US High-School Students · Grades 9–12
The Hariom Impact Scholarship Challenge
Open to any current US high-school student, grades 9 through 12. Show us how you'd turn a real humanitarian problem into a working plan the world can actually use. Skill-based challenge. Awarded on merit + community vote. Winners' scholarships are paid directly to the college — never to the student or family.
First place scholarship, paid directly to the winner's US college for tuition, fees, or books.
Second place scholarship, same college-direct payment model.
Awarded to the finalist with the most confirmed community votes.
Bonus award voted on by students and donors on the site. One vote per verified account.
Who can apply
- Any current US high-school student in grades 9–12 (or homeschool equivalent). You do not have to be a senior.
- Intending to enroll at an accredited US college or university after high school.
- Must be a verified student on hariomhelps.com. Applicants under 18 only need to upload a signed parent/guardian consent form later — if they are selected as a finalist or winner, or funded by a donor.
- Board members, staff, judges, and their immediate families are ineligible.
What you'll submit
Unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link. Explain the problem, your solution, and your first real step.
The problem, your model, who benefits, cost per beneficiary, and how it scales.
PDF/PNG/JPG. Visualize the pipeline: input → engine → outcome.
Proof you started: pilot photo, petition signatures, launched site, funds raised, etc.
How you'll be judged
- Humanitarian impact (20) — depth of the problem, size of the population helped.
- Feasibility (20) — realistic given resources, not vaporware.
- Originality (15) — genuine idea, not a well-known project renamed.
- Academic & service profile (10) — coursework, service, initiative.
- Evidence of first step (10) — you did something already.
- Communication (5) — the video and infographic land the idea.
- Community vote (up to 20 bonus points) — awarded after judging.
Minimum 50 judge points required to be considered for the Grand Prize or Runner-Up. Tie-breaks go to higher Humanitarian score, then Feasibility. No random elements — decisions are transparent.
The journey & timing
Milestones for this cycle. Dates are published here and updated in place if anything shifts.
- Applications openTBA
- Applications closeTBA
- Judging beginsTBA
- Finalists announcedTBA
- Community voting opensTBA
- Voting closesTBA
- Winners announcedTBA
- Scholarship paid to college byTBA
Scholarships are paid directly to the accredited US college the winner enrolls in. If the winner does not enroll by September 30, 2027, the award is returned to the foundation's general fund to help other students.