Foreword
The RAISE Scholarship 2015 is a $500 non-renewable scholarship for pan-Asian undocumented people. There will be five (5) scholarships (each for $500) awarded in Spring 2015 to five (5) different applicants in the areas of Arts & Culture, Higher Education, Leadership, Community Service and Professional Development. The RAISE Scholarship 2014 is made possible by artist and writer, Sahra Vang Nguyen, and presented in collaboration with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York City.
· RAISE, which stands for Revolutionizing Asian American Immigrant Stories on the East Coast, is the first pan-Asian undocumented youth-led group on the East Coast. RAISE aims to create safe spaces for pan-Asian undocumented people in the community while advocating for humane immigration policies. Through political activism, leadership development, community education and coalition building, RAISE strives to increase visibility of pan-Asian undocumented issues, humanize the conversation around immigration and realize justice for all immigrants in America.
www.raiseourstory.tumblr.com
· Founded in 1974, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all. AALDEF focuses on critical issues including immigrant rights, civic participation and voting rights, economic justice for workers, language access to services, educational equity, housing and environmental justice, and the elimination of anti-Asian violence, police misconduct, and human trafficking.
www.aaldef.org
· Sahra Vang Nguyen is a published writer and multidisciplinary artist based in New York. She has served as the Director of the Writing Success Program at the University of California, Los Angeles where she empowered students through the writing process. She is the creator of "Maker's Lane," an ongoing web series which celebrates trailblazers in the entrepreneurial spirit of the American Dream. Currently, Sahra continues her passion for bringing underrepresented stories to light as a contributor for NBC News and The Huffington Post.
www.sahravang.com
We recognize that there is an extreme need to support the undocumented community while the fight for humane immigration policies continues. When the government doesn’t support our needs, we must take it upon ourselves to organize the spaces and resources to empower, uplift and mobilize our communities. The RAISE Scholarship 2015 hopes to award pan-Asian undocumented people who demonstrate a financial need, in addition to a commitment to advancing themselves and their communities in either Arts & Culture, Higher Education, Leadership, Community Service or Professional Development.
Eligibility and Guidelines
1. Applicants must be pan-Asian* and undocumented** living in the U.S.
2. Applicants must demonstrate financial need
3. For the Higher Education & Leadership categories, applicant must be enrolled in college or entering college in Fall 2015
*Pan-Asian: immigrated from Asia and/or is ethnically of Asian descent
** Undocumented: an individual who currently does not have valid immigration status in the United States, for example, someone not in valid nonimmigrant visa status, not a permanent resident of the U.S., not a citizen of the U.S.
In order for your application to be considered complete, you must complete the following sections:
I. Personal Information
II. Financial Information
III. Short Essays
IV. Letter of Support
V. Social Media Engagement
VI. Certification Statement
Optional: CV or Resume for the scholarship committee to better understand your activities
Additional Information
· Please email completed applications to . Please attach your application as a PDF or DOC file.
· The deadline for this scholarship is Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 5:00pm EST. Applications can be turned in any time prior to the deadline, but late applications will not be accepted.
· In the subject line of your email, please include your full name as listed on application
· All scholarship applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance or rejection status by March 1, 2015.
· All information (including applicant’s name) submitted through this application will remain confidential and only be reviewed by the scholarship committee.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email
RAISE Scholarship 2015 Application Form
Please select the category you are applying for. Each applicant may only apply for 1 category.
