Black United Fund Scholarships

 

According to a special report by from the Lumina Foundation for Education, "A Stronger Nation through Higher Education" published in September 2010, only 26.2% of African Americans attain college degrees, as compared to 42.2% of white Americans. Even scarier, is that the gap in earnings between college graduates and those without degrees is widening, making it nearly impossible to break out of the working poor without higher education.

In 1994, we established ACCESS (Achieving College Competency and Educational Success for Students) to ensure educational success and access to higher education. We award scholarships to African/African American students, who are selected based on their academic standing, financial need, school participation, and community service activities, oral and written performance.

Eligibility
• Applicant must be African/African American decent
• Currently enrolled as a high school senior and will be a freshman in college for the 2013-2014 academic school year
• Applicant must reside in the state of Oregon or SW Washington

Steps to apply (Accepting application from October 1, 2012 - January 17, 2013):

1. Read the scholarship descriptions below to determine which scholarships you are interested in applying for. Students can apply to more than one scholarship; however, only one scholarship will be awarded. Please contact Marshawna Williams at (503) 282-7972 or mwilliams@bufor.org with questions.

2. To start and complete online application click here

• Submit online application including required attachments. Before submitting application please make sure the following documents are unloaded into your online application by January 17, 2013 by 11:59pm. Please mail official transcript only, to the Black United Fund of Oregon, ACCESS Scholarship, 2828 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211.

• Resume, showing 1) all schools attended, 2) extracurricular school activities, 3) paid work experience, 4) volunteer activities outside of school, and 5) awards or honors attained

• 2 Letters of Recommendation; one from high school faculty member and one personal reference

• Official Transcript (mailed)
Note: Once online application is complete and transcripts are received your application will then be reviewed by our committee. We will NOT accept late transcripts even if your application is complete online. The Black United Fund will send you a notification when we have received your transcript and your online application is complete.

Process:
1) Complete and submit online scholarship application by 11:59 PM January 17, 2013

2) Committee reviews and select finalists to interview February 7, 2013

3) Final candidate interview on Saturday, February 23, 2013

4) All recipients sign and return Scholarship Acceptance notice

5) All recipients attend the Scholarship Awards Luncheon April 25, 2013 10 AM- 2 PM

6) All recipients claim funds by completing Scholarship Awards Agreement including all requested documents by September 1, 2013


The following Scholarships are available:

Ron Herndon Scholarship (Three $1,500 Awards)
• GPA of 2.75 or higher
• One time only scholarship
• Record of community service
• Demonstration of financial nee
• Attend any accredited college or university as a freshman for the 2013-2014 school year

City of Portland Partnership Scholarships (Five $2,000 Awards)
• GPA of 2.5 or higher
• One time only scholarship
• Must be graduating high school senior or earned a GED by June 2013
• Currently attending or attended one of the following public school districts or alternative schools: Portland Public, Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose and Reynolds.
• Scholarship only is available if applicant will be attending one of the following two year or four year colleges for the 2013-2014 school year: Portland Community College, Clackamas Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College.
• Demonstrate financial need

Concordia University/Johnson Scholars Scholarship (One $8,000 award) http://www.cu-portland.edu
• GPA of 2.75 or higher; Score 1000+ on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math) or 22+ on the ACT
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Demonstration of financial need and record of Community Service
• Special consideration to students from North/Northeast Portland
• Students will be required to participate in CU Commitment program and serve as scholarship
Representative
• Attend Concordia University-Portland in 2013-2014 (Deadline for Admission is January 13)

Lewis & Clark College* (Five awards from $10,000 to full unmet need) http://www.lclark.edu
• GPA of 3.50 or higher; Successful application to Lewis & Clark College via the Portfolio Path option or score at least 1200 on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math) or 24 on the ACT.
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of 2.8 or higher.
• Demonstrate financial need
• attend Lewis & Clark College in 2013-2014 (Deadline for Early Action Admissions is November 1; deadline for Regular Decision Admissions is February 1)

Pacific University Scholarship (One award from $10,500 to full unmet need) http://www.pacificu.edu
• GPA of 3.0 or higher; Score at least 1000 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of a 2.0 or higher
• Demonstrate financial need via submission of the FAFSA by March 1st
• Demonstrate the potential to foster the cultural, economic and geographic diversity
• Attend Pacific University in 2013-2014 (Regular Decision deadline is March 1)

Reed College Scholarship (Five awards from $10,000 to full unmet need) http://www.reed.edu
• GPA of 3.00 or higher
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Attend Reed College in 2012-2013 (Deadline for Early Decision I is November 15; deadline for Early Decision II is December 20; deadline for Regular Decision is January 15.)

University of Portland Scholarship (Three $12,000 awards) http://www.up.edu
• GPA of 3.00 or higher; Score at least 1000+ on SAT or 21 on the ACT
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Demonstration of financial need
• Special consideration to students from North/Northeast Portland
• Attend University of Portland in 2013-2014 (Deadline for Priority Admission is January 15)

Willamette University Scholarship (Two $15,000 awards) http://www.willamette.edu
• GPA of 3.25 or higher; Score 1100+ on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math) or 24+ on the ACT
• Renewable for up to four years while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Attend Willamette University in 2013-2014 (Deadline for Early Action II Admissions is December 1; Deadline for Regular Admissions is February 1)