COLOMBIAN EDUCATION FUND

About Us:

In March 2013, a multi-disciplinary coalition created the Colombian Education Fund (ColEF) to support the educational goals of students of Colombian origin. Currently, high school and college students of Colombian descent in New York City do not have access to scholarship funds, college readiness information, and mentoring opportunities that focus specifically on them. This coalition wants to address those specific needs in the Colombian community.

Program Description:

The Colombian Education Fund (ColEF) recognizes, rewards, and promotes academic excellence and community service in the Colombian-American community.  We are currently seeking Colombian students, and/or children of Colombian citizens, who are New York State residents and wish to pursue or continue a post-secondary education. A total of five (5) scholarships in the amount of 2000 dollars each will be available to graduating high school seniors or college sophomores currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.

Scholarship recipients will be expected to complete 200 hours of combined community service, internships or scholarship-related activities during the first year as scholars of the program (October2015-October2016). In addition to the hours of service, students will have multiple professional development opportunities, including mentoring.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must have applied to or be enrolled as a full-time student in a college or university, including two-year nonprofit institution in the United States where credits can be earned towards an associates or bachelors degree, including community and junior colleges.  The scholarship may not be used at technical college, vocational programs and for-profit colleges.  Scholarship recipient may pursue any degree program of their choice.

Students not currently matriculated in a college or university may also apply, but funds will not be disbursed until the student is matriculated.  A student will not be eligible for a scholarship is he/she is related to any Consulate employee, scholarship committee member or an individual contributor to the local funds

Award Criteria:

Applicants are eligible for the following 2 types of scholarship awards:

High School Senior: Current New York State residents; Current high school (or home-schooled) seniors, high school graduates or recipients of a GED diploma who are planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution; Hold a minimum 3.00 Grade Point Average or at 85% out of 100%* at the end of their junior year of high school and be of Colombian origin or Colombian descent.

College Sophomore: Current New York State residents; Current matriculated sophomores attending an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution; Hold a minimum 3.00 Grade Point Average or at 85% out of 100%* at the end of their freshman year of college and be of Colombian origin or Colombian descent.

ColEF looks at each application holistically and considers multiple factors when determining award recipients, including the applicant’s academic standing. Priority will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.

* Please note, a minimum college G.P.A. of 3.0 or High School average of 85 is expected of all applicants.  However, if your G.P.A. is under 3.0 or average is under an 85 and you feel that it is a misrepresentation of you and the quality of student you are, please continue to submit your application, in addition to a letter that that explains the factors that contributed to your current G.P.A./average.

Application Process:

To be considered please make sure to submit:

This application form, an official transcript to be mailed to 5-11 47th Avenue Suite 8C Long Island City, NY 11101 ATTN: Colombian Education Fund.  A statement of financial need (1 page or 300 words) that describes: your financial situation and that of your family, eligibility for financial aid or scholarships, employment, health and other issues.  A personal statement (1 page or 300 words) that explains what makes you the perfect candidate.  Additionally, please include what your involvement with the immigrant community has been or how do you plan to give back to the Colombian community when you accomplish your professional goals, your commitment to community advancement, any obstacles you have faced in your educational career and what this scholarship would mean to you. One letter of recommendation to be emailed as an attachment to info@colombianeducationfund.org with applicants name in the subject line Letter stating commitment to match award value from an outside organization/person (optional).

Deadline:

Applications are due by 11:59PM on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.  Review of applications will begin on April 1, 2015.  Scholarship award recipients  will be announced by July 1, 2015 and will continue until all funds have been distributed.

Terms:

Scholarship recipients will be expected to:

Complete 200 hours of combined community service, internships or scholarship-related activities during the first year as scholars of the program (October2015-October2016). Recipients will be assigned a mentor which they will need to contact once a month during their scholarship period. Must attend a mandatory professional development conference and award ceremony to occur August, 2015 (exact date to be determined). Willing to be photographed and/or videotaped