Frequently Asked Questions

How exactly does the full-tuition, full-need scholarship work?

Why do I need to provide my family's financial information?

Are there any income requirements?

How are scholars matched with colleges?

Do I make any commitment to the program just by applying?

Is Act Six only for students of color?

Is there a minimum GPA?

Do I have to be a Christian to apply?

Applications are due only two months after school starts. Why is the application deadline so early in the year?

What if I won't have an SAT or ACT score back before the application deadline?

Where did the name Act Six come from?

 

How exactly does the full-tuition, full-need scholarship work?

1. Act Six award packages begin with any government student aid or outside scholarships for which students qualify. Act Six establishes partnerships with key community scholarship providers to coordinate some of this outside assistance.
2. After outside grants and scholarships have been applied, the college commits to providing scholarship aid that will meet full tuition (between $13,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on the college) for every Act Six scholar.
3. Each year students and their parents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which will determine the family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
4. The family's need is then determined by subtracting their EFC from the total cost of attendance (between  $21,000 to $42,000, depending on college, including tuition, room and board, books, travel and personal expenses).
5. If the family's need exceeds the cost of tuition, the college commits to providing additional scholarship aid and work study to meet full need.
6. Each family will be responsible for covering their EFC.

Because financial aid policies prevent colleges from exceeding need except in rare situations and because Act Six awards meet full need without loan, scholars can be assured that they are receiving unsurpassed award packages.
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Why do I need to provide my family's financial information?

Because of the nature of the Act Six scholarship commitment and the desire of the program to select an economically diverse cadre, it is important that we have an accurate estimate of applicants' financial situation. Further, in order to provide a good estimate the actual Act Six award at the time of selection, it is critical that the program have an accurate estimate of the student's Expected Family Contribution.

The information provided in the Act Six application process is the same information that colleges will later receive through the FAFSA and gives both Act Six and families an early and reliable estimate of their EFC. All financial information is treated confidentially.
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Are there any income requirements?

No. While family income will be considered in choosing an intentionally diverse group of students, neither high nor low income levels will make applicants ineligible.
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How are scholars matched with colleges?

In Tacoma-Seattle, Act Six will be selecting four cadres with 7 scholars for PLU, 8-10 scholars for Northwest, 5-6 scholars for Trinity Lutheran, and 4 scholars for Gonzaga.

In Spokane, Act Six will be selecting two cadres with 8-10 scholars for Whitworth and 4 scholars for Gonzaga.

In Yakima Valley, Act Six will be selecting a single cadre of 7 scholars for Heritage.

You are encouraged to learn as much as possible about each partner college as you decide where you wish to apply. In your application, you will be asked to indicate for which college(s) you wish to be considered for Act Six and general admission.  If you select more than one college, you will be asked to indicate your preferences by ranking your selections.

If you are not selected to advance as a candidate to the Phase II event, your application will be sent on to the college(s) you indicate below to be considered through the regular admissions process. If you are selected to participate in Phase II, you will learn more about each college and have the opportunity to update your preference at the event’s conclusion.

After Phase II, local selection committees will select approximately 20 semifinalists each for Whitworth, PLU, Northwest, Trinity Lutheran and Heritage, and 10 semifinalists Tacoma-Seattle and 10 from Spokane for Gonzaga. As in the previous phase, if you are not selected as a semifinalist, your application will be sent on to the college(s) you listed after Phase II for consideration through the regular admissions process. Those selected as semifinalists for each college will be admitted to that college and will be invited to participate in the on-campus Phase III event at that college.

After Phase III, each college will name finalists. Finalists will have one week to decide and commit to the Act Six program, agreeing to attend the college for which they were selected and to participate fully in the seven month training program. Those not selected as finalists and those finalists who decline the Act Six offer will still be granted admission to that college and will be considered for regular admission to the other colleges that they indicated on their application. If admitted, they will receive financial aid awards through the regular financial aid process. However, they cannot be awarded Act Six scholarships.
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Do I make any commitment to the program just by applying?

