The PUSH Excel Scholarship Program was created to assist young people who are qualified but lack the financial resources to attend college. The goal of the program is to develop servant leadership potential in the scholarship students and encourage a spirit of social justice and social change.

College is the key to economic freedom for all Americans, yet a college degree is becoming less and less affordable for the average student in the U.S. Over the past several years, PUSH Excel has awarded over three million dollars to deserving students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. PUSH Excel Scholars attend a variety of institutions and we take pride in the fact that ninety percent of PUSH Excel Scholars graduate from college.

PUSH Excel makes a number of awards each year through three named scholarships: Jesse Jackson Fellows (scholarship applications returns 2021), Ora Lee Sanders, and Cirilo McSween. Scholarship recipients will be selected from the pool of applicants who apply for a particular scholarship and meet the minimum criteria provided in the guidelines. There are no geographical limitations–applicants are selected from across the nation.

Applicants should apply for the scholarship that best fits their particular situation. You may apply for only one scholarship in a particular year and, if awarded a renewable scholarship, may not apply for a different scholarship in subsequent years. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of educators and corporate executives.

Staff or board members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition or its affiliates and children or immediate family members of staff or board members are not eligible to participate in the PUSH Excel Scholarship Program.

Scholarship recipients are required to participate in the scholarship event at the Rainbow PUSH annual conference and will agree to cooperate with the scholarship committee to promote the PUSH Excel Scholarship Program by participating in various events and public relations activities. There are also a number of additional requirements PUSH Excel asks scholarship recipients to agree to regarding their involvement with the organization that will be explained when a scholarship offer is made.