Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Dane G. Hansen Educational Scholarships

Description
The Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships are competitive awards administered by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to support students from northwest Kansas pursuing four‑year degrees at accredited Kansas colleges and universities. The program emphasizes leadership, character, and academic preparedness and is one of several scholarship tracks run by the Foundation. Administration includes qualifying testing, interviews for selected applicants, and annual evaluation of recipients.

Key takeaways
- Competitive scholarship program for students from northwest Kansas.
- Supports students attending accredited four‑year Kansas institutions.
- Involves qualifying tests, interviews, and annual recipient review.

History of the award
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 from the estate of Dane G. Hansen, an entrepreneur involved in retail, lumber, construction, and oil. The foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life across the 26 counties of northwest Kansas, reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong attachment to the region. Scholarship programs are a central vehicle for fulfilling that mission by investing in local youth.

Key takeaways
- Foundation created in 1965 from Dane G. Hansen’s estate.
- Mission: improve quality of life in northwest Kansas.
- Scholarships are a core program of the Foundation’s community investment.

Award value
The Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow awards carry significant financial support to make college affordable for recipients. Seven Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships may be awarded each cycle. Each scholarship provides a $10,000 stipend in the first year.

Key takeaways
- Up to seven Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships available.
- $10,000 stipend awarded for the first year.
- Financial support is intended to meaningfully offset college costs.

Renewal and conditions
Scholarships may be renewed for up to three additional years, contingent on annual review and continued adherence to program standards. Renewal requires maintenance of a 3.00 or better college GPA, submission of college transcripts each year, and a progress update describing progress toward educational goals. Recipients must be enrolled full‑time, on campus, at an accredited four‑year Kansas institution to remain eligible.

Key takeaways
- Renewable for up to three additional years (four years total).
- Renewal criteria: 3.00+ college GPA, annual transcript, and progress update.
- Recipients must be full‑time, on‑campus students at an accredited Kansas four‑year school.

Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to students who live in or attend school within a specified 26‑county area of northwest Kansas and who are graduating high school in the current academic year. The eligible counties are Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace. Applicants must be full‑time seniors from accredited public, private, independent, or registered home schools in that area; students planning to attend an out‑of‑state college should not apply.

Key takeaways
- Open to current high school seniors from 26 named northwest Kansas counties.
- Eligible school types: accredited public, private, independent, or registered home schools.
- Applicants who will attend out‑of‑state colleges are ineligible.

Selection criteria
Final scholarship decisions are made by the Scholarship Committee based on a mix of academic and personal qualities. The Committee evaluates moral and leadership qualities demonstrated through school, community, church, Scout, and other activities, with emphasis on diligence and responsibility in chosen tasks. Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication; additional factors include test performance and interview impressions when applicable.

Key takeaways
- Committee evaluates leadership, character, and diligence.
- Written and verbal proficiency are required.
- Performance on qualifying tests and interviews influence final selection.

Application process and timeline
High school principals or counselors are responsible for registering students who plan to take the qualifying test; they must submit the registration list to the Hansen Foundation office by the stated deadline (for example: prior to September 4, 2026). The Foundation provides schools with testing packets and notification materials; counselors should confirm test dates, times, and locations with students. Students selected for interviews will receive instructions and a request for reference questionnaires.

Key takeaways
- School counselors/principals register students and submit lists to the Foundation by the posted deadline.
- The Foundation supplies test details to schools and media.
- Interviewees receive separate instructions and reference request forms.

Required materials for testing and interview
On the day of testing, students must bring an official transcript with GPA and class rank clearly circled, proof of ACT score (as applicable), and a resume detailing current high school courses, college credit already earned or in progress, and work/community activities. To be eligible for some academic scholarship tests, students must have an ACT composite score of 23 or higher from a single test and a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.50; superscores are not accepted. Applicants selected for interviews must ensure three reference questionnaires are submitted—applications lacking three references will not be considered.

Key takeaways
- Test‑day packet: official transcript (GPA/rank circled), proof of ACT score, and a detailed resume.
- Some scholarships require ACT ≥23 and unweighted GPA ≥3.50 from a single test; superscores not accepted.
- Interviewees must provide three reference questionnaires to remain eligible for selection.

Payment and tax information
Scholarship payments are issued directly to the recipient’s chosen college or university after the Hansen Foundation receives certification of full‑time enrollment. Funds are administered for the exclusive educational use of the honorees and drawn according to the administering agency’s procedures. Scholarship funds may be partially taxable: amounts used for tuition, fees, and required course materials are generally tax‑free for degree candidates, while portions applied to room and board are typically taxable; recipients are responsible for recordkeeping and any required tax filings.

Key takeaways
- Payments made to the college upon certification of full‑time enrollment.
- Educational expenses (tuition, fees, books) are generally tax‑free; room and board may be taxable.
- Recipients must maintain records of funds received and expenses and handle tax reporting as required.