F.A.Q's

Q. Who can apply for RMHC scholarships?

A. Current high school seniors living in northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Students from rural communities as far south as Tonopah are eligible to apply. Students in Elko should apply for scholarships through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Salt Lake City. (ask for reciprical link)

Q. How do I apply for the RMHC Scholarhship?

A.  You may download the application off of our site, or you may apply online beginning November 2007.   If you apply online please remember to mail in the supporting documents.  Your application is not completed unless these documents are submitted. 

Q. What are the GPA guidelines for applicants?

A. GPA is only one criteria that we use to evaluate applicants. The committee also looks at what classes a student has taken, the difficulty level of those classes, and whether the student had demonstrated improvement and faced academic challenges.

Q. What evaluation criteria are used?

A. The committee uses six criteria: grades, family’s dynamic, financial situation, academic goals and future plans, work and volunteer experience, including awards and special honors, and any other special circumstances. The committee carefully evaluates the personal letter written by the student and the letter of recommendation. 

Q. Who decides if I get an award?

A. A volunteer committee of diverse individuals raises funds for scholarships and evaluates applications. All of these community members are committed to helping students achieve. Because this committee volunteers, there are no administrative costs, which means more money for awards.

Q. Do you award a certain number of scholarships per high school?

A. No. We encourage as many applicants as possible, regardless of the high school they attend.

Q. Where can RMHC scholarships be used?

A. RMHC scholarships can be used at any accredited school, including trade schools, technical institutes, community colleges, and out-of-state schools.

Q. What else do I need to do besides fill out an application?

A. You need to write a personal letter, send your official school transcript, copy your parents’ tax paperwork, and have a letter of recommendation written for you by a teacher or a counselor.

Q. How and when will I know if I receive an award?

A. RMHC will notify you in writing in April.

Q. When is the scholarship awards ceremony? Who can attend?

A. The awards ceremony is in May. Each scholarship recipient can bring two guests, typically mom and dad, to the ceremony and dessert banquet. Additional guests may attend for a nominal fee.

Q. What do I have to do to claim my scholarship?

A. You must send RMHC a final high school transcript showing graduation and a document from the college or school that you’ve enrolled in showing the number of credits that you’ll be taking for fall semester.  You must go full time, beginning in the fall semester.

Q. When will I receive my check?

A. Checks are sent to the school no later than October 15.

Q. Is the RMHC scholarship renewable? 

A. Beginning in 2006, receipents of the RMHC Scholarships are renewable.   This is not automatic.  The renewable awards will be selected only from the pool of the 2006 receipents, must have attended full time both semesters, and submit a 300 word essay by June 15, 2007.   Submit essay and copy of transcript to RMHC, 323 Maine Street, Reno, NV  89502 or to info@RMHC-Reno.org   The essay question is:  What successes and obstacles have you had this past year?   The RMHC Scholarship Committee will select students for the second year awards and will post the winners on our website in July.

Q.  Does RMHC track their students progress?

A.  We would like to know how well our receipents have done in their college work.  Beginning in the spring of 2007 we will be surveying all receipents to mearsure their progress.  Contact Mary O'Brien if you have any questions regarding the survey results.

If you have additional questions, please contact Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada. If you’ve already submitted your application, please call 1-866-851-3994 to answer questions about the status of your scholarship application.