Section A. FAQ – Scholarship Programs

For Students

1. What is The Imagine Fund?

The Imagine Fund is a Michigan nonprofit organization formed to promote college access and attainment of a college degree through scholarship awards to students who are academically qualified and economically challenged. The Imagine Fund was founded due to implications on donor-based scholarships imposed by Proposal 2006-02, Michigan’s constitutional amendment prohibiting affirmative action in the public sector of our state. Accordingly, our scholarship granting organization has a particular interest in providing opportunities for students who are of color, first generation, and otherwise historically underserved in higher education.

We will award our inaugural signature scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year. The Imagine Fund raises funds for its own signature scholarships. We also provide a broad and flexible tool through which donors can proudly and openly support diversity in Michigan higher education by funding scholarships for highly qualified students with financial need. Through our organization, a donor can invest in diversity:

a. In all its many forms – including but not limited to gender, racial and ethnic diversity. Our focus is on helping assure members of under-represented groups to access higher education (this includes groups that are under-represented in higher education both generally and in particular fields of study)

b. Among students from any part of the state

c. For students attending any Michigan college or university of their choosing, public or private

2. What are The Imagine Fund scholarship programs?

For the 2010-11 academic year, there are three programs: The Imagine Fund signature scholarship, the Steelcase Scholar, and the Health Alliance Plan scholarship programs.

3. What is Steelcase Inc.?

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Steelcase Inc. is an international office furniture leader that provides innovative products and solutions. It is a company with a global reach, founded in 1912 by individuals with a strong commitment to integrity and doing the right thing for their customers, business partners, associates, neighbors and employees. This core principle continues to this day and includes a long, vital history of corporate citizenship. Steelcase is committed to building a culture of inclusion by fostering understanding and respect in communities where the company is located and employees live and work. Among the many focus areas of Steelcase’s corporate community citizenship are education and diversity, which are core to The Imagine Fund mission and efforts. The Imagine Fund is grateful to Steelcase for its leadership in providing philanthropic support to establish an endowed scholarship that will help students from Kent County realize their dream of a college degree.

4. What is the Health Alliance Plan?

Based in Detroit, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is a nonprofit health plan providing organization with highly regarded national leadership in the managed healthcare industry. It provides innovative, affordable health coverage to companies ranging from two to tens of thousands of employees. HAP’s mission is to enhance the well-being of lives it touches and the organization is guided by its simple credo of affordable access to quality health care and preventive medicine. The Imagine Fund is grateful to the Health Alliance Plan for making it possible for a student to advance his/her education in a health care field during the next academic year.

5. How does The Imagine Fund define the word “diversity”?

We define “diversity” in the broadest sense, and include gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability status, religious and other cultural differences.

6. What is meant by The Imagine Fund’s “inaugural year”?

The Imagine Fund is awarding its very first scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year. Lessons learned from this experience will allow us to refine our scholarship application and award process in the future.

7. What is considered full-time?

Full-time status requires enrollment in a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours in a given semester.

8. What is a pipeline program?

A pipeline program is often referred to as a “college readiness” program that students can participate in during junior, middle or high school.

9. What does “first generation” mean?

First generation means you are the first person in your family, including your parents, who has enrolled or attended a college class.

10. Do the three programs have the exact same requirements?

No. While there are six required award conditions for each of the programs, there are other selection criteria unique for each program. It is very important to carefully read the description of each program found under the "Scholarships" section of this website.

11. What does a scholarship cover?

An expectation of all scholarship recipients is that their award be used only for tuition, fees and other expenses related to university level classes.

12. How are award amounts determined?

Each of The Imagine Fund Signature Scholarships will be a maximum of $5,000, and will be individually determined based on the “last dollar” financial need of each respective finalist. The Steelcase Scholars Program and Health Alliance Plan Scholarships will be awarded based on funds available and number of applicants.

13. Is an internship or summer job included with a scholarship offer?

As a Steelcase Scholar, recipients will be provided an opportunity to apply for a paid internship with Steelcase Inc. Over time, The Imagine Fund hopes to identify more donors who, like Steelcase Inc., are able to make real-life professional opportunities available to our awardees.

14. Are these scholarships renewable?

Renewal depends on the individual scholarship. For 2010-11, the Steelcase Scholars award is renewable through degree completion without complete reapplication and selection provided the recipient: is enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours; is in satisfactory academic standing as defined by the university and the specific academic program/major; and communicates to The Imagine Fund one’s current academic status and interest in continuing the scholarship. For The Imagine Fund Signature Scholarship, there is a possibility of renewal provided specific criteria are met; but automatic renewal is not assured. Scholarship recipients will receive more information on renewal. The Health Alliance Plan Scholarship is for one year only.

15. Does The Imagine Fund intend on awarding more scholarships in the future?

Yes, we anticipate multiple award sources and expanded criteria for scholarships as our organization grows in the coming years. Updated information about scholarship opportunities will be routinely posted on this website.

16. If I know someone who might like to donate to The Imagine Fund for future scholarships, to whom should I refer them?

We would be delighted to hear from any potential donor. Please share their name and contact information with us or have them contact the Vice President of Development directly by e-mail at tifinfo@theimaginefund.com or by phone at 517.316.1430 .

Return to the main FAQ page for additional information.