Scholarships for Gritty, Hardworking Rural Women
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Details
The Rural Gone Urban Foundation Scholarship Program is open to rural female students across the United States who are pursuing post-secondary education. Eligible applicants may attend public, private, or homeschool institutions and must plan to enroll in, or currently be enrolled in, an accredited college or university, trade school, or professional training program.
Applicants may be high school seniors, undergraduate students, or graduate students who have been accepted to or are actively enrolled in a reputable post-secondary institution.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need and a proven record of strong work ethic.
There is no minimum GPA requirement for this scholarship.
A total of $10,000 will be awarded during the 2026 scholarship cycle. Award amounts and the number of recipients will be determined at the discretion of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation Scholarship Committee.
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Scholarship Committee
Our scholarship committee is composed of dedicated volunteers representing a range of professional industries. Each member shares a common thread: she was once a rural student herself, defined by grit, drive, and a willingness to work.
Having navigated the realities and limitations that often accompany a rural education, our committee members understand the obstacles firsthand. That perspective informs every decision they make. They are committed to identifying and supporting the next generation of rural women who are willing to work for what comes next.In addition to their professional backgrounds, all committee members have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to safeguard the privacy and data of all applicants. Your information is secure with us.
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2026 Scholarship Timeline
Applications open March 24, 2026.
Applications close March 31, 2026.Recipients will be announced in April 2026.
The specific announcement date will be determined based on the volume of applications received and the time required for thorough review by the volunteer scholarship committee.
Why does the Rural Gone Urban Foundation Scholarship Exist?
As a high school senior, Brooke Taylor was told by her guidance counselor that college was not the right path for her. It was a defining moment. With the support of family, friends, and scholarship funding, she chose not to accept that ceiling. Through grit, discipline, and belief in her own potential, Brooke earned two degrees and built a career in agriculture that took her across the country and around the world.
The Rural Gone Urban Foundation was established in March 2022 to ensure that students like Brooke — the ones who may not top the GPA charts but show up early, stay late, and work — have access to opportunity. The scholarship exists for the B and C students with ambition, for rural young women who are willing to invest in themselves and do the work required to move forward.
The foundation was born during one of Brooke’s most uncertain seasons, following an upgrade to stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. In that moment, she made a decision: her daughter would grow up watching brave and strong women pursue education, build businesses, and face what comes with steady resolve. The scholarship program is one expression of that promise.
Application Tips
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Be detailed
Do not assume we know anything about you. We don’t. We have not met you, heard of you, or seen you show up at 5 a.m. to work before school.
This is your one shot to let us into your world. Tell us what your life actually looks like. The early mornings. The hard jobs. The responsibilities no one sees. The why behind your work.
Specific beats generic. Every time.
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Be real
We review hundreds of applications. We can spot a highlight reel from a mile away.
We are not looking for perfect. We are looking for substance. Character. Ownership. The part of your story that made you who you are.
Make us feel something. Make us laugh. Make us tear up. Just do not give us something written by a robot. If it sounds like everyone else, it will disappear like everyone else.
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Be honest
Every scholarship committee member has signed a nondisclosure agreement. What you share stays here.
If you have walked through something hard, you are safe to say so. If you have made a mistake and learned from it, say that too. Growth matters more than polish.
We value truth over performance.
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Ask for help
Talk to someone who knows you well. A teacher. A coach. A boss. A parent. A friend.
They might remind you of the time you stayed late. The time you showed up when no one else did. The quiet thing you did that felt small but was not.
Sometimes the people around you see your grit more clearly than you do.
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Review
Even the most renown authors have an editor. Review your application before submission.
Clean writing shows care, but understand this: we will not disqualify you over a misplaced comma. We care far more about heart than punctuation.
Just make sure it sounds like you. Not Google. Not ChatGPT. You.
When a storm rolls in, most animals run with it.
Bison do not.
They turn and walk straight into it.
By facing the storm head on, they spend less time in it.
Education can feel like that. Especially in rural communities. Limited resources. Doubt from others. Financial pressure. The quiet belief that maybe this path is not meant for you.
The Rural Gone Urban Foundation Scholarship exists for the young women who turn into that wind anyway. The ones who choose the harder road because they know what waits on the other side. The ones willing to work. To stretch. To bet on themselves.
We support rural female students who are ready to step forward, even when the forecast says otherwise.
Turn into it. We will meet you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Census Bureau defines rural as any population, housing, or territory not in an urban area. This definition is closely tied to its urban definition, of which there are two geographical types:
"Urbanized Areas" have a population of 50,000 or more.
"Urban Clusters" have a population between 2,500 and 50,000.
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Applicants will create an account when applying for scholarships, which will allow all applicants to review and edit as needed prior to submission.
Additionally, if an applicant is not awarded a scholarship, they can access their previous application information to resubmit for upcoming award cycles. -
Ideal references can speak on behalf of their first-hand knowledge of an applicants work ethic, character, and/or financial need.
Our committee created a guide for asking for a recommendation. -
The Rural Gone Urban Foundation invested in a platform to respect applicants’ private information, reduce unconscious bias, and to streamline the application process for applicants.
We use Good Grants. -
Scholarships will be awarded directly to students via check June 2024.
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Recipients are encouraged to exercise their discretion in utilizing the scholarships to achieve their educational objectives. This may include covering expenses such as tuition, fees, rent, food, books, and/or supplies as deemed necessary by the recipient.
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Two minimum, three maximum.
You will upload .PDF letters of recommendation directly to your portal. -
Yes.
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The Rural Gone Urban Foundation is funded by individual and corporate donations.
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Yes.
Still have questions?
Please share, in detail, what questions or clarifications you have or need. Submissions are directed to Scholarship Committee chair, Taylor Rogers Bolin.