College Scholarships for Homeless Students

NAEHCY College Scholarship for Homeless Students

NAEHCY Scholarship

According to their website, “The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is a national membership association dedicated to educational excellence for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Through state and federal policy and technical assistance to our members, students, and the public, we change systems so all children and youth can learn, succeed academically, and achieve their dreams.”

URL:  http://www.naehcy.org/naehcy-scholarship-fund/about-the-fund or http://www.naehcy.org/ (select “NAEHCY Scholarship Fund” tab and choose from the drop-down menu)

Contact Info: Patricia A. Popp, Ph.D., NAEHCY Scholarship Fund, 8250 Skirmish Lane, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111; Phone: 757.221.7776; eMail: pxpopp@wm.edu. To receive an application via email or fax, please contact Patricia Popp, NAEHCY LeTendre Chair.

Deadline:  June 19

Award Amount:  $2,000 (2 awarded)

Eligibility:  NAEHCY scholarship funds are available to students who are homeless or who have been homeless during their K-12 school attendance, and who have demonstrated average or higher than average achievement.

According to federal law, a person who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence” is considered homeless. This includes people living in shelters, cars, motels, campgrounds, or places not meant for human habitation, as well as children and youth who are living with friends or relatives temporarily because they lack permanent housing.

Students who have not reached their 21st birthday by September 1, 2015, and who have completed no more than two years of college are eligible to apply. Applicants may be high school seniors, students enrolled in a GED or other alternative education program, or recent graduates/GED recipients. If you are in high school and not yet enrolled in a post secondary program, the committee will hold your scholarship for you pending your enrollment.

Requirements:  Application Form, Essay, an Official or Unofficial school Transcript (include class ranking if available), and a minimum of one Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or other adult who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and experiences.

About the Essay:  An essay about the impact of homelessness on the their lives and their desire to attend college (500-1,000 words).

Students’ applications will be evaluated on:

  • Demonstrated commitment to education during the experience of homelessness;
  • Academic achievement and accomplishments;
  • Potential impact of the scholarship for the student’s educational career;
  • Discussion of how the scholarship money would be used;
  • Statement of goals and career interests; and
  • Grammar and use of language.

Applicants should write essays with these criteria in mind. The essay is the most important component of the application; letters of recommendation are also very important. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Link:  http://www.naehcy.org/naehcy-scholarship-fund/scholarship-application

More Information: http://www.naehcy.org/naehcy-scholarship-fund/about-the-fund

How You Can Help #BeTheChange

Children and youth in homeless situations face numerous barriers to educational success. Deep poverty, high mobility, and school requirements often make attending and succeeding in school a challenge. Despite these challenges, many students who experience homelessness not only graduate from high school, but wish to pursue a college education.

The NAEHCY Scholarship Program is dependent on donations for its existence. For more information about the Fund, please contact Patricia Popp at pxpopp@wm.edu or call 757.221.7776. You can donate online http://www.naehcy.org/donate or through the Amazon Smile program.

Amazon Smile

Give to NAEHCY by visiting https://smile.amazon.com/ch/93-1154323 when you’re ready to shop on amazon.com. You’ll get the same products, prices, and service; and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to NAEHCY.