**Please note the guidelines for scholarships have changed** 

Bethlehem Center of Charlotte Education Scholarship Fund

Application Instructions

PURPOSE:

The Bethlehem Center of Charlotte Scholarship Fund was established in 1990 to provide financial assistance to individuals enrolled for undergraduate study in community colleges, colleges and universities.  Bethlehem Center Scholarship principally targets two and four year academic programs; however, certificate/licensing programs including but not limited to fields such as paralegal training, IT, ultrasound techs, medical records personnel and nursing are also eligible.  Preference will be given to undergraduate work and certificate/licensing programs; however, funding of graduate programs is left to the discretion of the committee, pending funds available.

Financial assistance is based on need, academic performance, leadership potential and participation in Bethlehem Center programs or level of volunteerism.  Scholarships will be awarded and/ or renewed annually provided funds are available to meet the commitment.  In addition, the scholarship may be renewed provided the award recipient meets the conditions outlined below in Scholarship Renewal.

ELIGIBILITY:

·         Applicants must have permanent residence status in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

·         Applicants must be completing or have completed high school successfully with a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

·         Applicants must have been accepted at a college, university, or other eligible program for the upcoming academic year for which the scholarship award is being awarded.

·         Applicants must have demonstrated need for financial assistance with tuition, room and board or books.

·         Applicants must have participated in Bethlehem Center programs or already volunteer in Bethlehem Center.

·         Applicants must complete and submit a Scholarship Application by April 15.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

·         Award notification will be given by June 1.

·         Award amounts will be divided evenly between both semesters and disbursed on a semester basis.

SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL:

·         Scholarships may be renewed annually, and up to three times for a total of 4 years of study, if recipients maintain a 2.5 average GPA and complete required volunteer hours. More than 3 renewals may be considered on a case by case basis. This presupposes that funds are available for disbursement.

·         The Scholarship recipient must have demonstrated need for continued financial assistance.

·         The Scholarship recipient must retain permanent residence status in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

·         Renewal applications are due by April 15.

·         Students must provide a transcript for consideration. Students may provide a transcript printed from an online college record through the prior semester or an official transcript.  Awards will be made provisionally pending receipt of final grades from spring semester of that year.

·         Twenty four (24) volunteer hours per academic year must be worked in Bethlehem Center programs.  Volunteer hours will be counted beginning May 1^st  in the spring before the award receipt and ending April 30^th following the award receipt.

·          All scholarship recipients will coordinate a plan for how they will meet their service requirement with the Bethlehem Center Volunteer Coordinator after accepting the scholarship and before beginning their college studies.

Bethlehem Center Scholars may be placed on a one-time, one semester probation if, at the end of any

semester, the Scholar fails to meet the Scholarship Renewal requirements outlined above.

Scholarships will be revoked if Renewal requirements are not met by the end of the probation period.

TIMELINE:

·         Both new and renewal applications are due April 15. Applications will be reviewed and interviews completed by mid-May.

·         Candidates that are eligible for interviews will be notified by the Scholarship Committee by mid- April.

APPLICATIONS:   

Application from new applicants will include:

·         Information form

·         Official high school transcript

·         2 academic letters of reference from a guidance counselor or teacher

·         A letter of reference from an employer or other community member

·         Completed application sheets

·         Proof of acceptance at an academic, vocational or technical school for post-secondary studies

·         Demonstrated financial need

Renewal applications will include:

·         Information form

·         transcript (Applicants may provide a transcript printed from an online college record)

·         a personal statement describing their experience during their academic year and what they think they have learned

·         demonstration of continued financial need

OBLIGATION OF BETHLEHEM CENTER ADMINISTRATION:

·         Administration will provide the Scholarship Committee the exact amount of fund available for scholarship award disbursement by March 1.

·         Amount available for scholarship awards is determined in accordance with the Education Investment Fund Spending and Investment Policy.

AUTHORITY OF SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

·         A variety of factors go into determining scholarship amounts awarded, including but not limited to funds available and number of qualified applicants.  Final decisions concerning funding are at the full discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

2008 Scholarship Recipient Luncheon hosted by Queens University

Front Row Left to Right:  Ashley Levy (Student), Mylanda Middleton (Student), Audrey Truman (Board Member, Stanford), Deb Campbell (Volunteer, Queens University). Second Row Left to Right: Ron Bailey (Vice Principal West Charlotte High School), Carl Myers, (Board Member, Wall Street Capital), Jim Langstaff (President of the Board of Directors), Michelle Wingo (Student), Kionte’ Vinson (Student), Lazetta Cawford (Student), Tierra Cunningham (Student), Aiesha Johnson (student), DeVaris Locket (Scholarship recipient of  the year, graduated scholarship recipient), Anthony Foxx, City Council Member At-Large.