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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-10 Staff Report - Revised Scholarship Program ApplicationCONSENT ITEM E-10 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: DON PENMAN, INTERIM CITY MANAGER FROM: KURT E. CHRISTIANSEN, FAICP, ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DATE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SUMMARY: At the regular meeting of March 7, 2016, the City Council approved the Scholarship Program establishing a set of guidelines and criteria for awarding financial assistance to eligible high school students and adults. Funding for the program is available through an initial $75,000 contribution made from Vulcan Materials Company as a condition of the development agreement. The second annual scholarship application period opened on January 3, 2017 and ended on March 16, 2017. A Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee was formed to evaluate the applications and make recommendations to the City Council. In addition to awarding the scholarships, the Ad-Hoc Committee proposed a modification to the scholarship program. The proposed action will modify the scholarship program by reducing the number of community service hours from 40 hours to 20 hours. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following action: 1) Approve the revisions to the Scholarship Program. DISCUSSION: A Scholarship Program was approved at the March 7, 2016 City Council meeting outlining procedures and guideless to provide financial assistance to first time Azusa residents pursuing a APPROVED COUNCIL MEETING 9/18/2017 Revised Scholarship Program September 18, 2017 Page 2 post-secondary education who demonstrated a financial hardship. A total of six (6) scholarship opportunities were made available as follows: Scholarship Opportunities High School Senior (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500 Adult Advancement (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500 Applicants are required to meet the following qualifications to be eligible for the scholarship: High School Senior Applicant Adult Advancement Applicant  Must be a resident of Azusa for a minimum of one (1) year;  Must be a high school senior;  A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75;  Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community;  Provide evidence of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school; and  Proof of financial need.  Must be a first time freshman with no previous college credit;  Must be a resident of Azusa for a minimum of one (1) year;  Be at least nineteen (19) years of age;  Demonstrate involvement in the community;  Provide evidence of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school; and  Proof of financial need. Applications are evaluated anonymously on academic achievement, dedication to extracurricular activities, community involvement, one-page essay and financial need. Applicants who are awarded a scholarship are required to:  Complete (40) forty hours of community service;  Provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school;  Provide proof of adjusted gross income; and  Provide proof of residency. The second annual scholarship application period ended March 16, 2017. The Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of Councilmember Carrillo and Councilmember Gonzales convened and evaluated the applications. In addition, the Ad-Hoc Committee discussed the need to revise the Scholarship Program in order to encourage a larger number of pool of applicants for the next application period. Specifically, the Ad-Hoc Committee believed the number of hours of community service should be reduced from 40 hours to 20 hours. This recommendation was approved on May 15, 2017. Staff was directed to revise the program and bring back to a future City Council meeting for approval. This action will modify the scholarship program by reducing the number of community service hours from 40 hours to 20 hours. Revised Scholarship Program September 18, 2017 Page 2 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Carina Campos Kurt E. Christiansen, FAICP Economic Development Specialist Economic and Community Development Director Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved: Louie F. Lacasella Don Penman Senior Management Analyst Interim City Manager Attachment: 1) Revised Scholarship Program and Application 2018 City of Azusa Scholarship Program The City of Azusa has established a scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to qualified residents who wish to pursue post-secondary education. The City of Azusa Scholarship was created to assist high school seniors and first time adults advancing in their career through six (6) scholarship opportunities. Applicants who reside in the City of Azusa meeting all the requirements will be eligible to receive an award of up to $1,000. The scholarships may be awarded as follows: Opportunity 1 High School Senior (1) - $1,000; (2) - $500 Opportunity 2 Adult Advancement (1) - $1,000; (2) - $500 Applicants are eligible to apply to one (1) of the two (2) scholarship opportunities. The City will send awards directly to the applicant’s school of choice upon receipt of registration verification to an accredited college, university or trade school to assist in tuition, fees, room & board and books. Mission The mission of the City of Azusa Scholarship is to support aspiring graduating high school students and young adults looking to achieve a higher education by providing financial assistance. Vision The vision of the City of Azusa Scholarship is to provide opportunities for Azusa youth to pursue a college education and in turn create future leaders committed to the betterment of the community through citizenship, integrity and community involvement. Guidelines Applications can be obtained online at www.ci.azusa.ca.us or at City of Azusa Human Resources office. Applications must be filled out completely. Any incomplete applications will be disqualified from the application process. All applicants must submit the following: • Completed Application; • Two (2) reference letters; • One (1) sealed official transcript for graduating high school seniors only; and • One-page essay. Qualifications for High School Senior Applicant • Must be a