Search for Recepient #4

Many people have been asking what the scholarship is about and what are we looking for in our candidates. Here is the cover of our scholarship application with the information requested.

THE SCHOLARSHIP
Each spring, The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship, Inc. will select a high school senior to receive a yearly scholarship of $500 for up to four years, a total of $2,000, for the payment of academic expenses related to his or her attendance at an institution of higher education. The selected applicant will receive the annual award as long as he or she is enrolled full-time in good standing at an accredited four-year college or university. In addition, the recipient is required to provide annual written updates on his or her academic progress and career pursuits, proof of matriculation and a current transcript.

THE PURPOSE
The purpose of The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship is to encourage, in memory of Stephanie Marie Burgos, the pursuit of higher education by students who possess an enthusiasm for the fine and communication arts, have experienced adversity in their lives and demonstrate financial need.

STEPHANIE MARIE BURGOS
Stephanie Marie Burgos was born on March 1, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York, to a single parent household. She was raised with three siblings in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, attending New York City public schools. Academics were a challenge to Stephanie as she suffered from a learning disability, but she possessed a passion and a talent for writing, singing, dancing and the piano.

After the 7th grade, Stephanie relocated with her family to Durham, North Carolina and was tragically struck down there in a car accident on September 15, 2005. The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship was founded to administer a scholarship in Stephanie’s memory to assist the higher education of students who share her passion for the fine and communication arts and her experience of adversity.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Senior in good standing at a New York City public high school.
• Minimum of 80% grade point average or equivalent;
• Accepted by at least one accredited four-year college or university and planning to attend on a full-time basis.
• Demonstrated financial need.
• At least two of the following three criteria:
o Overcame an academic challenge (includes a student with an Individualized Education Plan or significant academic gains over time).
o Overcame social or emotional difficulties (e.g. a single parent household or a family suffering economic or circumstantial hardship).
o Possess an interest in the fine or communication arts.


SELECTION
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic achievement, personal statement (writing skills, personal qualities and strengths, etc.), financial need and recommendation letter(s).

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1 – APRIL 9, 2011
Applications must be submitted to your college advisor for review. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the application form and all supporting documents are submitted on time. No exceptions or extensions will be made. If you would like confirmation that we received your application materials, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope and we will send you a notice of receipt.


Act fast, the deadline is early April 2011. You can obtain a copy of the application via email or written request as suggested on the blog's prior post. Thank you for your interest.