Each year, we offer up to four full merit-based scholarships for Lake County High School students to attend the HMI Semester, HMI Summer Term, and HMI Gap Traverse Semester. Typically one scholarship is awarded to an HMI Summer Term and HMI Gap participant and two are awareded to HMI Semester participants (one in the fall and one in the spring).
LCHS students participating in HMI programming have the chance to befriend students from around the country, challenge themselves in a new academic environment, and experience the outdoors of Colorado and Utah via extended wilderness expeditions.
LCHS Merit Scholarship FAQ
LCHS students interested in the HMI Semester or HMI Summer Term apply by February 15th of a student’s sophomore or junior year. LCHS students interested in the HMI Gap Traverse Semester apply by February 15th of their senior year.
The merit scholarships will be awarded to the top applicants from LCHS each year. We evaluate an applicant’s transcript, teacher recommendations, and personal essays as well as their involvement in extracurriculars such as team sports, volunteer activities, music, theater, etc.
Sophomores and juniors should follow the Semester or Summer Term application instructions here. A complete application includes a transcript from LCHS, two teacher recommendations (at least one coming from an academic teacher who taught the student this year or last), and an online application that includes three short-answer essays.
Seniors applying to HMI Gap should follow instructions here to submit an application. In addition to the regular HMI Gap application, LCHS applicants will need two letters of recommendation and their transcript from LCHS. Letters of recommendation should follow a similar format as with a college application and should be 400-500 words.
No. There is no application fee.
No. LCHS students will automatically be considered for the merit scholarship.
As an HMI Merit Scholar, you and your family do not pay for HMI tuition, gear rental, lodging, and food. The student and their family will pay for books, bookstore purchases, and any fees associated extracurricular activities totaling around $600 for the Semester, $250 for the Summer Term, and $750 for Gap.
First priority for the merit scholarships will be given to LCHS students. If fewer than three LCHS students apply, Lake County residents who do not attend LCHS will be considered.
Regardless of the number of LCHS applicants, Lake County residents who do not attend LCHS may still apply to the HMI Semester or HMI Summer Term and apply for need-based financial aid.
Local families are invited to visit HMI anytime for a tour
Our admissions office is happy to host you, and help you understand the application process for the LCHS merit scholarship.
HMI partners with Full Circle each summer to offer the Lake County Backpacking Trip, a free program open to all LCHS students who have finished 7th or 8th grade.
For more information about HMI opportunities available to LCHS students, contact the HMI admissions department: admissions@hminet.org or (719) 486-8200 x1.
