English
Founding Cohort

Apply for a TARA Scholarship

Two years of coaching, practical life skills, and a community that stays. There is no cost to Scholars.

Length2 years
Ages18–25
Cost$0
Takes about15 minutes
Three people read this: TARA’s founder and two members of the TARA team. We never ask about immigration status. Several questions are optional and you can skip them, but we encourage you to do your best in telling us about yourself. Applicants who are not selected for the initial cohort are waitlisted. If not accepted after twelve months, submitted applications are deleted. All applicants can reapply for future cohorts.
01

About you

TARA Scholarships are for people aged 18 to 25.

Where you live now. We ask for your full address only if you are accepted.

This helps us plan around your week. It has no effect on selection.

02

How you found us

If someone sent you to us. Optional.

03

Where you are now

Every question in this section is optional, and every one has a "prefer not to say". These groups get priority consideration, which is the only reason we ask. Answering does not decide your place.

Are you currently in recovery from substance use?
Roughly how long?
Have you been in the foster care system?
Have you experienced housing instability in the past 12 months?
Did you arrive in the United States in the last few years?

We never ask about immigration status, and we never will.

04

Why TARA

Tell us what you want your life to look like. A few sentences is plenty — we are not grading your writing.

Whatever is in the way — inside you or around you. You decide how much to say.

If you are going through something hard right now, you can tell us — and please also reach someone who can help today. In the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, in English or Spanish.

Big or small. The ones you say out loud and the ones you usually don't.

Which Pillars pull you in, and which look hardest?

Tick as many as you like in each column. You can change your path at any time.

DrawnHardest Wellness — food, water, sleep Movement — gyms, studios, classes Mindfulness — stress and emotional tools Creativity — art, music, writing, craft Financial Literacy — budgeting, credit, taxes Connection — cohort and community service

Eating, sleeping, screens, moving. We ask so we can see what changes over two years, and we will ask again later.

Work hours, travel, childcare, language, accessibility, anything else.

05

Before you send

If your application moves forward, we will invite you to a conversation over video or in person. The commitments you make to TARA, and TARA makes to you, are signed then.

Received

Thank you. We have your application.

Keep this reference. Quote it if you write to us about your application.

A person reads every application. We aim to reply within two weeks, whether or not you are invited to the next step.

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