Scholarship Overview

 

The Dan and Donna Fehler Engineering Impact Scholarship, presented by Rise Up Academics, honors two individuals whose lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and community helped inspire the founding of our organization. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who has been accepted into a college or university engineering program and demonstrates both academic excellence and a passion for using their education to make a difference.

 

Dan Fehler, a retired mechanical engineer with a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, spent his career solving complex problems and empowering future generations of innovators. Together with his wife Donna, a tireless supporter of youth and education, the Fehlers have been pillars in their community—believing deeply that education is not just a pathway to personal success, but a tool for building a better world.

 

Their legacy lives on through Rise Up Academics and this scholarship, which supports students who share that same vision for leadership, service, and impact.

 

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Eligibility Criteria

 

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduating high school senior (Class of 2026 or later)

• Be accepted into a college or university engineering program (proof of enrollment required)

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale

• Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community leader

• Submit a 1,000-word essay responding to the prompt:

  • “How has your education shaped your identity, and how do you plan to use your engineering degree to better your community?”

 

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Evaluation Criteria

 

Applicants will be evaluated on:

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• Academic performance

• Clarity, depth, and originality in the essay

• Demonstrated commitment to community impact

• Strength and relevance of recommendation

• Alignment with the values of Dan and Donna Fehler and the mission of Rise Up Academics