Alfredo Santiago Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Application forCurrentLEAP AcademySeniors

The Rutgers University Alfredo Santiago Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to LEAP Academy University Charter School graduates who enroll full-time at one of Rutgers University’s three campuses. The Scholarship was established in 1999 by the Director of the Rutgers Community Leadership Center, Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, in loving memory of her husband Alfredo Santiago and with the goal to increase the number of children in Camden who attend college.

The Scholarship is awarded annually to eligible LEAP Academy graduates based on academic merit and financial need with an emphasis on increasing diversity at Rutgers. Recipients who remain in good academic standing may renew the scholarship for up to three additional years (four years if he/she is enrolled in a five-year program).

Selection Criteria:

  1. Must show academic excellence and maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA
  2. Must not exceed 4 unexcused absences and be on probation
  3. Must exhibit outstanding character and leadership in school and in the community
  4. Must maintain positive conduct and good disciplinary standing (no suspensions and no more than 4 low level disciplinary referrals)

The submission deadline of the application for current LEAP seniors will beMay 3, 2017.

By submitting this application you agree to allow LEAP Academy University Charter School the permission to use the National Student Clearinghouse database to keep up to date records of educational attendance.

Only fully completed applications will be reviewed. The maximum award amount is for $2,500 each academic year.

E-mail or hand deliver completed application and supporting documents to:

Matthew Closter

Community Leadership Center

Rutgers University

501 Cooper Street

Camden, NJ 08102-9908

Please type all responses:

Section I – Personal Information

Full Name: / Date of Birth:
Ethnicity: / Gender: / Social Security Number:
Permanent Address:
Cell Number: / Home Number:
Email address:

Section II- Academic Information

Rutgers Campus Attending:

Expected College Graduation Date:

Anticipated Degree Program:

Ex. Bachelors in Psychology

Living Arrangements (Circle One): On-Campus Off-Campus

Current Cumulative GPA: # of Years in the Alfredo Santiago Society:

Section III – Extracurricular Activities and Interests

  1. List and briefly describe your extra-curricular activities (e.g. memberships in student organizations, sports, clubs etc.)
  1. List and briefly describe community service, service learning, and volunteer activities in which you have been involved.
  1. List any honors or academic awards you have received (e.g. scholarly activities, honors programs, etc.)

Section IV – Short Essays

Please submit a type written response to each short essay question (max 250 words per question)

  1. How have your experiences at LEAP academy helped you determine your academic/career field? How do you plan to enter this field?
  1. In order to continue to receive theAlfredo Santiago Endowment Fund Scholarshipyou must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Please provide your current class schedule and provide a weekly study schedule that you will follow in order to maintain this GPA.
  1. How can LEAP Academy improve in the way it educates the students of Camden?
  1. How will you encourage other LEAP academy students to become leaders and succeed in their educational goals? How will you mentor them?
  1. Briefly describe any unique life experiences that have motivated you to reach your goals.

Section V – Supporting Documents

Please Submit the Following documents with the completed scholarship application:

  1. Official High Schooltranscript
  2. Updated Resume
  3. Two Letters of Recommendation
  4. Financial Aid Planning Letter
  5. Signed Student Information release form (FERPA)
  6. Upon receipt of final term bill, forward to Matthew Closter() at the Community Leadership Center