2018 Greater Washington Urban League Scholarship Application and Instructions
INTRODUCTION The Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) has guided individuals, families and regional government through systemic challenges over the past 80 years. In that time, GWUL has impacted over two million lives, using the approaches of social work, advocacy, law and other disciplines. As a staple in our community, GWUL has been working tirelessly for a just and more equitable society serving residents in Washington, DC, Montgomery County and Prince George s County, MD. GWUL manages and administers programs in: education; employment and training; housing and community development; health promotion; financial literacy; and emergency assistance. Our mission is to ensure everyone in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is on the road to self sufficiency through a variety of innovative programs. In doing so, it s essential to increase the economic empowerment of Black, Latino and other traditionally underserved populations to share equally in the responsibilities and rewards of full citizenship. As an important and longstanding manifestation of its mission, together the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) and it s young professionals auxiliary, Thursday Network (TN) is committed to awarding educational opportunities to high school seniors in regards to scholarships for college-bound students. In conjunction with numerous concerned corporate sponsors, GWUL has facilitated the distribution of more than $2 million in scholarships to more than 300 young adults to financially support their freshman year at any accredited 4-year college or university in the United States. Recipients have gone on to a diverse and elite range of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, local institutions of higher education, Ivy League institutions and other colleges/universities, as well as the Job Corps or other special post-secondary education and trade. For the 2017-2018 school year, the Greater Washington Urban League will award several scholarships to deserving high school scholars, ranging from $500 to $8000. All scholarship disbursements are to be used for tuition and will be delivered directly to the bursar s/student accounts office of the student s school for the fall term of their freshman year of college. About GWUL s Young Professionals Auxiliary, Thursday Network: 2016-2017 GWUL SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS Charlotte Elizabeth Yancey Eights Scholarship Monumental Sports Scholarship LINK Strategic Partners Scholarship and Internship Safeway Scholarship Giant Scholarship SIMS Foundation STEM Scholarship I Empower Scholarship Thursday Network is the young professionals auxiliary of the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL), and the Washington, DC metro area chapter of the National Urban League Young Professionals. The mission of Thursday Network is to provide a forum for young adults, ages 21-40, to focus their energies on community service, civic engagement and fostering personal and professional development. Through the leadership of the Community Service Committee, Thursday Network has developed several outreach efforts that benefit children and the youth, the elderly, and the environment. The capstone of our year is a month of volunteerism called Young Blacks Give Back. 2
2017 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Elizabeth Olaiya Northwood High School Monumental Sports Scholarship ($4,000) Bethany Pruitt Washington, Math, Science Technology PCHS Monumental Sports Scholarship ($4,000) Frank Alvarado Washington, Math, Science Technology PCHS Yancey Eights Scholarship ($8,000) Martha J. Mendez Cardoza Education Campus Public Charter High School Sims Foundation STEM Scholarship ($1,000) Maria Cruz-Gomez Cardoza Education Campus Link Strategic Partners Scholarship ($1,500) Link Strategic Partners Internship ($2,500) Brianna D. Spruill Crossland High School Safeway ($2,500) Giant Scholarship ($1,500) Afua Asamoah Northwest High School Bryanna Massenberg Crossland High School Christian Ndaye Cardoza Education Campus Kail Thompson McKinley Tech High School Markell Williams Anacostia High School Beatriz Trageta Rockville High School I Empower Book Scholarship ($1,000) Abraham Haltegiogis Cesar Chavez Public Charter School I Empower Book Scholarship ($1,000) Omolola Lanusi Seneca Valley High School I Empower Book Scholarship ($1,000) Quantez Walker National Collegiate Prep I Empower Book Scholarship ($500) Labryah Griggs Cesar Chavez Capitol Hill Public Charter School I Empower Book Scholarship ($500) Mariama Conteh Cesar Chavez Capitol Hill Public Charter School I Empower Book Scholarship ($500) Bryant Williams Seneca Valley High School I Empower Book Scholarship ($500) 3
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA In order to be eligible to receive a Greater Washington Urban League Scholarship, one must: Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the fall of 2018 Demonstrate a commitment to community service; Gross family income must be less than $45,000 Be a minority of African, Hispanic, and/or Latino descent Be a U.S. Citizen Be a permanent resident and/or attend high school in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County (MD), or Prince George s County (MD); and Complete and supply a copy of all application materials postmarked no later than January 26, 2018. APPLICATION CHECKLIST Your application will not be considered complete unless it includes each of the following documents and is postmarked by January 26, 2018. Application 3 copies of Essays #1 and #2 Responses Proof of Financial Need to include a list of all scholarships awarded thus far and a copy of Student Aid Report (SAR) or W2 form.* Two Letters of Recommendation Official High School Transcript Official Copy of SAT or ACT scores (if not provided on transcript)** *Please blackout any confidential information on the tax documents that are not required for this application such as social security number. (please refer to attached sample) **Test results must be on official letterhead; print out of electronic copy from testing site is acceptable APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS In order to be considered complete, your application must include all supporting documents. All required materials (including recommendation letters) must be submitted in one packet/ mailing. