Take a Shot at This $200K Scholarship from NBA Player Derrick Rose

In the game of life, leadership skills and drive are important to success. NBA player Derrick Rose is looking for high school students with those qualities to apply to his newly formed scholarship program.

Last week, Rose launched the Rose Scholars Scholarship Competition, which will award one high school student up to $200,000 toward his or her future college expenses. The grand prize scholarship winner will receive $25,000 each semester over four years to be used for tuition, books, housing and food.

The scholarship program will also award two other students up to $20,000 each for tuition and housing costs to cover one year of college expenses.

“Through this initiative, we are hoping to empower the next generation to pursue their dreams,” the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday, announcing the scholarship program.

The scholarship is open to civic-minded U.S. high school students in their sophomore, junior or senior year. A family member or friend could also apply on behalf of a deserving student.

Students need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for the scholarship and have an SAT score of 1230 or higher and/or an ACT score of 21 or higher. To complete the application form, students must write an essay describing — in 600 words or less — what they’ve achieved in their lives thus far and how this scholarship will “change the game” for them.

Applicants must also upload a photo or video to their social media accounts that shows how and why they’ve been a leader in their community and includes #RoseScholars2018 in their caption.

The application period ends September 30, 2018. Scholarship winners will be announced on or about October 15, 2018.

Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.