Headwind Scholars Program
The Headwind Scholars program is a comprehensive support program for full-time students at Vanguard University. It is designed to assist students who meet eligibility requirements, with special consideration given to those who have experienced foster care and demonstrate significant financial need. In addition to receiving an academic scholarship, Headwind Scholars benefit from personalized support from staff and faculty, helping them succeed academically while also supporting their personal, spiritual, and career development.
We are currently taking applications from qualified prospective students to join our waiting list. Adding additional students to our growing program is contingent on continuing fundraising efforts to expand our scholarship fund.
Program Criteria
The Headwind Scholars program is a selective scholarship program with a limited number of openings per academic year. It is anticipated that each academic year, more applications will be received than can be accepted into the program.
The Headwind Scholarship Committee will consider all eligible applicants in accordance with the following criteria for initial acceptance and continued enrollment in the program.
Awarding of Scholarship
The Headwind Scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the Vanguard University Headwind Scholarship Committee. Scholarship funds will be distributed at the end of each academic semester.
Fees associated with courses dropped by the student after the add/drop deadline, as established by the Registrar, will not be covered by the scholarship, unless otherwise approved by the Headwind Scholarship Committee. The Headwind Scholars program staff should be consulted before any courses are dropped.
Notification Dates:
New Applicants
April 1
Returning Students
June 1
Expanding Access, Transforming Lives
In 2014, the Glenn S. Kraiss Scholarship was established at Vanguard University and named in memory of Kraiss, a man remembered as a person of Godly character and generosity. Mr. Kraiss, who was himself a recipient of a full scholarship from the Walgreens Corporation, continued to invest in countless others throughout his long career as a top Walgreens executive. His generosity has inspired many others to invest in the future of young people, particularly those in need of additional resources due to family circumstances.
Over the last 11 years, a select number of Vanguard students have been recipients of scholarship funds empowering them to pursue and achieve their academic goals. In 2025, Vanguard University is rebranding this initiative with the vision of establishing an on-campus support office and providing comprehensive wraparound support for scholarship recipients. This expansion is made possible by the generosity of a corporate foundation partner with a shared vision to provide higher education opportunities for hundreds of emancipating youth at Vanguard.
