Who are we looking for?
Most scholarships today are considered need-based or merit-based. We look at things differently. We seek students who want to become effective adults and demonstrate the potential to do so. We don't have a magic formula to identify the "best" candidates; we do our best to ask questions that let you tell us about yourself unabashedly and authentically. We learn from each application cycle; gain new insights and refine our process for future applicants.
We believe students and their families should understand how we evolved into our current structure. In our early days, we had limited financial resources and granted modest scholarships to students who learned about us through word of mouth. After learning from our students about the challenges they faced, the skyrocketing cost of a college education and the long-term impact of these life choices on our student and their families, we increased our financial support, began coaching and funding more students. We modified our mission to Helping students become effective adults. We encouraged referrals from high schools, employers, friends and families; or those who discovered us otherwise.
We continue to evolve as we continue to learn from and be advised by our students and alumni. Today, our mission has expanded to: Helping students become effective adults and helping effective adults become inspired leaders. Our hope is that our ZF community of students and alumni become our future leaders.
We have a small staff, a very active Student Advisory Group, and a growing, dedicated coaching team that help us identify and work with ZF students.
We believe students and their families should understand how we evolved into our current structure. In our early days, we had limited financial resources and granted modest scholarships to students who learned about us through word of mouth. After learning from our students about the challenges they faced, the skyrocketing cost of a college education and the long-term impact of these life choices on our student and their families, we increased our financial support, began coaching and funding more students. We modified our mission to Helping students become effective adults. We encouraged referrals from high schools, employers, friends and families; or those who discovered us otherwise.
We continue to evolve as we continue to learn from and be advised by our students and alumni. Today, our mission has expanded to: Helping students become effective adults and helping effective adults become inspired leaders. Our hope is that our ZF community of students and alumni become our future leaders.
We have a small staff, a very active Student Advisory Group, and a growing, dedicated coaching team that help us identify and work with ZF students.
A college education requires a significant investment of time and money. We think of ourselves as co-investors with our students, their families and their schools. We recognize that every situation is unique and that family participation depends on financial resources and emotional support; and these may change over time.
When considering a student, we explore three dimensions:
When considering a student, we explore three dimensions:
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Academic Determination
Education is the primary career of high school and college students. At ZF, we examine academic performance to measure how effectively students commit to their academic career, not to measure how smart the student is. Their approach and determination are more important than their final grades. Do they seek help when needed? Do they help others? How do they prioritize and balance academic and non-academic commitments? |
Financial Accountability
Financial resources dictate lifestyle, but do not dictate life values. How we manage our financial resources, whether great or small, reflects our personal sense of reality & accountability. Do you have a plan on how to approach paying for college? Have you discussed this plan as a family? Did you help financially support your family while attending school? While not a determining factor, financial need may be taken into consideration when determining grant amount. |
Personal Values
While intangible, values are the pathway to being an effective adult. Academic determination and financial accountability provide some insight into values, but non-academic activities often highlight real core values. We value self-awareness, financial accountability and the pursuit of life-long learning; and, perhaps most importantly, we seek students who embrace their interdependence and search for win/win solutions to their challenges. |
Quite simply, we are looking for students who are exceptional in their environments.