Achieving My Dreams Foundation Scholarship
Click to download Scholarship Application (PDF)
Scholarship Requirements – Click to download Scholarship Requirements (PDF)
Purpose of Scholarships
The Achieving My Dreams Foundation, founded in 2011, provides a multi–faceted experience designed to not only address the financial needs of African American students who aspire to attend college but also to guide them through the process of higher education, molding them into dynamic leaders with a commitment to public service. The awards are given to outstanding high school graduates who plan to earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The program plans to increase the number of students attending the colleges and universities of their choice where they are poised to develop their academic skills and leadership talents.
Scholarship Award
Achieving My Dreams Foundation provides scholarships of up to $5,000 annually to African American high school students showing leadership potential and demonstrating financial need to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice. Achieving My Dreams Foundation scholarships will compliment the financial aid students receive from their college or university for tuition and other education expenses (books, housing, etc.). The Foundation’s goal is to assist up to five (5) graduating seniors each year.
Application Guidelines
Please read all instructions carefully before submitting the scholarship application.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an Achieving My Dreams Foundation Scholarship, an applicant must:
• Be a graduating high school senior;
• Plan to attend an accredited and approved four–year institution within the United States;
• Area of Study – Science, Technology, Engineeing, Math and Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting/Finance.
• Show leadership potential;
• Demonstrate a dedication to community service;
• Present evidence of financial need;
• Be a United States citizen;
• Have a minimum 2.8 GPA;
• Not possess a degree from a 2 or 4–year College when applying for the scholarship.
Application Components
The required components of the Achieving My Dreams Foundation Scholarship application are:
• A completed and submitted application;
• Two (2) letters of recommendation; All letters should be written by someone who can attest to your character, interpersonal relationships, and academic achievements. Please note – letters written by family members or peers will not be accepted.
• A typed (12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins) statement on your life, career goals, honors and awards, and participation in extra-curricular activities. The statement should include how this scholarship will help you achieve your dreams. (Handwritten and/or incomplete applications will not be processed; please do not exceed one page).
• Copies of official high school transcripts must be submitted with the application.
Mailing Materials
Mail all official documents to the Foundation at:
Achieving My Dreams Foundation
Attn: Scholarship Application Process
P.O. Box 5202
Oxnard, CA 93031
Application Timeline
January 1st – Scholarship Application available at each local high school Career Center.
Applications will also be made available on our website.
April 30th – Deadline for submission of application and all components; postmark date accepted.
May 16th – All applicants ‘winners will be notified of their status by this date.
Evaluation Criteria
The scholarship program is open to students attending or planning to attend an accredited and approved four–year institution within the United States.
Applicants for scholarships are evaluated according to academic ability, community service, financial need and appreciation of labor.
Scholarship applications are judged by Achieving My Dreams Scholarship committee. The Scholarship Committee consists of three (3) or more persons. Applications are first reviewed by a panel of independent career professionals. Semi-finalists are chosen based on a point scale, and their applications are then provided to judges for further review and selection of finalists and awards.
Applicants wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their applications may send a self-addressed, stamped postcard along with their application.
Scholarship award amounts
The amount of the award ranges from $250 – $5,000. This is a one-time cash award to be paid out to the student during his/her first enrolled semester/quarter, etc. All awards will be forwarded directly to the each student’s financial aid office for disbursement, after proof of enrollment has been verified by Achieving My Dreams Foundation. Each student will have up to four (4) calendar months, after enrolling in an accredited institution to provide Achieving My Dreams Foundation with proof of enrollment. Should an applicant fail to provide the adequate proof of enrollment, then the scholarship may be forfeited.
Notification to winners
Due to the large number of applicants that we receive, we can ONLY notify winners by mail about their selection as Achieving My Dreams Foundation Scholarship recipients on or about May 1st each year. Winners should receive their award letters within the first two weeks of May. Achieving My Dreams Foundation will not be able to advise applicants on the status of their applications. Winners will also be displayed on our website by July 1st.
Applicants wishing to receive notification of the winners may send a self-addressed, stamped postcard along with their application.
