NOTE: Scholarships will only be awarded annually based on available funding.

Background

The Chester Youth Collaborative is a neighborhood-based youth development network whose purpose is to enhance the quality of opportunities for young people, between the ages of 12-22 in the city of Chester. Our mission is to promote a strong Chester community in which all youth reach their full potential and transition successfully into adulthood.

Chester Youth Collaborative Scholarships:

• Are merit-based
• Are awarded to students with a demonstrated financial need
• May be renewable for up to 3 years but renewal is not guaranteed
• Are restricted to payment of tuition, books and other school specific fees
• Average award will be approximately $1000 per student per year
• Are NOT awarded directly to students. Monies are awarded to the student via the institution to which the student has been accepted.

Students interested in applying for a CYC Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Exemplifies the mission of the Chester Youth Collaborative
• Demonstrated commitment to community service (preferably in Chester)
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence with a GPA of not less than 2.5
• Current resident of Chester and/or a senior in the Chester Upland School District
• Current resident of Chester and a full-time student pursuing a degree at an * accredited post secondary school.
• Demonstrated financial need, satisfactory progress in major, good academic standing (not less than 2.5 GPA), and community service each year for the duration of the scholarship.

 * An accredited post secondary institution is a 2 or 4 year college/university, technical or trade school.

How to Apply:

1. All applicants must be enrolled or accepted (or plan to enroll) in an accredited post secondary institution.
2. Completed applications (click on link at right and print out application) must be submitted along with the required attachments to Janet S. Riley Ford, CYC Program Coordinator, by Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 5:00 pm.
3. Award recipients must be re-certified to renew the award each year by the CYC Coordinator (based on criteria).

 Application Packet:

• General Information Form
• Resume and/or Personal Information Form
• Two Letters of Recommendation (from but not limited to, former teachers, college administrators, community leaders or other similar persons concerning the academic ability, character, reputation or professional aptitude of the applicant.)
• Essay
• Certification of Academic Standing
• High School Transcript (for incoming Freshman)
• *Acceptance Letter (College/Post Secondary School)
• Undergraduate Transcript (for current college/post secondary students)

* Note: Acceptance letters for incoming freshman may be submitted after the November 1, 2006 deadline, but must be received prior to awarding the CYC Scholarship.