PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION P A G E G R A N T APPLICATION P.O. Box , Minneapolis, MN

Transcription

1 PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION P A G E G R A N T APPLICATION P.O. Box , Minneapolis, MN 55458

2 PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION Page Grant Application Information HISTORY: A young person s lifelong success begins with an education. Guided by our mission to encourage Minnesota s youth of color to pursue post-secondary education, the Page Education Foundation promotes the academic achievement, personal responsibility and untapped potential of Minnesota s students of color to become vital contributors to their communities. We accomplish this by awarding grants. PAGE GRANT PROGRAM: The Page Education Foundation awards annual, renewable grants to students of color who are pursuing a post-secondary education in Minnesota. Students who accept a Page Grant must make a commitment to volunteer tutoring younger children of color in kindergarten-8 th grade through a clearly defined Service to Children Project. The goals of the Service to Children Project are to encourage and assist young children of color to do well in school, have a positive attitude about education and see college as an attainable long-term goal. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: To apply an applicant must: Be a student of color and graduate of a Minnesota high school. Be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the state of Minnesota. Maintain full-time status throughout the academic year in order to remain eligible. Be willing to complete a minimum of 50 volunteer hours tutoring children in grades K-8 th per academic year awarded the grant. IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR ALL APPLICANTS: There are no academic requirements except to maintain full-time status year around. Non U.S. Citizens are encouraged to apply. This grant must be renewed each year. Incomplete and late applicant packets will not be considered. All applications must be post-marked no later than May 1, Electronic submission of application packet through fax or will not be accepted under any circumstances. AWARDS: Page Grants range from $1,000-$2,500 per student annually. Grant amounts vary based on the type of post-secondary educational institution applicant attends. APPLICATION: The Page Education Foundation application window opens January 1, 2015 and closes May 1, Interested students must complete the application and mail it along with the required documents (see checklist) by May 1, Mail applications to: P.O. Box , Minneapolis, Minnesota Grant Application Due: May 1, 2015 Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary documents. Electronic submission of application packets through fax or will not be accepted. If hand delivering the application packet to our physical office, all correspondence must reach staff members no later than the end of the business day on May 1, 2015 at 5:00 pm. SELECTION PROCESS: We award Minnesota s students of color pursuing dreams of post-secondary education, have demonstrated a commitment to education despite facing over-whelming barriers, and are passionate about giving back to their communities. There are two sets of applicants the Page Education Foundation s Selection Committee reviews: NEW grant recipients are chosen based on the quality of their essay, letters of recommendation, financial need, and a willingness to complete the Service to Children volunteer project requirement. RETURNING grant recipients are chosen based on the quality of their essay describing their Service to Children Project, feedback from their volunteer sites reported on the Service to Children Evaluation Form, progress in studies (i.e. ability to maintain full-time status), and successful completion of the required 50 hours of volunteer service by May 1, Applicants will be notified in mid-june of their application s status and notification will be sent to the provided on the grant application. If selected, an Acceptance Letter will accompany the award notification. Selected recipients must sign and return their Acceptance Letter to the Foundation by the due date specified and prior to distribution of any grant payments. Not all applicants will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final. SERVICE-TO-CHILDREN PROJECT DETAILS: Selected applicants must complete a Service-to-Children Project, which is a volunteer service to a community organization in Minnesota tutoring children in kindergarten-8 th grade for a minimum of 50 hours. Under circumstances that would prevent completion of the required service hours, recipients will forfeit the grant.

