Hope Forward

The Big Idea

College has gotten too expensive. Hope College is doing something about it. Our long-term ambition is that every single student who comes through Hope receives tuition fully-funded up front. Graduates will then pay it forward: commit to donating to Hope College so future students can have the same transformational experience.

This is an entirely new way of thinking about funding college.

It transforms:

• Your college education into preparation to pursue impact, not income to pay off student debt
• Your college experience into a relationship based on gratitude and generosity, not a transaction between an organization and its customers
• Your college costs from bill-paying into generous giving

HOW IT WORKS

Forty students with big hearts, open minds and a God-given passion to bring Hope to the world will: 

• Receive a Hope College education with tuition fully-funded by the generous gifts of others
• Participate in the Hope Forward cohort — to prepare yourself and other Hope Forward students to pursue lives of impact in the world
• As alumni, graduates of this program will commit to paying it forward — donating to Hope College so that future students can have the same transformational experience

Connect with an Admissions rep about Hope Forward 

Program Details

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Hope Forward Program equips students to bring hope to the world by pursuing a life of positive impact. The program will provide experiences for learning, reflection and growth focused on the three pillars of Hope Forward — community, access and generosity. As a community of learners, the cohort will attend seminars, take a course together, and participate in retreats and service learning.

EXPECTATIONS

Students can expect to commit 5–10 hours a month to the Hope Forward Program, with programming spanning the duration of a student's college experience. Students are also highly encouraged to complete one semester of off-campus study.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Some highlights of the Hope Forward program include dinner with the president, off-campus retreats, the development of a portfolio, mentorship and active participation in campus-wide traditions like One Big Weekend, Time to Serve and Day of Giving.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Participation in the Hope Forward Program does not inhibit participation in other programs (Phelps Scholars, Day 1 Watershed, athletics, dance, etc… ).
• The Hope Forward Program is not a living-learning community. Students may live in any residential housing unit of their choice/assignment.
• We hope students graduate from the program with a commitment to:
• Be a lifelong learner active in their communities
• Engage with areas of hopelessness out of a personal hope and abundance
• Generously give to create positive impact locally, globally and at Hope College

Learn more about the Hope Forward student experience 

Questions?

Carrie Olesh

Associate Director of Admissions

Carrie Olesh is the Hope Forward application coordinator and is responsible for recruiting students to Hope from the Pacific Northwest and the Northeastern United States.