Grants and Scholarships

• Grant application deadline has been extended to 4:00pm on September 26. 
• If the deadline falls on a holiday, the grant application must be received by 4:00pm the following school day.

Approvals

• Principals require Chief Academic Officer approval
• Department Heads require direct Supervisor approval

Application Review

• Applications shall be competitively reviewed by CHEF’s Programs Grant Selection Committee.
• Before review, the CHISD Academics and Technology Departments will screen applications for the express purpose of assuring compliance with District Guidelines, not for the selection of recipients. 
• The Programs Grant Selection Committee will submit recommendations of awards to the CHEF Board of Directors.  
• Decision of the CHEF Board are final.
• All grant applicants will receive a response.

• Projects should be in line with CHISD district goals designed to improve the learning experience of CHISD scholars. Funds may not replace normal funding from tax-based sources.

The four student outcome goals for Cedar Hill ISD are:

Goal #1- Increase the percentage of scholars graduating College, Career & Military Ready

Goal #2- Increase the percentage of 3rd grade (all students) scholars reading at or above grade level

Goal #3- Increase the percentage of Algebra 1 scholars scoring Meets or Above

Goal #4- Increase the percentage of scholars participating in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities 

• Grants will be funded and implemented in the same academic year.
• Any unexpended funds will revert to the Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation at the conclusion of the school year for which the grant is funded.

• Individual teachers who wish to enhance their instruction in the teaching of visual or performing arts may apply for funds to attend a professional educational activity, class, seminar, or workshop.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years teaching experience in CHISD
• Funds may be requested for travel expenses, fees, or other associated costs.
• $1,500 maximum request per application

• Complete the CHEF Grants Application online
• Mini-Grants – up to $1,000 
• Campus/Department Grants – up to $10,000 
• Deadline for submission is at 4:00pm on the third Friday of September
• All projects funded are to be implemented in the same academic year

Department leaders and staff apply for funds for a project in line with CHISD district goals designed to improve the learning experience of CHISD scholars.

• Projects must benefit a significant number of scholars
• $10,000 maximum request per application

• Complete the CHEF Grants Application online
• Mini-Grants – up to $1,000 
• Campus Grants – up to $10,000 
• Deadlines for submission is at 4:00pm on the third Friday of September
• All projects funded are to be implemented in the same academic year

• Individual teachers, counselors, and librarians may apply for funds for a project in line with CHISD district goals designed to improve the learning experience of CHISD scholars.
• $1,000 maximum request per application

• Individual teachers, counselors, librarians, principals, may apply for funds for a project in line with CHISD district goals designed to improve the learning experience of CHISD scholars.
• Projects must benefit a significant number of scholars
• $10,000 maximum request per application

• Individual teachers, counselors, and librarians who wish to enhance their knowledge and proficiency in their certified curriculum area may apply for funds to attend a professional educational activity, class, seminar, or workshop.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years teaching experience in CHISD
• Funds may be requested for travel expenses, fees, or other associated costs
• $1,000 maximum request per application

• Individual teachers who wish to enhance their instruction in the teaching of visual or performing arts may apply for funds to attend a professional educational activity, class, seminar, or workshop.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years teaching experience in CHISD
• Funds may be requested for travel expenses, fees, or other associated costs.
• $1,500 maximum request per application

This scholarship was established to assist Cedar Hill Longhorns achieve their dreams!

• Complete the Scholarship Application
• A 350 to 500 word essay about your post High School plans and the reason you chose to pursue this plan. Give experiences that have you had that will help you be successful, and discuss who has inspired you to go in this direction.
• Provide two (2) letters of recommendation
  • One from a CHISD teacher or administrator
  • One from a personal contact that is NOT affiliated with CHISD
• Provide fully executed Scholarship Permissions & Release form
• Deadline for 2026 Scholarship Applications – Monday, April 20, 2026

Scholarship recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Graduating senior student in good standing at the end of the school year
• Minimum GPA of 2.0
• Plan to attend a public or private college or university, community college or accredited vocational/technical school
• One (1) $2,500 scholarship will be awarded each year

Michael and Whitney Sudhalter established this scholarship in honor of their daughter who was stillborn on November 19, 2015.  Their hope is that the recipients will make the world a better place and prevent similar tragedies like the one their family suffered.

• Complete the Scholarship Application
• A 350 to 500 word essay about your post High School plans and the reason you chose to pursue this plan. Give experiences that have you had that will help you be successful, and discuss who has inspired you to go in this direction.
• Provide two (2) letters of recommendation
  • One from a CHISD teacher or administrator
  • One from a personal contact that is NOT affiliated with CHISD
• Provide fully executed Scholarship Permissions & Release form
• Deadline for 2026 Scholarship Applications – Monday, April 20, 2026

Scholarship recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Graduating senior in good standing at the end of the school year
• Minimum GPA of 2.7
• Plan on pursuing a career in Medicine and/or Counseling
• Two (2) $3,000 scholarships will be awarded each year

The RuizCo Scholarship supports students who strongly commit to business, community service, and leadership. This $2,500 award will be granted to a high school senior who embodies these qualities and plans to further their education in a business-related field.

• Complete the Scholarship Application
• A 500-700 word essay describing your community and business impact, leadership experiences, and how you plan to use business principles to contribute to your community that outlines your future business goals and vision for leadership
• Provide two (2) letters of recommendation
  • One from a teacher, mentor, or community leader who can speak to your leadership, business acumen, and community contributions.
  • One from a personal contact that is NOT affiliated with CHISD that details your leadership philosophy and plans to make an impact through business.
• Provide fully executed Scholarship Permissions & Release form
• Deadline for 2026 Scholarship Applications – Monday, April 20, 2026

Scholarship recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Graduating senior in good standing at the end of the school year
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• At least 50 hours of community service within the past year.
• Preference for students who have pursued business-related coursework or plan to major in a business field in higher education.
• One (1) $2,500 scholarship will be awarded each year

Other considerations:

• Demonstrated impact on the community through volunteerism or leadership in community-based projects.
• Preference for students who have started or significantly contributed to community initiatives, especially those tied to economic or business development.
• Experience in leadership roles in school or community organizations (e.g., club president, team captain).
• Participation in business-related activities such as internships, DECA, or student government.
• Evidence of entrepreneurial activity, such as running a small business, initiating business ideas or leadership in related ventures.
• Innovative thinking in problem-solving, especially related to business or community challenges.

Educator Enrichment Scholarship

• Individual teachers, counselors, and librarians who wish to enhance their knowledge and proficiency in their certified curriculum area may apply for funds to attend a professional educational activity, class, seminar, or workshop.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years teaching experience in CHISD
• Funds may be requested for travel expenses, fees, or other associated costs
• $1,000 maximum request per application
• Complete the Educator Enrichment Scholarship form 
• Submit two (2) copies to the CHISD Education Foundation office located in Room 3131 on the first floor of the Cedar Hill Government Center, 285 Uptown Blvd. by 4:00pm on the second Tuesday in April.