Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program

The Rales Scholars Program provides KIPP alumni with financial support to defray the costs of college, 1:1 mentorship, annual summer internship placement support, financial literacy education, and more.

About the Scholars Program

The Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation and KIPP Foundation have partnered to create the Rales Scholars Program. Every year up to 50 students will be selected for this new Rales Scholars Program. It will provide financial support to defray the costs of college, 1:1 mentorship, annual summer internship placement support, financial literacy education and budget planning, an annual leadership weekend and more. The first cohort of scholars joined the program in May 2022.

The Rales Scholars Program is one of several KIPP scholarship programs established in alignment with KIPP Foundation’s goal to see 1,000 alumni in positions of true power and influence by 2040.

The Rales Scholars Program honors the legacy of Ruth and Norman Rales, who believed deeply in the limitless potential of all young people, and who exemplified the spirit of giving back during their lifetimes.

About Norman and Ruth

The Rales Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families facing hardship by creating opportunities for them to realize life’s potential, in the spirit of Norman and Ruth Rales. Norman and Ruth Rales began their lives under humble circumstances. Norman was raised in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during the Great Depression. The lessons he learned there nurtured a lifelong desire to assist others in need, while brightening the days of the many he touched. Ruth was raised in Pittsburgh by parents who had fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe. From an early age she was taught the value of hard work, generosity and creativity. Ruth and Norman married in 1948 and together they built a brilliant life filled with family, friends, community, work and giving to others. Unable to attend college themselves, Ruth and Norman believed deeply in the importance of an excellent education for all children, regardless of circumstance. Throughout their lives, they dedicated themselves to helping others in need. Their spirit of giving and values live on through the work of the Rales Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, but the program will only serve the 100 current scholars and no longer recruit new students.

  • Unfortunately, we opened the Rales Scholars Program application before deciding to end the program. If you started an application or submitted one, your application will no longer be considered. However, we still encourage you to apply to scholarship programs for the Goldberg (all Regions) and Webb (students living in Northern California only).

  • You will not have to resubmit an application. All submitted applications are due on February 2, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST. Your application materials for Rales will be omitted.

  • Yes, we encourage eligible applicants to apply for all KIPP scholarship programs. We also urge applicants to apply for other scholarships not affiliated with the KIPP Foundation. Here are some scholarship resources to consider:

  • We encourage you to share the change with your recommenders, but we will also alert them at the email address you provided. We will notify them that if you have applied to the Goldberg or Webb scholarship programs, you will need their completed recommendations to review your application.

  • We encourage all KIPP students and alums to connect with their school’s college or guidance counselors or to work with your assigned KIPP Forward advisor.

  • Please get in touch with Jose Mazariegos at jmazariegos@kipp.org with any additional questions and allow one to two days for a response from him or another member of the Alumni Impact Team.

Meet the 2023 Class of Rales Scholars

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