Last Dollar Grants

Last Dollar Grant Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Last Dollar Grant and how can students apply for one?

A Last Dollar Grant is a need-based, renewable scholarship offered to qualified Newark City School graduates. To be considered, students must graduate from Newark High School after 1991 or Newark City Schools Digital after 2018, maintain a required GPA, be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or technical school, meet the financial aid requirements, and demonstrate need according to the federal financial aid formula.

How can students to be considered for a Last Dollar Grant?

After successfully filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa students will then be asked to submit the following documents to A Call to College:

Student Aid Report (SAR): A FAFSA summary of the family's financial eligibility for federal and state aid. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Financial Aid Award Letter: A letter from the college financial aid office sent (by email, mail, or via student portal) to admitted students, describing the aid offered.
Grade Point Average: For high school seniors, grade point average will be obtained by A Call to College. Past Newark graduates must submit an unofficial copy of their college transcript including the cumulative grade point average.

Where can students find the full list of guidelines and an application?

Please visit our Forms page to download the Last Dollar Grant Guidelines and complete the online Last Dollar Grant Application.

Can a student renew a Last Dollar Grant?

Newark City Schools graduates are encouraged to reapply each year. Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 per year for four years of funding, provided that a 2.0 cumulative grade point average is maintained in college and need is determined. Complete and return the application in , as well as provide a Student Aid Report, award letter and unofficial transcript.

How are Last Dollar Grants funded?

Thanks to the generosity of Newark High School alumni, school personnel, community members, foundations, friends, and business and industry, a permanent endowment was established in 1991. Income from this endowment and generous annual donations fund Last Dollar Grants each year. If you are interested in learning how to make a donation that will continue to open doors, change lives and build futures, please click HERE.

"The Last Dollar Grant that A Call to College provides to NHS graduates has been a tremendous help to me and is an awesome benefit to all qualified grads. As a student who doesn't rely on my family financially, being able to save a total of $4,000 over four years off my Denison bill has been incredible."

Ryan Drumm '14

Denison University '18

Last Dollar Grant recipient Carmen Bishop (NHS '19), an English major at OSU Newark, is serving her 4th year as a paid intern for the organization. Past interns include: Brittany Butler (NHS '16), Amanda Hunt (NHS '12), Alivia Gaulke (NHS '10), Noah Pape (NHS '07), Brynne Bartlett (NHS '06) and Katie Null (NHS '04)