SHS Scholarship Program

December 9, 2026

Scholarships are donated by community members and alumni of Superior schools.

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Class of 2026 was awarded a total of $417,000 in scholarships!!!

Pathways for Scholarships

1. General scholarships
• Most offered for one year only
• Private/individual donations
• Several renewable scholarships (1-4 years)

2. Nelson Scholarships

• Renewable for 4 years

3. Community Scholarships

• Not affiliated with SHS but shared on behalf of community organizations (separate applications and criteria)

General Scholarships

• All graduating seniors are eligible to apply for the general scholarships.
• Must have a minimum of a 2.0 G.P.A at the time of the application deadline.
• Every 2026 applicant who met the G.P. A requirement was awarded at least one scholarship
• Some scholarships have criteria established by the source of the scholarship and the applicant must meet the criteria to be the recipient.

List of Scholarships - Click Scholarship tab

• Students who apply for the Nelson Scholarships are automatically entered into the general scholarships and do not need to complete the general application.

*We have 135 named scholarships.

Where to Find the General Application

• Find applications:
• In your email - Thursday, Dec. 10
• On the Scholarship website
• On the Xello website
• YOU MUST MAKE A COPY - rename last name, first name- must be completed and submitted by the student
• Complete application and share/email to
• scholarship@superior.k12.wi.us
• Complete Google Form - Do not forget this step! Applications are not considered complete without this.

General Application

Where to Find Nelson Application

• Find applications:
• In your email - Thursday, Dec. 10
• On the Scholarship website
• On the Xello website
• YOU MUST MAKE A COPY - rename last name, first name- must be completed and submitted by the student
• Complete application and share/email to
• scholarship@superior.k12.wi.us
• Complete Google Form - Do not forget this step, applications are not considered complete without this.

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Nelson Application

Nelson Selection Process

1. All applicants are given an identification number once the application is turned in. Names remain anonymous to the committee until the finalists are selected.
2. Students must complete a writing prompt/sample (at scheduled date and time).
3. Finalists are selected following the writing sample; based on combination of the scholarship score, ACT score, and writing sample score. *The ranking of each applicant is still kept confidential even with finalists named.
4. If selected as a finalist, you will then be asked to complete:
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• Department recognitions
• Interview
5. Number of finalists varies each year and depends on the strength of the class. Number of Nelson Scholarships awarded also varies based on the strength of the class.
1. Final points sheet is by identification number and ranked in order of highest to lowest

- Amounts awarded are based on the final overall scores and based on

point total differences

Nelson Scholarship

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Must have cum 3.5 GPA, 26 credits and 3 AP/PLTW classes to qualify/apply

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Components - - Scoring Criteria for class of 2026

1. SHS Scholarship Score: 25%
2. ACT Score: 20%
3. Writing Sample: 15%
4. For Finalists only:
1. Resume and Letters: 10%
2. Personal Interview: 20%
3. Department Recognitions: 10%

Scholarship Score (25% of score)

Students are required to have taken at least (3) Advanced Placement and/or Project Lead the Way to qualify.

Score is the combination of the number of courses and the student’s G.P.A. (as of the 1^st Semester)

Laude Calculation G.P.A.

5 classes = 15 pts. 4.0 = 10 pts.

4 classes = 10 pts. 3.9 = 9 pts.

3 classes = 5 pts. 3.8 = 8 pts.

3.7 = 7 pts.

3.6 = 6 pts.

3.5 = 5 pts.

ACT Score (20% of score)

34+ = 20 pts

33 = 19 pts

32 = 18 pts

31 = 17 pts

30 = 16 pts

29 = 15 pts

28 = 14 pts

27 = 13 pts

26 = 12 pts

25 = 11 pts

24 = 10 pts

23 = 9 pts

22 = 8 pts

21 = 7 pts

20 = 6 pts

19 = 5 pts

18 = 4 pts

If you have a different/higher score from an National ACT test date - you must provide copy of that score report

Writing Sample (15% of score)

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- All Nelson applicants MUST complete the writing sample on Wednesday, January 28th

- Students are given a prompt to respond to and given two hours to write their essay. Example:

• “If you were to replace one of the figures on Mount Rushmore, who would you replace them with and explain why”

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• Essay graded by a separate committee of former and current ELA teachers

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• Blind scoring

• Resume & Letters of Recommendation (10% of score)
• Department Recognition Forms (10% of score)
• Personal Interview (20% of score)
• Finalists are interviewed by members of the SHS Scholarship Committee and one community member

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ROUND 2 - Finalists:

ROUND 1 - ALL applicants

• Scholarship Score
• ACT Score
• Writing Sample

Scholarship Committee will meet to determine finalists after preliminary round based on:

Letters of Recommendation & Resume (10% of score)

• Meets school ACP and Senior Project requirement

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• Two letters of recommendation and a resume
• Consider asking community, coaches, or adults other than just teachers.

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Nelson Renewal Requirements

• Nelson Scholarships are renewed for 3 additional years:
• Must submit transcripts for each semester
• Must maintain a 3.0 grade point average
• Students who fall below must submit a letter requesting probation for a semester with a reason included
• limited to one probationary period during their undergraduate years
• Students can opt to defer for a year once during their undergraduate years

Selection & Notification for all Scholarships

• All scholarship recipients are notified in April which scholarship(s) they have been awarded
• Recipients need to complete a bank contract stating where they officially plan to attend college
• Due: May 1st - Contracts should be emailed to Scholarship@superior.k12.wi.us
• No Contract = no money
• Recipients are asked to write a thank you note to the donor of their scholarship(s)
• Thank you letters can be turned into Christy in the main office (or emailed)

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Code of Conduct Criteria

A violation of the SHS Code of Conduct during their senior year will result in the removal of the student as either an applicant or a recipient.

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A violation in during earlier grades will result in a deduction in points from their final score.

• “Character”component of original Nelson criteria

All portions of the application must be received by the deadline in order to be considered

• Nelson Applications - Friday, January 15
• Nelson Applications
• Google Form
• Cover Letter

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• General Scholarship - Friday, February 12
• General Applications
• Google Form
• Cover Letter

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*Applications will be emailed tomorrow and on Xello