3 PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION Page Grant Application Packet Check List For consideration, the Page Grant application must be signed and all required materials must be postmarked no later than May 1, Faxed or ed copies of applications will not be accepted. Mailing address: P.O. Box , Minneapolis, MN HELP US RECEIVE YOUR DOCUMENTS. If you are mailing pieces of your Page Grant application packet separately, please help us receive your mail by clearly printing your full name as it appears on the application. An application packet, in order to be considered complete, must contain all of the following documents: NEW APPLICANTS: You are considered a new applicant if you are a high school senior or a current college student who has never been selected for a Page Grant and issued a Page Grant payment. A signed and completed Page Grant Application. Essay 500 words: All submitted essays must be typed, in basic essay format, and provide the following information: name of applicant, address, and clear responses to the following three questions: 1. Why is education personally important to you? 2. What are your education goals and future career plans? 3. What is the Service-to-Children Project you would like to complete if you are awarded the scholarship? Two Letters of Recommendation: All submitted letters should be typed, on professional letterhead and no more than 1 page. One letter of recommendation must be from a teacher at your school. Second letter must be from a community professional who is not related to you or a family friend. (i.e. an educator, a supervisor, professional mentor, coach, pastor) The letter should clearly state how you know of one another. Copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR)/FAFSA from Federal Student Aid or Parents 2014 IRS tax form, 2015 government assistance benefits statement with annual family income and number of house hold. Non-US citizens may submit a letter from a high school counselor verifying status or a copy of Dream ACT application. Copy of high school transcript(s) Applicants currently in college must also submit a copy of their high school transcript(s) as proof they are a graduate from a Minnesota high school. We accept copies of Unofficial Transcripts. Copy of college transcript(s) May submit an Unofficial Transcript. RETURNING APPLICANTS: You are considered a returning applicant if you were selected as a recipient of the Page Grant any time in the past and were issued a Page Grant payment. A signed and completed Page Grant Application. Reflection Essay 500 words: All submitted essays must be typed, in basic essay format, and provide the following information: name of applicant, year in school, post-secondary ed. institution attending, major pursuing and future career plans. Essay must clearly respond to all 3 of the following three inquiries: 1. Describe your Service to Children Project including detailed information about the children you served. (i.e. name of organization, name of program, grades of children you served, and interactions with one particular student that made an impact on you.) 2. What did you learn from completing your Service-to-Children Project this year? What were some challenges? 3. What are your plans for next years Service to Children Project should you receive the Page Grant again? Completed Service-to-Children Evaluation Form. The Service to Children evaluation form must be completed and signed by your volunteer site supervisor. Late forms, forms without signatures and/or incomplete information will not be accepted. Copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR)/FAFSA from Federal Student Aid or Parents 2014 IRS tax form, 2015 government assistance benefits statement with annual family income and number of house hold, Dream ACT application. Copy of most recent college transcript(s). We accept copies of Unofficial Transcripts without current semester s grade. Ensure cumulative GPA is clearly visible on all submitted transcripts.

4 PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION Frequently Asked Questions Q: Who can apply for the Page Grant? A: Students of color who graduate from a Minnesota high school and will be attending an accredited Minnesota post-secondary school at full-time enrollment are eligible to apply. Q: Which colleges qualify? A: Any accredited post-secondary educational institution in Minnesota, including state and private 4-year universities, 2-year community and technical colleges, and vocational schools. Q: What amount are Page Grants? A: Page Grants range from $1,000 to $2,500 per student annually. Grant amounts vary based on the type of post-secondary educational institution applicant attends. Some colleges provide matching funds. Check with your college to see if matching funds are available for you. Q: How are Page Grant funds distributed? A: Payments are issued directly to the school in two installments (first half in the fall semester/second half in the spring semester), is contingent upon submission of required forms, and verification of full-time status enrollment. Q: How long does a Page Grant last? A: Page Grants are given for one year at a time and are renewable. Students must reapply each year by May 1st. Q: What are my chances of getting a Page Grant? A: Not all applicants will be selected as recipients. Selection priority is given to returning applicants who are renewing their grants, graduating high school seniors, and then all other applicants. New applicants are selected based on the quality of their essay, proposed Service-to-Children Project, and letters of recommendation. Returning applicants are selected based on their essay, a successful completion of required 50 hours of volunteer service, and progress in studies (i.e. ability to maintain full-time status). Q: What are the requirements for the Service-to-Children project? A: Page Scholars may select their projects from a list of community organizations in Minnesota that past Page Scholars have volunteered with or select their own site that fulfills the following criteria: a volunteer project in Minnesota, with children in K 8 th grade, serve an academic purpose, and completed during the year recipients are awarded the grant. Q: Will anyone be available to help me set up a service project? A: The Foundation staff will provide you with an Orientation to answer questions Page Scholars may have about service projects, a Community Partners Handbook, and a weekly to Page Scholars containing information of current community organizations seeking volunteers. Ultimately students must take the initiative in selecting their organization and volunteer program and are held accountable for completing the 50 hours. Q: If I m selected, can I complete my service project in the summer? A: We encourage all Page Scholars to complete their Service-to-Children Project in the summer time. The Page Education Foundation follows the academic calendar and therefore students looking to volunteer in the summer must volunteer the summer prior to May 1 of the ensuing year. Example: If awarded the grant for the academic year, students must volunteer the summer of 2015 and NOT the summer of All volunteer hours must be completed by May 1, 2016 is you wish to renew your Page Grant again for the academic year. Q: When are the names of Page Grant recipients announced? A: Students are notified in mid-june of their application s status and will be contacted through the address provided to us on the grant application. Students selected to be Page Scholars are invited to attend the Page Scholar Award Ceremony in late June and an Orientation in early August. Q: What does it mean to be postmarked by May 1? A: A post-mark is an official mark stamped on a letter or other postal package giving the place, date, and time of posting. It informs the Foundation of when you dropped your mail off at the post-office. You do not do post-marks, the post-office does. As long as your grant application has May 1 stamped on the front of the envelope by the post-office we will accept your grant application. Q: How will I know if you received my Page Grant application packet? A: The foundation does not track or notify applicants when application packets or documents are received. Applicants are encouraged to use the checklist provided (pg. 3) and to pay for certified mail with tracking through postal services if receipt of delivery is a concern of theirs. Students will be notified of their application s status in mid-june.

