The Skillman Scholars program provides educational opportunities for academically gifted, minority scholars from Metropolitan Detroit to maximize their potential to become future leaders in society. Its been an important strategy at the Foundation for more than 20 years. Below is a summary of the Skillman Scholars program.

• 1985 The Skillman Foundation provided full scholarships to five select independent secondary schools – Cranbrook Educational Community, Detroit Country Day School, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Roeper City and Country School, and University Liggett School. The Skillman Scholars Program was launched in the fall of 1985 with 13 scholarships for minority youths in Metropolitan Detroit. By 1990 the program was well established and had grown to 36 scholarships for minority low-income youths each year. Initially, brief anecdotal profiles of scholars were provided in reports from participating independent schools. In 1993, the process of reporting scholar progress grew into a standardized format to allow comparison of data across schools.
• 1995 The ten year anniversary of the Skillman Scholars Program. The Foundation conducted a retroactive study of the program. Partnership schools reported that Skillman Scholars added considerably to the diversity of their communities. In many cases, the presence of Skillman Scholars increased the schools’ ability to recruit other minority students. The relationship was termed mutually beneficial; Skillman Scholars enriched the diversity of school climates and school climates nurtured and challenged scholars’ innate talents and abilities.
• 2002 The Skillman Foundation conducted a second in-depth review of the Skillman Scholars program. Based on study outcomes the Skillman Foundation trustees approved revisions to the program in two broad areas: 1) contain costs in a fair manner equally applicable to all schools, and 2) steps to improve program effectiveness. Foundation staff visited each school to present the revised guidelines. The impact of the new guidelines, including a minimum B (3.00) Grade Point Average by the end of the scholar’s sophomore year, were viewed as useful benchmarks by scholars and schools alike.
• 2005 the Foundation commissioned a review of the Skillman Scholars Program to assess the overall impact of the revised guidelines. Schools identified extensive support systems available to students, including individualized attention in and outside of class time. In 2006, The YES Foundation® received a grant from The Skillman Foundation to provide administrative support for the Skillman Scholars Program.
• 2006 The first group of Skillman Scholars admitted under the revised rigorous academic standards graduated in June 2006. The scholars were an impressive group of high achievers. Seven matriculated to highly selective out-of-state colleges and universities and two matriculated to in-state universities. Additionally, the class of 2006 received remarkable scholarship offers.
• 2007 To date, 184 Skillman Scholars graduated from respective high schools and entered the next phase of their education.

The goal of the program is to offer educational opportunity and development for future leaders.

Academically gifted, disadvantaged minority students from the public school or public charter school systems in metro Detroit are eligible to apply, preferably at the ninth grade.

Candidates apply directly to the schools of their choice.

An annual Skillman Scholar Recognition Luncheon celebrates the graduating seniors. The Skillman Scholar Alumni Association provides a network for scholars as well as a mentoring program to help current scholars. Skillman Scholar alumni are also eligible to apply for the Skillman College Scholarships.