The Horatio Alger Association awards scholarships to students who have overcome significant adversity and financial hardship and are committed to pursuing higher education, granting 1,246 scholarships in 2025. Its portfolio runs from national and state four-year awards through career and technical education awards for students entering certificate and two-year technical programmes, so it reaches both the degree and the trades side of a STEM pathway. Scholars receive financial assistance plus ongoing Scholar Services - counselling, college-completion support and an alumni network of some 15,000 members - and the Association reports a 73 per cent Scholar graduation rate. Selection is built around demonstrated perseverance through hardship rather than on test scores.