NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN

SPIRIT AWARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

2023 APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES

Dear Applicant:

We are proud to support young adults in their efforts to achieving their educational goals through the New Yorkers For Children Spirit Award. The Spirit Award consists of a $10,000 scholarship and two $2,500 scholarships awarded each year to three individuals in foster care or former foster youths who are attending a 4-year college with plans to complete a bachelor’s degree. The recipient is a young person who has achieved academic success, demonstrated a willingness to think beyond themselves, shown resilience in the face of challenges, and gained a new sense of self-awareness as a result of the obstacles they have had to overcome. Students are eligible to apply if they are in the third or fourth year in college in fall 2023.

Please review the enclosed guidelines and carefully complete the application. It is important that we have all the requested information, so please take extra care to read the guidelines before finalizing and sending in your application. If you have any difficulties obtaining all the information required by the deadline of October 13th, 2023, please let us know. You may have the information sent directly to New Yorkers For Children in order to avoid further delay. An incomplete application will not be considered. The Spirit Award is only available to youth in, or transitioned out of foster care that are enrolled in college and in their junior or senior year. All applications must be received by October 13th, 2023.

Our goal is to serve as many foster youth from New York City as possible. If you have any questions or need help with the completion of your application, please contact us at program@newyorkersforchildren.org or 646.257.2930.

Sincerely,

Alan Yu

Executive Director

NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN

New Yorkers for Children (NYFC) improves the well-being of youth and families in the child welfare system with an emphasis on older youth aging out of the system. NYFC provides direct educational, financial and emotional support and develops programs to fill gaps in the system in partnership with foster care agencies, community organizations, and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services.

Please visit our website www.newyorkersforchildren.org for more information about our programs.

This Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that is granted to youth who have achieved academic success, demonstrated a willingness to think beyond themselves, shown resilience in the face of challenges, and gained a new sense of self-awareness because of the obstacles they have had to overcome. The Spirit Award consists of up to $15,000 in scholarships awarded each year up to three individuals.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Must be in a 4-year college program with plans to complete a bachelor’s degree
Must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Must be in their Junior or Senior year in an accredited 4-year college or university as a full-time student
Must be a current or former New York City Foster Care youth
Must be 26 years old or younger

Contact Information

First Name

Middle Initial

Last Name

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Phone

Email

Address Line 1

Address Line 2 or Apt #

City

State

Postal Code

Are you Hispanic/Latinx?

YesNoDo not wish to answer

If yes, please select one:

If other, Please specify

Contact Information Continued

Please Indicate Race:

If Other, please specify:

Please select what gender you identify with.

If Self-Describing, Please Identify Below:

If Other, Please Specify

LGBTQIA+

MPORTANT NOTE: Without your accurate contact information, New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) will not be able to notify you if you are selected as a recipient. Please keep a copy of this application and send updated contact information to NYFC if your address or other information changes during the period.

Academic Information

Receive High School Diploma or GED?

Name of College/University

If Other, Please Specify

Status

Year

Number of Credits Pursuing This Semester

GPA

Anticipated graduation date from current institution:

Receiving Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funding?

YesNo

If yes, Amount

If receiving ETV, what are you using the funds for?

REMINDER: All applications must be submitted with accurate information as verification of your foster care status will be take place. Please complete all sections of the application to be considered.

Foster Care Agency/Worker Information

Are you currently in Foster Care?

Date of Discharge from Foster Care (If Applicable)

Name of Foster Care Agency

First Name of Agency Worker

Last Name of Agency Worker

Agency Worker Phone Number

Agency Worker Email Address

Income and Expenses

Are you currently working?

If yes, how many hours are you working a week?

Name of Employer

Employer Phone Number

Monthly Expenses

How much do you pay in rent/mortgage?

$

Con Edison?

$

Cable/Internet

$

Cell Phone

$

Public Transportation

$

Food

$

Other Expense Description 1

Other Expense Amount 1

$

Other Expense Description 2

Other Expense Amount 2

$

Total Expenses

$

Monthly Income

ETV

$

ACS/ Agency Stipend (Please Specify)

$

Food Stamps

$

Public Assistance

$

Job (Pay Check)

$

Other Income Description 1

Other Income Amount 1

$

Other Income Description 2

Other Income Amount 2

$

Total Income

$

Award Package for Current Semester

Pell

$

TAP

$

Other Award Description 1

Other Award Amount 1

$

Other Award Description 2

Other Award Amount 2

$

Other Award Description 3

Other Award Amount 3

$

Total of Award Packages

$

Short Response Section

PERSONAL ESSAY QUESTIONS

Please write below or attach your personal essay, 500 words or more, that demonstrates your candidacy for the Spirit Award.

Your essay must address each of the questions below:
1.       Please describe why you are applying for the scholarship.
2.       What are your academic, professional and personal goals?
3.       Please describe your current financial situation and how receiving these funds will help you in school.
4. What achieved academic success, demonstrated willingness to think beyond yourself, resilience in the face of challenges, and new sense of self-awareness have you achieved throughout your life.

Required documents for submission:

1. Unofficial transcript

2. Fall 2021 school schedule

3. Personal essay

4. 2 personal references

Write Personal Essay questions below, or upload as attachment

Personal Essay

Unofficial Transcript

Fall 2021 school schedule

Email all references directly to Program@NewYorkersforChildren.org

By E-signing below, I affirm that all statements made on this application are true. I understand that a false statement or intentional omission of any material fact may cause me to be disqualified from eligibility of this scholarship.

Applicant Signature

Date (mm/dd/yyyy):