The Application deadline for 2023-2024 is December 31st, 2023. The application consists of:
- this title sheet
- a cover letter
and
- your essay describing your contributions and how they have made your community a better place.
The Application Review Committee must receive applications via email at applications@theleadershipscholarship.org by the end of the day on the application deadline. Please attach the application materials to your email, and ensure the subject line in your email contains the words "Scholarship Application" along with your last name.
The cover letter is a way for you to introduce yourself to the review committee. In your cover letter you can describe yourself in ANY way you like. A cover letter typically is used alongside a resume when a job applicant is applying for a job. The resume describes the skills and experience that the applicant has, and the cover letter speaks directly to the reader and describes the applicant as a human being. The cover letter for this scholarship application should do the same - describe why you are a remarkable human being. Use your creativity here - we want to get to know you!
The essay should describe how you have contributed to your community and how your contributions have made your community a better place to live. The essay portion of the application is usually about 2 pages, and should include specific details of your service and examples of how your service made your community a better place to live. Previous successful applicants have described their service work, including a rough estimate of total hours of service, doing the following:
- Helping in after-school programs in community centers
- Mentoring or tutoring younger students
- Helping elderly community residents in their daily lives
- Cleaning up playgrounds
- Working in food shelves and kitchens feeding neighbors
- Assisting community members in getting medical help, including getting vaccinated
The service you perform in your community does NOT have to be one of the items above.
In your essay, while you are outlining specific examples of service in your community make sure to mention if your volunteer service was set up by a group or if you worked independently, and make it clear in your essay if your work was paid or unpaid.
The Review Committee is looking for applicants who have made a clear impact in their communities, and we are also looking for ways that your community service has changed you for the better as well! Lastly, please also include your plans for continuing your service in the future.
In order to be eligible for the scholarship, you must:
- Be enrolled full time in your last two years of high school, or your first year in college
- Have lived in affordable housing at some point in your life, and/or have qualified for educational benefits under the criteria in the "Application for Educational Benefits" form. Educational benefits refer to free or reduced price lunches, so if you qualified for free/reduced price lunches you are eligible.
- If you have any questions on eligibility please
send us an email well in advance of the Dec 31 deadline.
