Scholarship
Requirements
You don’t need a 4.0 GPA or a perfect resume to apply. We believe in students who show character and heart—whether you’re heading to a four-year university, community college, trade school, or technical program. If you serve others and dare to follow your own path, we want to hear from you.
What “Dare Greatly” Means to Us
The Dare Greatly Foundation is inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech and the legacy of SSgt. Tanner Romanos, who lived a life of selfless service to others. When we evaluate your application, we’re looking for students who embody these values:
Eligibility
- Must be a resident of Connecticut
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- You can apply while still waiting for college acceptance letters, but scholarship funds will only be distributed once you’ve been accepted to a higher education program and provide proof of enrollment
- A higher education program is considered to be:
- University
- Community Colleges
- Vocational Schools
- Technical Schools
- Trade Schools
Students We’re Looking For
- You serve others when no one is watching – Volunteer work that comes from genuine care, not resume-building
- You lift up those who are struggling – Special focus on helping “the broken” or overlooked
- You take risks to follow your own path – Pursuing trades, technical schools, or non-traditional routes counts just as much as university
- You show up with warmth and generosity – Creating welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of their background
- You lead through character, not just achievement – Integrity and compassion matter more than perfect grades
In Your Essay and Video
Don’t just list your accomplishments. Tell us:
- Why you serve others (what drives you?)
- How you’ve helped people who needed it most
- What “daring greatly” means in your own life
- Where you see yourself making an impact in your community
Students who understand our mission connect their own service story to Tanner’s legacy of putting others first.
Application Checklist – Everything You Need
✅ Completed online application (includes social media handles)
✅ High school transcript (must show GPA of 2.5 or higher)
✅ Personal essay (500+ words connecting your service to Dare Greatly Foundation values)
✅ Personal video (1-3 minutes on “What Dare Greatly Means to You”)
✅ Two letters of recommendation (from teachers, mentors, or employers – NOT family)
✅ Community service information (up to 3 organizations with contact details)
DEADLINE: May 15th each year
QUESTIONS: scholarships@daregreatlyfoundation.org
Application Process
Interested students should complete the online application form.
What to Include with Your Application
1. Social Media Profile Handles
Provide your social media handles so we can learn more about you.
2. Community Service & Volunteer Experience (REQUIRED)
Provide details for up to 3 volunteer activities, including:
- Organization name and contact person
- Dates and total hours served
- Description of your role and impact
Important: Community service is a core requirement of this scholarship. We’re looking for consistent, meaningful service to others—not one-time events.
Examples of strong volunteer work:
- Volunteering at community organizations, food banks, and shelters
- Tutoring or mentoring younger students
- Serving through religious organizations (beyond attending services)
- Helping elderly or disabled community members
- Supporting local nonprofits or civic groups
Note: Simply attending your own church/temple or participating in family activities does not meet this requirement. We’re looking for service to others beyond your immediate circle.
3. Personal Essay (Minimum 500 words)
Write an essay that answers: “Why do you deserve this scholarship, and how do you embody the Dare Greatly spirit?”
Your essay must include:
- Specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated compassion, integrity, and respect in your life
- Your understanding of what the Dare Greatly Foundation values (see “What Dare Greatly Means to Us” above)
- Connection to service: Describe your volunteer work and why helping others matters to you
- Your path forward: How will this scholarship help you continue serving your community?
Strong essays:
- Use specific stories, not generic statements
- Show genuine reflection on service and character
- Connect your values to the foundation’s mission
- Demonstrate understanding of Tanner’s legacy
Example of a STRONG DGF Connection: “After learning about Tanner’s commitment to helping ‘the broken,’ I reflected on my volunteer work at the homeless shelter. Like Tanner, I’ve found that the most meaningful service happens when we show up for people society overlooks…”
Example of a WEAK Connection: “I deserve this scholarship because I work hard and get good grades. I volunteer at my church sometimes…”
4. High School Transcript
Submit your official high school transcript showing a minimum GPA of 2.5.
5. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Letters must be from a teacher, mentor, or employer (cannot be a relative or family member). Strong letters will speak to your character, integrity, and commitment to serving others.
6. Personal Video
Length: 1-3 minutes (minimum 45 seconds)
Prompt: “What Does Daring Greatly Mean to You?”
What we want to hear:
- Share a specific moment when you took a risk to help someone or stand up for what’s right
- Tell us what Tanner’s story means to you after learning about him
- Explain how you see yourself continuing this legacy of service
Format: Can be filmed on your phone – authenticity matters more than production quality
Be yourself: We value genuine, heartfelt responses over rehearsed perfection
Scoring Method
We use a structured rubric to fairly and consistently evaluate all scholarship applications. Each application is assessed based on the following criteria:
- GPA Requirement: Applicants must have a GPA above 2.5 (Yes/No). Only applicants with a GPA above 2.5 will be evaluated. Transcripts must be submitted to verify GPA.
- Personal Essay: Scored on a scale of 1-10, evaluating why you deserve this scholarship and how you embody compassion, integrity, and respect.
- Personal Video: Scored on a scale of 1-10, assessing presentation, passion, and message regarding “What Dare Greatly Means to You.”
- Letters of Recommendation: Awarded 1 additional point if provided.
- Community Involvement: Scored on a scale of 1-10, recognizing engagement and impact in your community.
- Alignment with Foundation Values: Scored on a scale of 1-10, measuring how well the applicant embodies the philosophy and spirit of the Dare Greatly Foundation.
Each category contributes to the final assessment, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of each applicant.
Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed by the Dare Greatly advisory board.
- The advisory board will select the recipients based on final scoring of all applicants.
- Decisions will be made by May 15 of each year.
Notification
- All applicants will be notified via email after final decisions have been made.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, we will contact you directly to discuss the details for receiving funds, proper use of funds, etc.
- Generally, the scholarships are presented at a school assembly or other event with your school’s leadership.
Award Amount
The Dare Greatly Foundation will award ten (10) one-thousand dollar ($1,000) scholarships each year.
Contact Information
For more information about the scholarship fund, please contact us online or by emailing us at scholarships@daregreatlyfoundation.org.
We are committed to supporting the academic, personal growth, and character development of our recipients, and we look forward to receiving your application.