Why We Ask Students About Purpose, Not Just Grades

When students apply for the IMPACT Foundation Scholarship, one of the first surprises they encounter is this:

“We’re not just going to ask about your GPA—we’re going to ask about your why.”

That catches some people off guard in a world obsessed with test scores and transcripts. But at IMPACT, we believe in something powerful:

Grades tell us how you’re performing. Purpose tells us where you’re going.

That’s why our application process is different. We want to know what drives a student, what makes them light up, what challenge they’ve overcome, and what dream they’re chasing—and why it matters.

Because when students connect their education to their purpose, they don’t just graduate.

They lead. They build. They give back.

We’ve Seen It in This Year’s Applicants

This year, two of our scholarship finalists reminded us exactly why we focus on purpose.

One shared:

“I’ve always wanted to help others, and pursuing a career in counseling is the best way I can give back to the community that helped raise me. My parents, who immigrated here to give us a better life, taught me what it means to work hard and care deeply about others.”

Another wrote:

“My goal is to become a mechanical engineer and use my knowledge to improve the infrastructure in underdeveloped areas. I want to give back to my community by solving real-world problems that affect families like mine.”

These are not just essays. They are statements of purpose—from students who aren’t just seeking a degree but already thinking about how to serve others.

That’s exactly the kind of student IMPACT exists to support.

Purpose Keeps Students Going When It Gets Hard

College is hard. Life after high school brings stress, transition, and decisions that test even the most gifted students.

That’s where purpose makes the difference.

When students know their “why,” they don’t crumble when things get tough, they push through. They ask for help. They adjust course—but they don’t quit.

That’s the kind of student we want to invest in. Not just someone who can check boxes, but someone who can shape their future and lift others along the way.

We’re Not Just Rewarding the Past. We’re Investing in the Future.

At IMPACT, we’re building more than scholars. We’re building future leaders, mentors, and role models. That’s why we look at their heart as much as their homework.

We ask:

• Who will make the most of this opportunity?

• Who is already thinking about how to make a difference?

• Who is ready to lead with purpose, not just pass a test?

Those are the students we’re proud to support. We know that a young person anchored in purpose will create a ripple effect of impact in their family, their career, and their community.

Help Us Keep Purpose in the Equation

If you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, encourage the young people in your life to think bigger than grades. Help them connect their talents to something meaningful. Remind them that it’s okay to explore, evolve, and ask deeper questions about where they’re headed.

And if you’re a donor or partner in our mission, know this—

When you support IMPACT, you’re not just funding education. You’re fueling purpose—and that changes everything.