College Scholarship Program Details
Programs
and Application
Change a Life Foundation operates a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange Counties and for Emancipated Youth throughout California.
The Change a Life Scholarship Program wishes to bridge the financial gap that college-bound students face. The donor wishes to do this by providing scholarships to students with great potential, high financial need, strong academic demonstration and community/civic involvement. Scholarships are meant to assist economically disadvantaged students who excel academically to attend the University/College of their choice, with a scholarship of up to $5,000 to defray unmet needs such as: tuition, room and board, lab fees, books, and health care insurance.
Our 2010 scholarship application deadline has passed. We are no longer accepting scholarship application for the 2010-11 school year.
Scholarship Criteria (Emancipated Youth criteria listed below - please scroll down)
| 1. | 12th
grade student enrolling in a four-year College or University |
| 2. | Weighted Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above from ninth grade to first semester of 12th grade |
| 3. | Minimum SAT score of 1,500 |
| 4. | Enrolled in and/or passed Advanced Placement courses (AP
courses) |
| 5. | Economically
disadvantaged: HUD standard of poverty to serve as a guide example: family of 4 in Orange County - HUD limit is $74,400 |
| 6. | U.S.
Citizen or Legal Resident |
| 7. | Evidence
of extracurricular activities (school/community involvement/employment) |
| 8. | A minimum of 40 hours of Community Service from ninth grade to first semester of 12th grade |
| 9. | Above
average attendance |
| 10. | Must graduate from an approved public high school in the following counties: Los Angeles County, San Diego County, or Orange County. Approved high schools are those within the Department of Education for each of these three Counties (LA County Dept. of Education, Orange County Department of Education, San Diego County Office of Education). |
Scholarship Criteria Specific to Emancipated Youth
| 1. | 12th grade student enrolling in a four-year College or University OR currently attending a Community College and ready to transfer to a four-year College or University |
| 2. | Weighted Grade Point Average of 2.75 or above from ninth grade to first semester of 12th grade OR a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for Community College courses |
| 3. | Minimum SAT score of 1,350 (not applicable for transfer students) or ACT score of 19 |
| 4. | Economically disadvantaged: HUD standard of poverty to serve as a guide (Income information of parents or foster parents of emancipated youth is not required) |
| 5. | U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident |
| 6. | Evidence of extracurricular activities (school/community involvement/employment) |
| 7. | Community Service |
| 8. | Above average attendance |
Applicants should work directly with their college and/or guidance counselors to apply.
Reapplication Guidelines
Students that receive a Change a Life Foundation scholarship during their freshman year of college are eligible to be invited by the Foundation to reapply in their second year if they meet the criteria in their second year of college. In 2009, Change a Life Foundation helped 68 scholars with $326,806 in scholarship funds toward their freshman year and $194,900 for 39 returning college students (re-applicants).
Scholars who receive an invitation from the Foundation to re-apply may download and complete the reapplication (provided they meet all of the scholarship program criteria) and send all required forms/information to the Foundation by the re-application deadline date.
| Dates to Remember | |
| March 18, 2010 | Scholarship Applications must be received at Change a Life Foundation |
| May 2010 | Scholarship Reception Invitations mailed out |
| May 2010 | Potential RE-applicant Invitations mailed out |
| June 2010 | Scholarship Reception for first year Change a Life Scholars |
| July 9, 2010 | Scholarship contracts must be received at the Change a Life Foundation |
| July 16, 2010 | Scholarship RE-applications must be received at the Change a Life Foundation |
 |
2010 Scholarship Guidelines |
|
2010 Scholarship Application |
|
2010 Scholarship Contract |
|
2010 Scholarship REapplication |
|
2009 HUD Guidelines.doc |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Change a Life Foundation Scholarship?
First you must meet the Change a Life Scholarship program criteria. If you meet the criteria you must complete a scholarship application online and mail, email or fax all requested attachments to the Foundation by the application deadline date.
What is the Scholarship Application Deadline Date?
The final date to receive new scholarship applications is March 18, 2010. The 2010 Scholarship deadline has passed. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010/11 school year.
If I cannot complete the application online, can I have my printed application post marked by the due date?
Your scholarship application must be submitted online and supplemental information must be received at the Change a Life Foundation address by the due date. Late applications will not be accepted.
What do I do if I have difficulty with the online application? What if the information that I enter does not save?
If you have difficulty with our online application - email Mikelle Meyer at mmeyer@changealife.org. Explain the difficulty you are having with the application and, if possible, attach the information that didn't save to the application to the email.
Do I have to meet all of the Scholarship Criteria?
Yes, all of the scholarship criteria must be met. If you do not meet or
are just shy of one of the guidelines your application will not be considered.
Can I use my funds for summer school session?
No, scholarship funds cannot be used for summer school session unless
you have received special pre-approval from the Foundation.
Can I use my scholarship funds for study abroad?
At this time no scholarship funds can be used for study abroad. The Board
of the Change a Life Foundation considers this a special privilege and
not a necessity. Therefore it falls outside of the guidelines of funding.
What is considered unmet need?
Any tuition, room and board, lab fees, books, and health care insurance
that is not covered by scholarships, grants, or financial aid from your
institution (not including loans). Parent and/or student contribution,
as determined by FAFSA, is not considered unmet need.
What is the Scholarship Contract?
If you are approved as a Change a Life Foundation Scholar you must fill
out the Scholarship contract form and submit a copy of your financial
aid award package, thank you letter, and the signed original contract
in order to receive your scholarship funds.
What is the Scholarship Contract Deadline Date?
All scholarship contracts and materials must be received by July 9, 2010
in the Foundation offices.
What needs to be included in my financial award package information
that I send to Change a Life Foundation?
First, be sure to include what the cost is to attend your University or
College. Second, include the line item detail of the grants, loans, scholarships,
and loans that you have been approved for. You should be able to access
this information on your student account from your University or College
website.