The NRG Chairman’s Scholarship was established in honor of Howard Cosgrove, who served as NRG Energy’s first Chairman of the board. The scholarship will reward superior academic performance, exemplary non-academic achievements, and adherence to NRG’s core values.

If you meet all of the requirements listed below, visit our Application Process FAQ for helpful tips before you get started.

Requirements to Apply:

• Applicant must be the child of an active employee in good standing of NRG Energy, Inc., or of a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG. NRG employees must have a minimum of one-year tenure at NRG by the application deadline. Children of NRG employees who are Senior Vice Presidents or above by the application deadline are not eligible.
• Applicant will be ineligible for a scholarship if an immediate family member (twin, sibling, half-sibling, etc.) was previously awarded the Chairman’s Scholarship. Additionally, a maximum of one Applicant per immediate family will be awarded a scholarship in any scholarship cycle.
• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or previous high school graduate preparing to enter a college degree program for the first time.
  • Applicants who have completed one or more semesters of college after having graduated from high school are not eligible.
• Applicant must plan to enter an accredited four-year college on a full-time basis.
• Applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted).
  • Applicants with an unweighted GPA of 2.99 or below are not eligible.
  • Please review this guide for instructions on converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale. GPA must be rounded to two decimal points.
    
• The award may only be applied toward earning a bachelor’s degree.
  • Applicants planning to attend a two-year college for their first year are not eligible.
    
    
• This scholarship is for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
• Current recipients of the NRG Chairman's Scholarship who are planning to renew the scholarship for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year must complete several Renewal Tasks through this application. 

About the Scholarship Award:

This is a renewable scholarship, meaning recipients can renew the award and claim up to 4 years of funding if they meet the GPA and enrollment requirements and complete the renewal application for each academic year they plan to be enrolled.

• Award Amount
  • Two (2) scholarships awarded annually. The scholarship is comprised of up to four (4) annual awards of $15,000, for a total award of up to $60,000.
  • The four (4) annual awards may be received over a period of up to 6 years, allowing for deferment if needed.
    
    
• What can the scholarship be used for?
  • The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student's college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses. 
  • Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.
    
    
• Are there any requirements I must meet if I'm selected as a scholarship recipient?
  • Recipients must plan to enter an accredited four-year college on a full-time basis.
    
  • Recipients must enroll in at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters (or be enrolled full-time according to your school if it is on a different system).
  • Recipients must submit college enrollment information online through GHCF Scholar the summer before the academic year begins. This information is required in order for the scholarship check to be mailed to the student's college. Instructions will be included in the student's award letter.
  • Recipients must meet certain criteria in order to receive subsequent annual awards (i.e., renewals): maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, and complete the renewal application for each academic year they planned to be enrolled.

What Is Needed for This Application?

• Eligibility questions based on the criteria listed above
• Information for employee of NRG Energy, Inc., or of a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG
• Two (2) essays
• One (1) Personal recommendation form completed online. The recommender cannot be a family member.
• Two (2) Teacher recommendation forms completed online
• Transcript to confirm your GPA (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
• Education information
• Resume Form (involvement in school activities, community service, and employment)

*Applicants selected as finalists will be interviewed by Greater Houston Community Foundation on March 31 and April 1.

Language Considerations:

• This application is offered in both English and Spanish.
• To view your application in Spanish, click the "EN" dropdown button in the top right corner of the screen and select "Español".
• You may toggle between English and Spanish while filling out your application.