Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship

Funded by

Craig Coleman

Eligibility Requirements

Education Level:

High school senior or undergraduate student

Background:

FGLI (first-generation, low-income)

Race:

BIPOC

Education Level:

Background:

Race:

High school senior or undergraduate student

FGLI (first-generation, low-income)

BIPOC

Balancing the scale of opportunity by making higher education accessible for all can be a key part of lifting people out of poverty.

First-generation low-income students (FGLI) are often discouraged from continuing their education due to the many barriers they have to overcome to access college. Too often inadequate financial resources, limited family support, and underfunded schools leave FGLI students behind.

This scholarship seeks to support low-income students who need financial assistance in order to fund their college education.

Any BIPOC, first-generation, and low-income high school senior or undergraduate student may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us how life has prepared you for success, how you define success, and where you see yourself in twenty years.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile

Essay Scholarships Scholarships for High School Seniors First-Generation Scholarships Scholarships for Black Students Scholarships for Minorities Undergraduate Scholarships Need-Based Scholarships High School Scholarships College Students Scholarships

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Published March 8, 2022

Essay Topic

In what ways do you feel life has prepared you for success? What is your personal definition of success? Where do you see yourself 20 years from now?

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

July 2022

Winners

Aniyah Whitehead

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Brooklyn, NY

Winning Application

Aniyah Whitehead

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeBrooklyn, NY

"Life is a song; we each get to write our own lyrics." I stand behind this saying because growing up I had to learn the importance of doing what I can, to be something in life. Mentally and emotionally I used to feel unprepared when it came to my success. High school helped me prioritize my goals and focuses. To prepare for success, I had to separate my wants and needs to ensure that I focused my attention on the main target ahead;that of becoming a social worker and business owner. Coming from a low-income family I always had to work hard to get the things I wanted and needed. Life has prepared me to be successful by showing me how nothing in life comes easy. Everything has to be worked hard for. I've applied for job after job and didn't get accepted into any. But that did not discourage me. I am fully aware that I must put my best foot forward to be successful. Going into college I want to major in Social Work, with a minor in Business. So I know that I will have to work hard to reach my goals and graduate college. To be successful or to have success, I believe that one must be financially stable, mentally and physically healthy, continuously reaching goals, helping others, creating generational wealth and making something out of themselves. Success is not only about what you accomplish. Yet it's about the steps and obstacles you faced in order to do so… it's about the blood,sweat and tears one must be willing to commit to being successful. My definition is deeper than the surface it lies on. In 20 years I see myself being a social worker. I am most interested in Social Work because I've seen how bad the foster care system is and I know that there are social workers who genuinely do not care about the children, but about the money that they make. We live in a world where many kids are unfortunately stuck in these situations and have to be put in foster care for many reasons. Going through things like this causes trauma and affects them for many years. I want to be that social worker that ensures that the children know someone cares about them and that they understand their worth. I have heard many stories from people about the hardships they go through in their foster homes… where their social worker doesn't do anything to help. Let alone believe that they are telling the truth about the things that are happening to them. I want to help bring awareness to the corrupt foster care system. I have never been a part of it but as an outsider looking in, I wish to be someone that can bring about change. I want children to find coping mechanisms that help them enhance who they are; no matter the circumstances. In 20 years, I hope to be someone that gives children hope and shows them that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Good things do come from some “terrible” situations, but one must stay positive and have hope.