RISE Scholars receive a minimum $1,000 award from PSALT toward tuition/fees, paid to their educational institution. PSALT also works with the Scholar to develop a crowdfunding page via GiveButter sponsored by PSALT for the one year duration of the award period to garner further support and share their story with a broader audience. There is no maximum amount a RISE Scholar is allowed to raise.

In order to be eligible for the RISE Scholars Program, the following criteria are required:

1. North Korean born refugee or a child of a North Korean refugee

2. Resettlement in the United States

3. Enrollment in a college, graduate school, or vocational program for the current award year. Proof of acceptance or enrollment required.

RISE Scholars are chosen on a variety of factors, including financial need, personal vision and vocational aspirations, community service, academic performance, leadership skills, and outstanding circumstances.

Yes. However, priority will be given to those students residing in the U.S.

Yes, but you must provide the necessary documentation indicating that tuition is fully covered. Also, please keep in mind financial need is a very significant factor we take into consideration when selecting candidates for the RISE Scholars program.

We will call your school’s financial office to notify them about the scholarship and discuss options to place the $1,000 credit into your student account to cover expenses toward tuition for remaining semesters or to cover other education-related expenses billed through your school, such as technology fees, meal plans, school room and board, graduation regalia, etc. The details will be considered on a case by case basis.

PSALT will work with each RISE Scholar to accommodate the best process of directing funds raised for their campaign directly to them. Funds raised through GiveButter are first transferred to a verified nonprofit charity (PSALT NK) and PSALT NK will work with the scholar on a schedule and account to which all the funds can be sent. PSALT does not take any percentage of the funds raised and will route the funds to the scholar's requested account. For more information regarding the GiveButter payment process, please visit: https://help.givebutter.com/en/articles/1761146-how-to-withdraw-funds

All funds raised through GiveButter, after any processing fees are deducted by GiveButter, will be forwarded to the student. PSALT does not charge/deduct any fees but simply directs the funds to the student’s specified account.

The PSALT RISE team will work with each RISE Scholar to draft and finalize their profile testimony and stated vision on both the GiveButter page and PSALT RISE Scholars page.

PSALT will also provide instruction and suggestions on how to creatively take pictures to add a personal touch to the profile page and not expose the Scholars’ face if preferred. We take the security of all our participants very seriously. It is very important that each Scholar feels comfortable with each step of this process, and that information shared on the profile page is done with the Scholar’s detailed review and full permission.

Yes! RISE Scholars are encouraged to share their campaign and profile pages on social media and with their friends, community, church, and other networks. Our goal is to help you advocate for your dreams and future as much as possible through this program. We hope this will be a great opportunity to build/grow a community of advocates and supporters around you to help you on your journey!

Yes, you can donate to a GiveButter campaign from outside of the U.S.! For more information on how to give internationally and whether your country is supported on GiveButter, please visit the following website. https://help.givebutter.com/en/articles/1726542-supported-countries-and-currencies-on-givebutter#

The GiveButter page will remain open for the duration of that year and any additional years that you are successfully re-enrolled. We hope to support you through the RISE Scholars program and GiveButter page until you graduate.

While there is no guarantee that you will be re-selected in subsequent years, we give preference to current non-graduating RISE Scholars as part of our aim to demonstrate long-term vision, support, and accountability.

Toward the end of your award year, RISE Scholars interested in continuing with the program will be asked to meet reevaluation requirements including evidence of continued enrollment, continued interest, and other relevant documentation. A full reapplication is not necessary.

Upon graduating, your next steps may help determine continued support through the RISE Scholars program. If you are continuing your studies we will require documentation, similar to the reevaluation process in between award years. If you are proceeding on your career path – congratulations! While the financial scholarship portion of the program will not continue, we may be able to provide mentoring services and support depending on your career choice and hope that the years of connecting with the RISE Scholars program will provide you with a supportive community and more resources for the journey ahead!