__ Arts & Culture: demonstrate a commitment to forwarding arts and culture; engaged in creative projects/work and seeking to advance creative abilities and/or vision for community-based art
__ Higher Education*: demonstrate a commitment to pursuing higher education; engaged in advancing self and community through obtaining a college degree
__ Leadership*: demonstrate a commitment to leadership development; engaged in leadership roles on campus and/or in the community and working towards progressive social justice
__ Community Service: demonstrate a commitment to community service; actively involved in roles related to organizing, civic engagement, and uplifting the community for positive impact
__ Professional Development: demonstrate a commitment to professional development; engaged in advancing self through career building opportunities and/or training programs
*Must provide proof of college enrollment
I. Personal Information
Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Date of Birth:
Ethnic Background:
Year you immigrated to the U.S.:
Are you currently undocumented? Y/N
Year you became undocumented:
Do you currently live with your family or independently? _____
If you live with your family, how many people are in one home? _____
Are you a DACA recipient? (Your answer will not affect your eligibility for this scholarship) Yes/No
If applying for Higher Education or Leadership categories:
Name of school:
Year in school:
Major(s)/Minor(s):
Estimated date of graduation:
Please attach proof of enrollment in your email.
II. Financial Information
Please provide an estimate for January-June 2015:
Estimated expenses. Write N/A if not-applicable
Tuition & fees:
Housing:
Other living expenses (utilities, mobile phone, insurance, etc.):
Other (please specify):
Total estimated expenses:
Estimated income. Write N/A if not-applicable:
Scholarships/Grants:
Parent/Other contribution:
Employment:
Loans:
Other (please specify):
Total estimated income:
1. What is your estimated annual income? _____
2. What is your annual family income? _____
3. Are you a dependent? Yes/No
If no, do you have dependents? Yes/No; If yes, # of dependents? _____
Employment:
Do you currently work? Yes/No
How many hours/week do you currently work? _____
III. Short Essays
Please answer each question below within the requested word limit.
1. Referring to the category you are applying for (Arts & Culture, Higher Education, Leadership, Community Service or Professional Development), describe your experiences, levels of involvement and/or accomplishments in this area. (300-500 words)
2. In addition to Question #1, what are your goals in this area? (250 words)
3. How would you use this scholarship money to further your goals? (200 words)
4. What does it mean for you to be both pan-Asian and undocumented in the United States? (250 words)
5. Describe an obstacle you faced and how did you/would you overcome this obstacle? (300 words)
6. If you had unlimited resources to design a vision (service, project, curriculum, campaign, initiative, etc.) that would advance the future for the pan-Asian undocumented community, what would it be? (250 words)
IV. Letter of Support
Please include a Letter of Support (250 words) from a friend, relative, mentor, advisor, counselor, co-worker, teacher or anyone who can attest to your financial need, character, undocumented experience and your commitment to the selected application category.
· If you are sending us the Letter of Support with your application, please include it at the end of your DOC or PDF file, then send as one attachment in the email.
· If your writer is sending the Letter of Support separately, please ask the writer to email the letter to by January 15, 2015. Please ask the writer to include your name (as written on your application) in the email subject line.
VI. Social Media Engagement
We ask that every applicant follow RAISE on social media to stay updated on scholarship details and RAISE’s work relating to improving lives for pan-Asian undocumented people.
Tumblr: www.RaiseOurStory.tumblr.com
Twitter: @RaiseOurStory
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RaiseOurStory
1. Did you follow RAISE on Tumblr? Y/N
2. Did you follow RAISE on Twitter? Y/N
3. Did you follow RAISE on Facebook? Y/N
· If selected as a scholarship recipient, we ask that you participate in at least one (1) RAISE Twitter Town Hall and/or (1) RAISE Letter Campaign. Would you be willing to do this? (Your answer will not affect your chances.) Yes/No
· Optional: In an effort to increase visibility around pan-Asian undocumented issues and humanize the conversation around immigration policies, we encourage applicants to submit their story to RAISE’s Tumblr. Would you be interested in exploring this opportunity? (Your answer will not affect your chances.) Yes/No
If you’re not comfortable with being public about your story, list and describe a few other ways you would be open to contributing. (E.g., social media engagement, creative writing, photography projects, facilitating workshops, getting RAISE connected to your school, etc.)
V. Certification Statement
I hereby certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any misrepresentation will result in the disqualification of my application.
Signature:______Date: ______