Scholarship Program 2026
Growing What’s Next
Proud Roots. Same Promise: Growing What’s Next.
In 2026, Grange Insurance Association will enter a new chapter, continuing its 130-year commitment to farms, families, and the communities we serve. As we evolve, the heart of our scholarship program remains unchanged—helping people grow their future.
This year, we invite applicants to tell their story of growth - big or small, messy or masterful - through a simple, personality-driven essay.
About the Scholarship Program
We believe in building brighter futures by supporting the education and development of our communities. Our scholarship program, founded in 1965, reflects our commitment to relationships and growth. We continue to invest in the dreams of students pursuing higher education, providing them with the resources to lead and succeed.
2026 Scholarships
Available Awards — $17,500 Total
Seven scholarships will be awarded:
- 5 Academic Scholarships: For students attending accredited post-secondary institutions, including universities and colleges.
- 1 Vocational Scholarship: For students pursuing specific technical certifications or attending technical institutes focused on skill-based training in areas such as trade schools, apprenticeships, or vocational programs.
- 1 Community Scholarship: Exclusively for Rainier Scholars pursuing undergraduate studies.
Our goal is to reduce financial barriers and empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. Seven chances to win, all supporting students who are working hard to grow what’s next.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college, university, or vocational program (or high school seniors with plans to enroll in the fall) and must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Policyholder & Agency Eligibility
- Be a current GIA or Granwest Insurance policyholder (or child of a policyholder) in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming
- Be a GIA employee, or a child/stepchild of a current employee
- Be a GIA-appointed agency employee, or a child/stepchild of a current GIA-appointed agency employee
Community Scholarship Eligibility
- Must be a current student actively enrolled in the Rainier Scholars program
Additional Criteria
- Academic and Community scholarships require a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Previous scholarship recipients may reapply if they still qualify
- Children or legal wards of GIA officers or directors are ineligible
2026 Essay Prompt: “Growing What’s Next”
Tell us about something you’ve grown - a skill, a project, a relationship, or a dream. How did you nurture it, and what did you learn along the way?
We’re looking for your voice, your story, your growth. No corporate jargon, no forced values recital; just you.
Please limit your essay to 500 words.
Submission Guidelines
- Fill out the application embedded below (via Microsoft Forms)
- Email your essay and transcripts together to scholarship@grange.com (PDFs or Word Documents only. Transcripts not required for Rainier Scholar applicants.)
- Optional personality booster: Add a photo in your essay or a short description of something that represents your growth (totally optional, zero pressure)
Evaluation Criteria (50 points total)
| Category | Description | Points |
| Authenticity | Feels genuine — your real voice, not a template | 10 |
| Clarity & Effort | Well organized, clear thought, effort shows | 10 |
| Personal Connection | Meaningful story that reflects growth or purpose | 10 |
| Impact | Shows motivation to make a difference now or later | 10 |
| Creativity/Voice | Unique tone, personality, or perspective | 10 |
A genuine voice always stands out; keep it human, keep it honest.
File Naming Convention
To keep processing smooth and organized, all files must follow this naming format:
[LastName]_[FirstInitial]_[DocumentType]
Examples
- Essay: Doe_J_Essay.pdf
- Transcript: Doe_J_Transcript.pdf
File Submission Tips
- Use letters, numbers, and underscores only (no spaces or special characters)
- Submit PDF or DOCX files only
- Before submitting, double-check:
- Correct file names
- Correct file attachments
- Legibility/scan quality of transcripts
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: April 30, 2026
- Winners Notified (via email): Early June 2026
- Scholarship Fund Disbursement: July 2026
(Payments are made payable to the student, not the school. W-9 required.)
Scholarship Disbursement Details
All scholarship funds will be distributed in July 2026, paid directly to the student.
Tax Reporting
- Recipients will receive a Form 1099-MISC for the full scholarship amount.
- Funds used for qualified education expenses (tuition, required fees, books, supplies) are generally non-taxable.
- Funds used for non-qualified expenses (room & board, travel, and personal expenses) may be taxable.
Recipient Responsibility
- Report scholarship funds accurately on their tax return
- Understand how they plan to use the funds
- Minimize tax liability by applying funds toward qualified expenses
Consulting a tax professional is strongly recommended.
W-9 Form Requirement:
Before funds can be released, every scholarship recipient must submit a completed W-9 form providing their legal name and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Funds cannot be issued until W-9 is received and verified.
This information is provided to ensure recipients understand their responsibilities and can plan accordingly.
2026 Applications Are Now Open
Contact us at Scholarship@Grange.com with any questions.
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