Story Behind the Scholarship

For many students around the world, financial barriers remain one of the biggest obstacles to pursuing higher education—particularly for those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. The Next Light Scholarship Program seeks to bridge this gap by supporting high school students across the United States as they take the next step toward college and beyond.

The Next Light Scholarship offers both merit- and need-based financial assistance to students who demonstrate academic excellence and genuine financial need. Selection will be primarily based on the submitted essay, with additional materials considered as supporting supplements of the review process.

The founder of the Next Light scholarship is Shixi Yang. As a high school student, he has always been passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented students to succeed. This passion drives his work as a volunteer instructor at 3&Me Academy, where he teaches lessons free of charge and without profit. In addition, he hosts educational sessions for children in local communities, aiming to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in every student he sees.

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