No. Applicants make no commitment to the program by submitting a Phase I application or by participating in Phase II or Phase III of the selection process. They may at any time remove themselves from consideration. Students who are selected as finalists will be given one week to accept the the award. If and only if they decide to participate in the program, students are then required to make a formal commitment to the program, agreeing to attend the college for which they were accepted, to withhold applications to other schools, and to participate fully in the seven month training and preparation program throughout the remainder of the year.
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Is Act Six only for students of color?

No. The goal of the program is to select an intentionally diverse group of students, both ethnically and economically. While the majority of students selected will likely be students of color, White students who have experience relating to people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will play a critical role in creating a cadre that will serve as a model of healthy and honest cross-cultural relationship that is at the heart of racial reconciliation.
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Is there a minimum GPA?

No. However, the Act Six Initiative is looking for talented students with strong scholastic potential who are passionate about learning and who will succeed and thrive in a challenging academic environments. You can compare the academic profiles of each of the Act Six partner colleges to get a sense of the range of typical students at each school. Students with weaker high school grades must find ways to clearly demonstrate this passion for learning and potential for success.
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Do I have to be a Christian to apply?

No. Act Six was born out of the conviction that division and inequity among people saddens the heart of God and that the leadership needed to bridge and heal those divisions requires a deep humility and commitment to service. The Initiative believes that the Christian faith both demands and makes uniquely possible a bold and authentic reconciliation between people from across God's creation.

Act Six staff operate out of deep Christian commitments--commitments that include genuine respect for those who do not share their convictions. With the exception of applicants to Northwest University, Act Six applicants are not required to make a statement of faith or consent to any doctrinal statements.  They must, however, be open to exploring Christian perspectives on leadership and reconciliation and should be aware that a significant portion of the training program will be dedicated to this exploration. In the midst of this exploration, disagreement and differing perspectives are welcomed and engaged.

They should also be comfortable with the distinct identity, mission and faith commitments of each college to which they apply. You can explore the broad diversity of how each college understands it commitment to faith and learning at the partner college comparison.
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Applications are due right after after school starts. Why is the application deadline so early in the year?

The primary reason for the early application deadline and selection dates is to allow for the seven month training and preparation program throughout the rest of the year before the cadre heads off to campus. While the early deadline certainly adds some urgency to the beginning of the year, it also dramatically frees students who are selected from the stress that accompanies the rest of most students' senior year. By mid February, scholars who are selected will know where they are going to college and will know that they have the best financial aid possible. Gone is the stress of applications, decisions, and financial worries that typically clouds your last year of high school. Instead, you'll be able to focus on preparing to be successful in college and on developing the skills to engage the campus when you arrive.

Another clear challenge with the timeline is the need for students who are selected to commit to a college before they have heard anything from other colleges. While this early decision likely will come with a bit of uncertainty, what is certain is that Act Six scholars will be heading to one of the region's top liberal arts colleges with an unbeatable financial aid award, incredible preparation and an unparalleled support system.
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What if I won't have an SAT or ACT score back before the application deadline?

Scores from the SAT Reasoning or ACT are required for admission to PLU, Northwest, Gonzaga and Trinity Lutheran. Scores you have already received should be reported by your school in the School Report form of your online application. If you are applying to any of these schools and your school has not received results by the application deadline, you may still apply for Act Six, but a copy of the exam score report must be received by the Act Six office no later than December 31.
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Where did the name "Act Six" come from?

In the sixth act (or chapter) of Luke's drama about the early followers of Christ (the New Testament's Book of Acts), we find a church that was confronted with the reality of ethnic inequality in the distribution of a critical resource. How the early church responded to inequality in food distribution can inform how we respond to the clear and disturbing inequality in the distribution of one of today's most critical resources: education. At the heart of the solution was the selection of a cadre of leaders from the affected minority group that was charged and empowered to work toward a solution. Provided with every resource they needed, this group created a solution that made way for dynamic growth in the church, and in the process produced two of the early church’s most significant leaders. Get the full story in Acts 6:1-7.
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