#United States #Sacramento #Student-Athletes #Courage Award #CalHOPE

CalHOPE Courage Award Scholarship Program

The CalHOPE Courage Award Scholarship Program has recently been launched to honor the incredible resilience of California high school senior student-athletes who have triumphed over personal adversities. With a total funding pot of $62,500, this initiative aims to reward those who have not only shown excellence in sports but have also overcome significant challenges in their lives.

This program builds upon the success of three years recognizing collegiate student-athletes through the CalHOPE Courage Award initiative. Backed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), this new scholarship program highlights the power of support and community in fostering resilience among youth.

Scholarship Details

Each recipient of the scholarship will receive $2,500, and a $500 grant will be awarded to their high school athletic department to assist future student-athletes. The selection process for honorees will run until June 2026, with a specialized panel of mental health advocates from CalHOPE choosing recipients on a monthly basis. The chosen scholars will have their inspiring comeback stories shared publicly, allowing them to impact peers facing similar struggles.

The Importance of Resilience

Autumn Boylan, Deputy Director of DHCS's Office of Strategic Partnerships, expressed pride in recognizing the determination of young athletes in California. She stated, “By telling their stories, they can remind other young people that resilience is built through community support. We hope these scholarships—and the example set by each recipient—will encourage others to seek help and keep moving forward.” This sentiment underscores the program's goal to motivate students who are enduring hard times, ensuring they understand that they are not alone in their struggles.

How to Apply

Applications for the scholarship are open until May 1, 2026, at the dedicated website, CalHOPECourageAwardScholarship.org. Interested high school seniors who are willing to share their personal journeys must complete a couple of brief essays detailing their adversities and achievements in high school athletics. Each application allows students to be considered for all future monthly awards, increasing their chances of receiving support throughout the scholarship cycle.

About CalHOPE

CalHOPE is a comprehensive campaign curated by DHCS that aims to connect individuals with critical mental health resources during times of crisis. It provides essential behavioral health crisis counseling programs and promotes strength-based strategies focusing on building resilience in the community. To further aid the well-being of athletes and other young individuals, CalHOPE collaborates with the California Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. For more information on available resources, individuals can reach out via the program’s warm line at (833) 317-HOPE (4673) or explore its offerings on the official website, www.calhope.org.

With this initiative, CalHOPE shines a light on the strength of youth in overcoming challenges, aiming to inspire a new generation of student-athletes in California to strive for excellence against all odds.