Mexican American Alumni Association Scholarship Changing Student s Lives for Over 30 years Application Deadline: May 30, 2008 To be completed by applicant : Name Last First M.I. USC ID# Email Phone# Birth Date / / Check only one please: Incoming Undergraduate Student Continuing Undergraduate Student Incoming Graduate Student Continuing Graduate Student Have you previously received the MAAA Scholarship: Yes No All applications must be POSTMARKED by May 30, 2008 to the following address: Mexican American Alumni Association Scholarship University of Southern California Division of Student Affairs 3601 Trousdale Parkway Student Union 203 Los Angeles, CA 90089-4890 1
USC MEXICAN AMERICAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Dear Applicant: The USC Mexican American Alumni Association provides partial tuition aid grants to U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents that are currently attending or will be attending the University of Southern California for the 2008-2009 academic school year. The scholarship is for students pursing Undergraduate and Graduate (Master s Candidates Only) degrees at USC who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latino/Hispanic community. Students must be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible for the scholarship. In order to be considered as full-time, undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester and graduate students must complete a minimum of 8 units per semester. The scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year. The intent of this program is to supplement the financial aid received by the applicant. A student must apply and be eligible for other financial aid resources (CSS Profile Registration and Application, FAFSA, USC Financial Aid, student loans, college workstudy, etc.). The financial aid status of the applicant is determined by the USC Financial Aid Office. The need assessment and the financial aid package are evaluated to determine the amount of assistance that can be provided by the USC MAAA. If a student is awarded, the MAAA Scholarship will alleviate part of a subsidized loan (i.e. Subsidized Stafford, Perkins, Gate loan) or workstudy in the student s financial aid package for the academic year. The applicant is responsible for providing the following items: 1. A completed USC MAAA Scholarship application form. Make sure you answer all items. Thoroughness and neatness of the application are important. An incomplete application will not be evaluated by the Committee. 2. Submit a typed essay (2 pages maximum, double spaced) on one of the following topics: 1. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. How does this relate to the person you are? 2. Tell us about an obstacle that you have faced in your life. How did you deal with this obstacle and what was the outcome? How has this obstacle shaped your life and/or your dreams and aspirations? 3. Describe a fictional character, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain that influence. Why has this influence been important to your personal development? 8
You may include any other information you feel is relevant in explaining why you are a good candidate for the MAAA Scholarship. Continuing MAAA scholars may include in the essay their participation in any MAAA activities. Provide a brief explanation as to how this participation has been significant in your development as a student. 3. A student resume is a required part of the MAAA Scholarship application. Please attach your resume to the application itself. If you have any questions regarding the structure of the resume, please use the sample resume attached in the following page as a guide. Applications not containing the student resume will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for an award. 4. Two original letters of recommendation are required from incoming students. Continuing MAAA scholars are only required to provide one letter of recommendation. The letters of recommendation can be from professors, teachers, teacher s assistants, work supervisors, community service supervisors, principals, school administrators, school counselors, advisors, etc. Please ensure that letters are on official stationery and are addressed to the USC Mexican American Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. The letter(s) must provide insightful information about yourself so that the Scholarship Committee may properly evaluate your application. 5. Unofficial transcripts are required for continuing USC graduate and undergraduate students, and for incoming transfer and graduate students. Transcripts should include Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 grades. Oasis and Stars reports will not be accepted for continuing USC students. Incoming freshmen do not need to submit transcripts. An application will be considered only after the above mentioned items have been provided. The DEADLINE for submitting the completed application with all required items to the USC Mexican American Programs Office is Friday, MAY 30, 2008. No applications will be accepted after the DEADLINE!!! APPLICATION CHECKLIST Signed and completed application Essay (2 pages double spaced) Student resume Letter of recommendation #1 Letter of recommendation #2 (if not continuing scholar) Unofficial transcript Postmark on or before May 30, 2008 9
SELECTION CRITERIA Some of the factors considered in evaluating the application include: Financial aid need Availability of other financial aid resources Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) Current student loan obligations Completed application Community/University involvement One of the expectations of the USC MAAA is that upon graduation the scholarship recipients will become members of the Association. Therefore, special consideration is given to those students/recipients who are actively involved with the USC Office of Mexican American Programs and participate in the various MAAA activities. A student who has received the USC MAAA scholarship in the past will be given priority consideration for an MAAA award. However, continuing USC MAAA scholars must still submit a completed application package and have 24 or more completed units for the 2007-2008 academic year with a G.P.A. of 2.5 or better. THE MAAA IS NOT OBLIGATED TO FUND ALL FORMER RECIPIENTS. The legibility, completeness, accuracy and quality of information provided in this application is taken into consideration when evaluating applicants. Please ensure that your application and its required items meet acceptable quality standards. PLEASE NOTE: FAXED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED! All awarded students will receive notification of their award throughout the months of August and September. However, no regret letters will be sent. All decisions by the Scholarship Committee are final. *For those who are selected, 10 credits of volunteer/involvement service within MAAA events will be required for the 2008-2009 Academic Year. If there are any questions, please call the USC Mexican American Programs Office at (213) 740-4735. APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED BY FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008 COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT TO: USC MEXICAN AMERICAN PROGRAMS 3601 TROUSDALE PARKWAY STUDENT UNION BUILDING, ROOM 203 LOS ANGELES, CA 90089-4890 (213) 740-4735 10
