Tenth graders in Houston Independent School District are encouraged to apply for EMERGE, a program that empowers and prepares high-performing students from underserved communities to attend and graduate from top colleges and universities across the nation that offer substantial financial-aid packages.

HISD sophomores who want to explore in-state and out-of-state college options and would like to work with a mentor to create a competitive college application can apply to be an EMERGE fellow now through May 15, 2023. The application can be found here.

Recruitment sessions will be offered in April. Please check the EMERGE webpage for the schedule.

EMERGE is a nationally recognized program started in HISD that helps economically disadvantaged students who are often times first-generation students and the first in their family to graduate from a four-year college or university. Candidates must have a strong academic profile that includes getting good grades in rigorous courses.

The program has helped hundreds of students receive full scholarships to top colleges such as Yale, Rice, Harvard, and Stanford. More than 95 percent of EMERGE students have either graduated from college within four years or are on track to do so.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact Student Recruiter at Bethany. Okezie@HoustonISD.org. For more information on EMERGE, visit: www.HoustonISD.org/EMERGE.