YOUTH PROGRAMS
Unlock Your Potential with the Rogers Scholars Program
The Center for Rural Development’s flagship youth program—provides leadership and college scholarship opportunities to help upcoming high school juniors in Southern and Eastern Kentucky develop the skills they need to seize their potential as the region’s next generation of business and entrepreneurial leaders.
During this intensive week-long program, Rogers Scholars work on building their leadership skills, participate in a series of team-building exercises; receive hands-on instructional training from professional experts in engineering, healthcare, and civic engagement; and interact with nationally recognized business leaders and entrepreneurs. The program focuses on developing skills in leadership, technology, entrepreneurship, and community service.
High school students apply during their sophomore year and, if selected, will attend one of two Rogers Scholars summer sessions just before they enter the 11th grade. All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of transportation to and from the program) are offered at no cost.
Open to 10th Grade Students in the 45-County Service Area.
Eligibility Criteria
ROGERS SCHOLARS
PARTNER UNIVERSITIES
The Rogers Scholars Program currently partners with 20 different colleges and universities that offer exclusive college scholarship opportunities to graduates of the Rogers Scholars Program. In order to be eligible to receive scholarship offers, graduates must fulfill the community service requirement of the program within one year of their program completion date. Additionally, students have to meet the academic requirements for each partner university. Each individual academic partner has their own specific scholarship requirements. Students are encouraged to speak to the universities as soon as possible into their senior year to make sure the scholarship information is still the same. Scholarship changes often happen annually so it’s important that students communicate with the partner universities they are interested in.
ROGERS SCHOLARS
ACCEPTANCE PAPERWORK
Congratulations! If you received a letter of acceptance for the 2025 Rogers Scholars program, you are in the right place. Next you will have to fill out one of the forms below. When filling out the form, make sure you have your corresponding paperwork that was included in your acceptance packet and provide a copy of the front and back of your insurance card.
Q: What is Rogers Scholars?
A: Rogers Scholars is a week-long youth leadership program for rising high school juniors throughout Eastern Kentucky. Students spend a week where they will live and learn on a college campus during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. Additionally, Scholars are eligible to apply for exclusive college scholarships at 19 universities.
Q: How does a student get selected for the program?
A: The Center for Rural Development serves 45 counties throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In an initial round of selection, The Center selects ONE student per county based on the top application score. Then, The Center selects the remaining students at large from top score to bottom score. So it is possible for more than one student to be selected from a county.
Q: What grade level do I have to be in?
A: The program is for rising juniors, but you apply during your sophomore year.
Q: What are the academic requirements?
A: You have to have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA in order to apply.
Q: How do the scholarships work?
A: The Center for Rural Development only serves as a vehicle for the scholarships provided by 19 university partners. While you automatically qualify to apply for a scholarship as a Rogers Scholar, you still have to communicate with the school and meet academic requirements at your intended
Q: As a Rogers Scholar, do I have to organize my own community service project after I graduate from the program?
A: Yes. In order to be eligible for the scholarship opportunities, The Center for Rural Development requires you to organize and execute your own community service project in your hometown by June 1st the year following you of graduation from the program.
Q: Do I have to be a first generation college student in order to apply?
A: No
Q: Is the program financially based?
A: No
Q: Does the program cost anything?
A: No. If you get selected for the program, everything is provided at no cost. You just have to get to and from camp.
Q: Is it an open admission program? Do you automatically get in just by filling out the application?
A: No. It is competitive. With around 400 applications annually, only 100 students are selected to attend.
Q: Where is the program located?
A: Students attend a week-long camp at one of two locations: Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY and Morehead State University in Morehead, KY.
Q: If I don’t attend camp, am I still eligible for the scholarships?
A: No. You have to attend the full program in order to be eligible.
Q: I am a current junior or senior in high school. Can I still apply?
A: No. The Center only accepts applications from current sophomores. There are no exceptions.