Next Chapter Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Astute Science
$2,000
4 winners, $500 each
Awarded
Application Deadline
Nov 6, 2024
Winners Announced
Nov 30, 2024
Education Level
Undergraduate
1
Contribution
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
Community college or trade school student
Financial Status:
Low-income
GPA:
2.0 GPA or higher

Community colleges and trade schools provide affordable tuition, smaller class sizes, and diverse programs, making them an excellent alternative to enrolling in more expensive four-year universities.

Despite lower costs, though, tuition can still be a significant barrier for low-income students. Even the cost of textbooks can be a considerable obstacle to overcome.

This scholarship was created to support those facing financial constraints, so they have the resources needed for success.

Any low-income community college or trade school student who has at least a 2.0 GPA may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

To apply, tell us how your education will allow you to help your community or contribute to your field of study and how this scholarship would help you make a difference.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Need
Published July 10, 2024
Essay Topic

Describe how your education will enable you to contribute to your community or chosen field in the future. How will this scholarship assist you in making a positive impact?

400–600 words

Winning Applications

Hugo Portillo-Garcia
Northern Virginia Community CollegeAlexandria, VA
"Justice must be for both parties, not just one." My dedication to comprehending the intricacies of justice and its effects on our communities is shown in this insightful statement. I am committed to helping those impacted by crime, making sure that their voices are heard, and seeing that justice is served fairly and efficiently as I obtain a degree in criminology and criminal justice. I saw firsthand the effects of crime while growing up in a varied society, including not only the immediate impact it has on victims but also the broader effects that it has on families and communities. My desire to comprehend the criminal justice system and the causes of crime was stoked by these encounters. Since I've always held the view that information is power, I want to use my education to get the skills I need to recognize the underlying causes of crime, spot trends, and promote preventative policies that create safer communities. I am very interested in how sociology, psychology, and criminal justice interact in my research. I want to identify the systemic problems that frequently result in crime by looking at societal structures and how they affect criminal conduct. I will be able to address the root causes of crime as well as its symptoms thanks to this comprehensive understanding. To develop initiatives that not only address crime but also encourage education, mentoring, and support for those who are at risk, I hope to collaborate closely with law enforcement, community organizations, and legislators. Taking part in extracurricular activities has made me even more determined to make a difference. Volunteering with neighborhood youth programs has made me more aware of the difficulties that many young people in our community experience. I've witnessed how guidance and encouragement can change a young person's life path, leading them to pursue opportunities rather than engage in criminal activity. My conviction that prevention and intervention are crucial has been strengthened by these experiences, and I'm resolved to apply these ideas to my next position in the field. One cannot undervalue the financial strain of going to college. Tuition and related costs are frequently too much for my family to handle. For me, this scholarship is a vital chance to relieve some of that stress. Without having to worry about money instability all the time, I will be able to concentrate on my education and get more involved in my chosen field. With this help, I can focus on learning the skills and information I need to make a significant contribution to my community. Earning my degree in criminal justice and criminology is not just a personal objective; it is a first step toward having a bigger influence. I'm determined to use everything I've learned to make society more equitable. I want to speak up for people who have been silenced and support laws that advance equity and fairness by comprehending the complexities of crime and justice. My degree will enable me to be a change agent, whether it be through community outreach programs or collaboration with victims' advocacy groups.
Laken Cochran
Perry Technical InstituteKalama, WA
Myla Sherron-Howard
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSn Bernrdno, CA
Elicia Davis
Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CA
One thing I haven't seen much of is people of color in healthcare positions. Particularly black women. And if I do, chances are they are a nurse instead of a physician, and that doesn't strike me very well. I plan to reach for the stars in my career, and I will be one of the people to break through that wall that makes it harder for black women to achieve such high positions. I will be a form of representation for those younger than me, who don't see faces that look like and mirror their own in positions that require so much effort and care. Making a difference has always held such weight to me because I grew up raised by someone who made such a difference for young black people. She was a radiologist and a single mother, challenging all the odds and being a true inspiration for me. She pushed me to put my all into school just by achieving so much, and she does remain a large inspiration for me today because of what she was able to achieve and how she showed me that anything is possible. From day one I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, even as I watched her through medical school, travel for weekends, and work late nights but still come home and take care of three kids. I know I can do that, I know I can have that impact, and be more impactful because I learned from the mistakes she made along the way. I'll be prepared, independent, secure, and organized with all I do. I'll go against all the harmful stereotypes that are applied to black women. I'll put my all into what I do and show any little girl that comes to see me that, yes, they can. They aren't limited to assisting positions and can do any and everything they wish to do and put their minds to. I'll save lives in so many different ways, physically and mentally. Leaving a mark on every little girl who sees the work I do and my dedication and helping them to realize, 'Hey, I can do that too!' Representation is a long fight and battle, but standing by and waiting idly for the changes we wish for so badly won't solve anything. We must show those who come after us that they have the power to contribute to such a cause, as we did and those who come after them do. Being able to get this scholarship will only propell me towards that goal and towards the greatness I envision for myself in the future. It's a long path for me but I'll get there and every single penny I recieve from any source I feel an eternal gratefulness for.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Nov 6, 2024. Winners will be announced on Nov 30, 2024.