Section A: Student Information Permanent Mailing Address Name Street City State Zip Code State of legal residence Contact Information Telephone ( ) - Cell ( ) - Email Address USC email Address Ethnicity: Gender: Male Female (Optional) Specify Are you a US citizen? Yes No If not, are you a documented permanent resident? Yes No Are you a first generation college student? Yes No Are any of your family members current/former MAAA scholars? Yes No If so, please list their names: Name: Name: How were you informed about the MAAA Scholarship? Section B: USC Information Incoming Students: Semester of expected admission: Fall 2008 Spring 2009 Are you a transfer student? Yes No Are you a graduate student? Yes No Undergraduate Students: Class standing for 2008-2009 academic year: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Expected date of graduation: Fall Spring 20 Major: Minor: Cumulative USC GPA (continuing undergraduate students only): Graduate Students: Degree Program: Class standing for 2008-2009 academic year: 1 st year 2 nd year 3 rd year 4 th year Expected Date of Graduation: Fall Spring 20 Cumulative GPA (continuing graduate students only): Section C: Educational Information High School Students: Name of high school attended City and State Graduation Date / / Cumulative GPA: SAT Score: Math Verbal Writing and/or ACT Score 2
Transfer Students: List most recent post-secondary schools attended: School Name City State Dates Attended Major Degree Total Units Cumulative College GPA: Incoming Graduate Students: List schools where undergraduate coursework was completed: Dates School Name City State Attended Major/ Minor Degree Total Units Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: Section D: Volunteer Information (including MAAA events) All Students: Program: Position Held Supervisor or person in charge Hrs. per week Responsibilities Program: Position Held Supervisor or person in charge Hrs. per week Responsibilities Program: Position Held Supervisor or person in charge Hrs. per week Responsibilities Program: Position Held Supervisor or person in charge Hrs. per week Responsibilities 3
Section E: Financial Information Complete all that apply: Married Students: Number of Dependant Children? Spouse Income? Employed Students: Employer name: Position Held: Hours worked per week: Monthly Income: Dependant Students: Combined household income: Number of dependants in household (including yourself): List dependants (not including yourself): Name School Continuing USC Students: List the Financial Aid you received Last Year: (Scholarships, grants, fellowship etc) Name of Award Amount Additional Aid: List any Non-Scholarship Aid (loans, work study program etc) Name of Award Amount To date total amount of loans borrowed: Continuing MAAA Scholars: List the year/s awarded and the amount of the scholarship/s that you have received. Years Awarded Amount 4
Section F: Essay Please write an essay of approximately 500-700 words (about two double-spaced pages) on one of the following topics: 1. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. How does this relate to the person you are? 2. Tell us about an obstacle that you have faced in your life. How did you deal with this obstacle and what was the outcome? How has this obstacle shaped your life and /or your dreams and aspirations? 3. Describe a fictional character, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain that influence. Why has that influence been important to your personal development? You may include any other information you feel is relevant in explaining why you are a good candidate for the MAAA Scholarship. Continuing MAAA scholars may include in the essay their participation in any MAAA activities. Provide a brief explanation as to how this participation has been significant in your development as a student. Section G: Student Resume A student resume is a required part of the MAAA Scholarship application. Please attach your resume to the application itself. If you have any questions regarding the structure of the resume, please use the sample resume attached in the following page as a guide. Applications not containing the student resume will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for an award. Section H: Letters of Recommendation Two original letters of recommendation are required from incoming students and new applicants. Continuing MAAA scholars are only required to provide one letter of recommendation. The letters of recommendation can be from professors, teachers, teacher s assistants, work supervisors, community service supervisors, principals, school administrators, school counselors, advisors, etc. Please ensure that letters are on official stationery and are addressed to the USC Mexican American Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. The letter(s) must provide insightful information about yourself so that the Scholarship Committee may properly evaluate your application. Section I: Transcripts Unofficial transcripts are required for continuing USC graduate and undergraduate students, and for incoming transfer and graduate students. Transcripts should include Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 grades. Please note that for continuing USC students, Oasis and Stars reports will not be accepted. Incoming freshman do not need to submit transcripts. 5
Section J: Signature I certify that the information in this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I am aware that any false or misleading statement will result in the disqualification of my application for the Mexican American Alumni Association Award, and in USC disciplinary action. I hereby give MAAA and the MAAA Scholarship Committee permission to share the information presented in my application for research purposes and for evaluating my application. The MAAA Scholarship Committee decisions are FINAL and IRREVOCABLE. Signature Date *The results will be pending until your Financial Aid Package is reviewed for the upcoming academic year. Section Academic I: Year: Applicant Checklist Unites To be used by Applicant. A complete application must contain the following: Please initial each item checked off: Initial: Signed and completed application Essay (2 pages double spaced) Student resume Letter of recommendation #1 Letter of recommendation #2 (for incoming students & new applicants) Unofficial Transcript Postmark on or before May 30, 2008 For more information regarding the Mexican American Alumni Association visit our website: www.usc.edu/maaa --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Office Use Only Academic Year: GPA: Units Completed: Units Incomplete: Units Failed: Amount Awarded: $ USC MAAA 6
Sample Resume Tommy Trojan 123 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, California 90089 (213) 123-4567 trojan@usc.edu EDUCATION University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Arts in Communication May 2008 Mater Dei High School Santa Ana, CA June 2004 Presidential Scholar Ford Foundation Scholar HONORS WORK EXPERIENCE University of Southern California, Leavey Library Los Angeles, CA Customer Service Representative/Reserves Assistant Fall 2004 Facilitated faculty, staff and student research projects with a variety of Multimedia resources. Developed user friendly web content for reference librarian. Old Navy Costa Mesa, CA Summer Cashier 2003/2004 Provided customer service in high volume retail outlet Reported end of day sales and reconciled receipts ATHLETICS Mater Dei Men s Varsity Soccer 2000-2004 Captain (2003-2004) ACTIVITIES Yearbook Photo Editor 2003-2004 Sophomore Class Treasurer 2003-2004 7