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Complete all sections of the application as instructed. You are responsible for making sure all application materials are submitted or postmarked no later than January 26, 2018. While you may type or handwrite your responses on the application form, please type your response to the essay question on a separate sheet. Please make sure your responses are legible. Be sure to write your last name at the bottom of each page of the application. DO NOT staple any portion of your application or additional sheets. Please submit all materials to: GWUL Scholarships ATTN: Kristin Shymoniak P.O. Box 73203 Washington, DC 20056-3203 Due to the large number of applicants, we will not be able to consider applications that are submitted or postmarked after January 26, 2018. There will be no exceptions made. If you wish to contact us about the application process, you may do so by sending an e-mail to scholarship@thursdaynetwork.org. Every completed application we receive is thoroughly evaluated by at least three members of the Scholarship Review Committee. Given the number of applications we receive each year, and our commitment to giving each application our utmost consideration, we ask that you be patient. If you are selected as one of our 2018 scholarship recipients, you will be notified of your award by February 9, 2018. The scholarship recipients will be expected to participate in a mandatory photo shoot and video taping on February 24, 2018* and attend the Greater Washington Urban League s Whitney M. Young Gala and Reception on March 16, 2018 to be recognized for their accomplishments; write a thank you letter to sponsorship funders; and participate in a scholarship recipient video and a community service activity with Thursday Network, the young professionals auxiliary of the Greater Washington Urban League. Thank you for applying to the Greater Washington Urban League Scholarships! *Date is subject to change. 4
SECTION I: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Name: Last First MIddle Date of Birth: / / Sex: Male Female Race/Ethnicity: U.S. Citizen: Yes No Permanent Address: Street Apt. City State Zip Current Address: (Only if different from above) Street Apt. City State Zip Permanent Telephone Number: - - Email Address: TN USE ONLY Applicant s Last Name: 5
SECTION II: EDUCATION Name of High School: Cumulative High School GPA (Please use a 4.0 scale):. Standardized Test Scores (please provide supporting documentation): SAT SCORES ACT SCORES Mathematics: English: Critical Reading: Mathematics: Writing: Reading: TOTAL: Science: COMPOSITE: Please list the colleges/universities to which you have applied. Provide additional sheets if needed. NAME Location (City, State) Applicant s Last Name: 6
SECTION III: AWARDS, HONORS, & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Please list any academic honors, awards, and extracurricular activities from the past 3 years. Provide additional sheets if needed. Name of Honor/Award/Activity Short Description Year(s) SECTION IV: WORK EXPERIENCE Please list any work (including after-school/summer jobs, volunteer positions, internships) that you have done over the past 3 years. If you chose to provide a resume, make sure it provides the hours you spent working. Provide additional sheets if needed. Title Employer Name Dates of Employment Approx. Hours per Week Applicant s Last Name: 7
SECTION V: COMMUNITY SERVICE List at least three community service projects or programs that you have done over the past 3 years. Provide additional sheets if needed. Total # of Community Service Hours: Name of Community Service Activity/Program Short Description Hours of Service SECTION VI: FINANCIAL INFORMATION Please provide the following documents. All information received will be kept confidential and will be used only for the purpose of assessing your financial need. You may include a written statement describing any major changes in your family s financial situation. A.) List of all private grants/scholarships awarded thus far; AND B.) Your most recent Student Aid Report (SAR) or W-2 Form Applicant s Last Name: 8
SECTION VII: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Please provide two letters of recommendation. One of those letters must come from a faculty member and one from anyone who has had oversight or a supervisory role in your community service activities. Parents/ guardians may not submit a letter on their child s behalf. In the spaces below, please indicate from whom we may expect to receive letters of recommendation. Recommender Name Affiliation/Organization Faculty: Community Service: Applicant s Last Name: 9
SECTION VIII: ESSAYS The National Urban League (NUL) has a history of providing direct services to communities in need. In honor of this commitment the Greater Washington Urban League Scholarship Recipient must describe how he/she would assist a community in need and how he/she has served his/her community by writing two essays addressing the following questions: Essay #1 The pursuit of higher education is built upon our own experiences, passions, and the environment in which we live. Describe your most influential experience that inspired you to pursue higher education. How do you plan to inspire other students to pursue higher education after you graduate? Essay #2 Describe a community service activity in which you have participated and exhibited an exceptional commitment to improving the community in which you live. How did the activity touch your life and improve your community? How did your efforts relate to one (or more) points of the National Urban League's Four Empowerment Goals? National Urban League s Four Empowerment Goals: 1. Jobs 2. Education 3. Health 4. Housing How will you continue a spirit of service while in college? For a detailed description of the Four Empowerment Goals, visit: http://www.iamempowered.com Each essay response should be no longer than 500 words, which should be double spaced and typed in 12-point font. Font type should be Times New Roman and Normal margins (1 inch top/bottom and left/ right). Your essay will be evaluated for clarity of expression, use of proper grammar, and punctuation, and the extent to which you address each of the items in the questions above. The Greater Washington Urban League and Thursday Network defines plagiarism as a direct violation of intellectual and academic honesty". Although it exists in many forms, all plagiarism refers to the same act: representing somebody else s words or ideas as one s own. This can take the form of taking material from other sources, including the Internet, and deliberately failing to give credit in your essay to the original source. Therefore, it is very important that you properly document sources in your essay responses. 10
Sample W-2 Form 11