Students walking around Hilbert campus.

Hawks Level Up

The Hawk’s Level-Up Program was born from Hilbert’s relationship with a beloved Alumnus who resides in the Cleveland, Ohio area and believes in Hilbert’s mission to graduate students who will contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society. Hilbert began offering a special scholarship opportunity to students who reside just outside of the Cleveland metropolitan region from seven specific high schools which graduate a high population of underserved students in 2022.

We’re now extending this opportunity to students from Western New York.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from a high school that has been identified as high-needs within Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Monroe Counties. To be considered a high needs high school, more than 50% of students must be eligible for free & reduced-price meals.

You may review your school’s current economic data by visiting the US News & World Report website.

Hawk’s Level-Up Eligibility Criteria

There is no need to apply for the Hawk’s Level Up Grant! To be considered for these additional, need-based financial aid awards, students must:

  • Apply for admission to Hilbert by February 1 (extensions may apply)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Demonstrate financial need as evidenced by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Have an annual family income of $75,000 or less
  • Be a full-time, first-time undergraduate student enrolled at Hilbert College
  • Be a graduate of one of the specified high schools in Cleveland, Ohio or Western New York
  • Agree to participate in Hilbert’s supportive programs such as financial aid counseling and academic support provisions

Level-Up Benefits

Level-up grants vary in dollar amount and are renewable each year. The amount of your level up grant will be reflected on your financial aid award letter as “Hilbert Grant” aid. Your total financial aid awards may cover up to 80% of your tuition! Hilbert will not award a level-up grant to students who are eligible to receive HEOP benefits or Say Yes to Education Scholarships, as these programs may be of larger financial benefit.

Hawk Level-Up Schools

Eligible schools by county

  • Belfast School (330375)
  • Bolivar-Richburg Junior-Senior High School (330455)
  • Friendship Central School (332015)
  • Scio Central School (335145)

  • Olean Senior High School (334295)
  • Salamanca High School (335020)

  • Brocton Middle High School (330530)
  • Cassadaga Valley Middle/High School (335200)
  • Dunkirk Senior High School (331670)
  • Jamestown High School (332605)
  • Pine Valley Central Junior-Senior High School (335260)
  • Silver Creek High School (335195)

  • Brush High School (361210)
  • Cleveland Heights High School (361445)
  • Euclid City High School (362090)
  • Garfield Heights High School (362255)
  • Maple Heights High School (363190)
  • Shaker Heights High School (361395)
  • Shaw High School (362015)

  • Cheektowaga Central School (331005)
  • Cleveland Hill High School (331343)
  • Global Concepts Charter School (332719)
  • Lackawanna High School (332715)

  • Southeast Guilford High School (341580)
  • Grimsley High School (341598)
  • Weaver Academy (341633)
  • James B Dudley Senior High School (341605)
  • The Early College at Guilford (341594)
  • Middle College (341600)
  • Southern Guilford High School (341620)
  • Northern Guilford High School (341603)
  • Western Guilford High School (341675)
  • STEM Early College at North Carolina A&T (341612)
  • Northwest Guilford High School (341606)
  • The Academy at Smith (341629)
  • B L Smith Senior High School (341590)
  • Walter Hines Page High School (341632)
  • High Point Central High School (341850)
  • William Penn-Griffin School for the Arts (341859)
  • Southwest Guilford High School (341851)
  • Ragsdale High School (341955)
  • GTCC Middle College (341956)

  • Charlotte High School (334762)
  • East Upper High School (334795)
  • East Irondequoit High School (334797)
  • Edison Career and Technology High School (334800)
  • Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School (330626)
  • Greece Olympia High School (334804)
  • Integrated Arts and Technology High School (334768)
  • James Monroe High School (334812)
  • Joseph C Wilson Magnet High School (334821)
  • Leadership Academy for Young Men (331156)
  • Northeast College Preparatory High School (334841)
  • Rochester Academy Charter School (334783)
  • Rochester Early College International High School (334786)
  • School 58-World of Inquiry School (334859)
  • School of the Arts (334835)
  • School Without Walls (334849)
  • True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School (331186)
  • University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men (330045)
  • Vanguard Collegiate High School (334784)
  • Vertus Charter School (334861)
  • Young Women’s College Preparatory Charter School of Rochester (334860)

  • Lockport High School (332870)
  • Niagara Falls High School (334170)

  • Charles D’Amico High School (330100)

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