5 STUDENT INFORMATION PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION Page Grant Application Student s Legal Name: (Last Name) (First Name) (Middle Name) Social Security #: or College I.D. # Important: This information is used to identify recipients and issue payments only. You must provide at least one of the above. Date of Birth: / / Sex: F M Primary Phone: ( ) - Address: City:, Minnesota Zip: Cell Phone Home Phone Work Secondary Phone: ( ) - Cell Phone Home Phone Work PEF s primary communication is through . Recipients are notified through . It is important to provide an active account you check often. Race: Check all that apply. African American/Black American Indian Asian/Pacific Islander Hispanic or Latino/a Other: EDUCATION INFORMATION NEW APPLICANTS ONLY Name of Minnesota High School (HS): Date of Graduation: / / High School GPA:. Are you the first person in your family to: Graduate from high school Yes Attend college Yes No No Are you and your parents: Check all that apply. Immigrants Refugees RETURNING APPLICANTS ONLY MN post-secondary educational institution you attend: If U of M Specify College: Current GPA:. How many years have you been a Page Scholar? Year Entered Program: Me Parents No Me Parents No Ethnicity: (From) Year Exited Program: (To) Leave exit information empty if you were a Page Scholar in Name of the Minnesota post-secondary educational institution you will be attending in : Same as institution listed above Your program is a: 2 year program 4 year Have you been accepted into the program? Yes No What is your anticipated major/area of study? Minor: When you begin school in the fall, what year will you be? 1 st Year/Never Attended College 4 th Year/Undergrad Senior What is your estimated graduation date? Upon graduating you will have earned: General Transfer Associates Bachelors Masters/Doctorate 1 2 nd Year/Undergrad Sophomore 3 rd Year/Undergrad Junior st Year/Some College 5 th Year/Other Undergraduate Graduate/Professional School Specify: Year: Are you acquainted with a former or current Page Scholar(s)? Page Scholar s Full Name: Fall Winter Spring Summer Certificate Yes No Other: Relationship to You: If yes, please list their name and information below.

6 FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION Parent/Guardian 1 Name: Parent/Guardian 2 Name: Parent/Guardian 1 Phone: ( ) - Parent/Guardian 2 Phone: ( ) - Are you an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth as determined by High School/Homeless Liaison? Yes No SCHOLARSHIPS Please list all the scholarships and loans you have applied for this year including their amounts. Attach a separate sheet if needed. Name of scholarship/grant/loan $ Amount Status (Yes/No/Pending) EMPLOYMENT HISTORY You may submit a resume in response to these questions. Name of Employer From Year Until Year Hrs Worked Per Week COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INFORMATION INTERNSHIPS Name of Internship Site From Year Until Year Hrs Interned Per Week Paid or Unpaid VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Name of Volunteer Site From Year Until Year Hrs Volunteered Per Week ACTIVITIES/ASSOCIATIONS Name of Association/conferences/workshops attended From Year Until Year Position(s) you occupied Have you participated in a study abroad or national student exchange program? Yes No Do you have a mentor in the community? Yes No If yes, please share your mentor s full name: Check any of the following programs you are part of: AVID TRIO Wallin Scholar Pohlad Scholar Power of You Upward Bound Bush Fellow Genesys Works MN Future Dr s Program Travelers EDGE College Possible CP High School: Coach s Name: How did you hear about the Page Education Foundation? Friends/Family Career Center/Academic Advisor Internet Page Staff Presentation Other, specify: SIGNATURE I declare that the information reported on this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I will notify the Page Education Foundation of any changes in my financial status or future plans should these changes occur during the selection process. I understand that should I receive a Page Education Foundation Grant, I will complete the Service-to-Children Project while I receive the funds for next year. I give my permission for my college or university to release information regarding my status as a student to representatives of Page Education Foundation. I understand that this information would otherwise be considered private under state and federal laws and could not be released without my consent. This information may include enrollment status (part-time/full-time, graduated or on suspension/probation), mid-term alerts, course grades, term and cumulative grades and credits, expected graduation term/year, cost of attendance, information pertaining to my financial aid package or student account, student ID number and general information. I also give permission for my photograph and likeness to be used in materials that publicize Page Education Foundation. I understand that my full name and graduation information may be published on the scholarship website, social media and on programs if accepted into the Page Grant Program. Should I be accepted into the Page Grant Program this authorization will remain in effect for the duration of and after my college career. Name: Date: Your grant application will not be considered unless signed, completed and submitted with required documents post marked no later than May 1, Please help us receive ALL your documents mailed after the submission of this application by clearly writing your name as it appears on this application onto all correspondence sent to our office.