school in 2026.
Apply →Support the fund
$2,500 keeps a student in college.
Every dollar in the Open Door fund goes to a local student's tuition. Help us send more of our graduates to college, and watch them come back to mentor the next generation.
Give to the scholarship fundYour next step
Connect with the right person.
Ask about the Open Door scholarship cycle, application process, and next steps.