High Hopes Scholarship Application Guide

APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

INFORMATION

The Berkeley Community Fund’s scholarship programs are designed to provide financial and personal support for deserving and resilient Berkeley public high school students attending 4-year colleges on a full-time basis. This year, between 12 and 15 scholarships of $16,000 – payable in installments of $4,000 per year for four years – will be awarded, based on demonstrated financial need, academic and personal achievement. Funds awarded by the Berkeley Community Fund (BCF) may be used for tuition, books, room and board and incidental expenses in connection with the recipient’s college education. In addition to the scholarship award, recipients are partnered with a personal mentor for four years.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

A) High Hopes Scholarships: Four-year need-based scholarships ($4,000 per year) awarded to Berkeley public high school students who will begin attending a 4-year college full-time in the
Fall of 2013. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA over 2.5 in high school.
Two of our scholarships have specific requirements:

1.  1. The Berkeley High Class of 1951/BCF Scholarship: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in high school. **

1. 2. The Arts High Hopes Scholarship: Applicants must be continuing their artistic studies in college. This includes music, art, studio, dance, drama, etc.**

**If you apply for these specifically, it does not mean that you don’t qualify for
our general scholarship (at 2.5 GPA). Also, this doesn’t mean that only one art
student will get a scholarship.

SELECTION CRITERIA

BCF evaluates applicants based on financial need, the application package, personal statements, and recommendations. We look for: academic achievement reflected in the required GPA in a challenging mix of courses throughout high school; other activities, including in-school positions, particularly those that reflect leadership and initiative; community service activities and/or work experience. All finalists will be contacted and interviewed before the final awards are made.

1. Senior attending Berkeley High School or B-Tech during the 2012-13 academic year.

2. Demonstrated:

• Academic preparation to attend college;

• Ability to overcome obstacles to achieve academic and personal goals;

• Quality involvement with others through work, school, family and/or community.

3. Documented financial need.

4. Will be a full-time student at a four-year accredited college or university in the U.S. in Fall 2013.

5. Cumulative minimum GPA over 2.5 in high school.

6. Must be available for an interview on May 8, 2013.

7. Must be available to attend BCF Awards ceremony on Monday, June 3, 2013.

 APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Complete and submit an online application.

2. Submit letters of recommendation from two adults: One familiar with your academic achievement and one (not a relative) familiar with your activities outside the classroom. NOTE: The letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically; therefore you will need to request the contact information of your recommenders (email and daytime telephone number) so that the BCF may contact them, separately. It is also your responsibility to ensure that they respond to our request. If we do not receive their response, your application will be incomplete and ineligible for review.

3. Mail or e-mail the following required documents:

a. Transcripts from all schools attended from 9th to 12th grade (official or unofficial) with GPA.

b. Financial Information Form

c. Copy of parent(s), step-parent or guardian 2011 or 2012 Federal 1040 Income Tax Return – see Section D or other requested information on financial need.

d. A copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) showing expected family contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA or explanation of its unavailability.

e. Certifications Document with your Parent or Guardian’s signature (required on all applications, regardless of age) and College Advisor’s signature.

f. ONLY for those applying to The Arts High Hopes Scholarship: you also need to include your art work. You can do so by submitting a flash drive.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 8, 2013.

AND MAILED TO:

OR: E-mailed to: scholarship@berkfund.org

OR: Delivered BY HAND no later than NOON on APRIL 8, 2013 to:

AWARD SELECTION PROCEDURE

• The scholarship committee will review all applications that are submitted by the deadline of Monday, April 8, 2013.

• Finalists will be invited for an interview in May (between the 8th and 15th).

• Recipients will be notified of BCF’s decision no later than May 20, 2013 *subject to confirmation of other financial resources, including scholarships and loans.

• All scholarship recipients (High Hopes Scholars) will be honored at an Awards Ceremony, with their friends and families, on Monday, June 3, 2013.

HIGH HOPES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Once part of this program, High Hopes Scholars receive:

• A $16,000 scholarship, awarded over four years ($2,000 per semester per year).

• A personal mentor through four years of college.

• College counseling, life skills training, and a supportive community.

Once part of this program, High Hopes Scholars must attend college full-time and maintain a 2.25 GPA to continue to receive funds. They also have an obligation to give back to the community, communicate with their donor and mentor and attend BCF events during summers and school breaks.

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To download this guide, click here.