resident of Azusa for a minimum of one (1) year; • Must be a high school senior; • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; • Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community; • Provide evidence of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school; and • Proof of financial need. Page 2 of 10 Qualifications for Adult Advancement Applicant • Must be a first time freshman with no previous college credit; • Must be a resident of Azusa for a minimum of one (1) year; • Be at least nineteen (19) years of age; • Demonstrate involvement in the community; • Provide evidence of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school; and • Proof of financial need. Requirements All applicants awarded a scholarship must meet the following requirements: • 40 20 Hours of Community Service All applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide a minimum of forty twenty (4020) hours of community service to the City and/or a community-based organization. Applicants will be required to provide a statement of proof acknowledging work was completed and must complete the community service within one (1) year of receipt of the scholarship. • Proof of Acceptance to Accredited College, University or Trade School All applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school. A receipt of registration verification is required before any funds are disbursed directly to the applicant’s school of choice. If evidence is not provided the scholarship is forfeited. • Proof of Adjusted Gross Income All applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide proof of the most recent tax return with adjusted gross income. Pay stubs alone are not an adequate form of information. If evidence is not provided the scholarship is forfeited. • Proof of Residency Scholarship recipients must have been residents of the City of Azusa for at least one (1) year. Awardees will be required to provide proof of residency. Two (2) proofs must be provided dated one (1) year prior to the application due date. Proofs must be under the applicants name or parent’s name if the applicant is a dependent student. Acceptable proofs of Azusa residency include but are not limited to:  Tax returns giving Azusa as the home address  Pay check stub  Checking or saving account statements  Utility Bill  Driver’s License or Identification  Passport Basis for Selection Applicants will be selected based on the following items: • Academic Achievement; • Dedication to extracurricular activities and or community involvement; • One-page essay; • Interview; and Page 3 of 10 • Financial need. Each application will be evaluated and ranked based on the applicant’s academic achievement, community involvement or extracurricular activities, interview and financial need. Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of members of the City Council and City Staff. All decisions of the committee will be final. Disbursement of Award The City will distribute funds directly to the applicant’s school of choice upon receipt of registration verification to an accredited college, university or trade school. GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CONDITIONS: a. The City reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the Scholarship Program at any time without prior notice. b. The City reserves the right to postpone the Scholarship Program at any time. c. The City reserves the right to seek clarification of information submitted in response to the Scholarship Program Application. d. The City reserves the right to modify the Scholarship Program as it deems necessary. e. Any material misrepresentations made by the applicant(s) will void the application and eliminate the applicant from further consideration. f. The City reserves the right to take all reasonable and appropriate steps to recover diverted funds. For More Information Questions regarding this scholarship application should be submitted to: Carina Campos City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, CA 91702 (626)812-5102 ccampos@ci.azusa.ca.us Page 4 of 10 City of Azusa Scholarship Application Application Procedure: Application must include two (2) reference letters and one (1) sealed official transcript for graduating high school seniors only. Please submit application packets to City of Azusa, City Clerk’s Office, Attn: City of Azusa Scholarship 213 East Foothill Blvd., Azusa, CA 91702. I am applying for: High School Senior Scholarship Adult Advancement Scholarship Applicant Information First Name Middle Name Last Name Street Address City State Zip Code Phone Number E-Mail Address: Current School * If you are an Adult Advancement applicant and are not currently enrolled in school, provide your most recent school. School Name Street Address City State Zip Code Phone Number Grade Level Cumulative GPA Graduation Date Page 5 of 10 Honors and Awards List any honors or awards you have been presented. List the title of the award, date and institution that provided the award. Extracurricular Activities List all activities and years in which you have participated. Include any leadership positions held. Examples of activities include and are not limited to: clubs, sports, school publications, plays, arts, hobbies and community involvement. Page 6 of 10 Future Career Plans What are your career goals and how do you intend to achieve them? College, University or Trade School of which you intend to enroll: College, University or Trade School Name City State Semester Major Have you been accepted? If yes, include a copy of letter of acceptance. Yes No Page 7 of 10 One-page Essay: Choose two (2) of the following questions and answer each question with 300 words or less. Be sure to clearly label your work. 1. Identify a need in the community and offer a solution/plan that involves citizenship, integrity, and community involvement. 2. Tell us how you use citizenship, integrity and community involvement in your life and how you can teach these traits to others. 3. To what extent are good citizenship, integrity and community involvement needed in a community? 4. Identify an individual in your community and explain how he or she upholds citizenship, integrity and community involvement. Page 8 of 10 Financial Eligibility The City of Azusa Scholarship is designed to help applicants in families with limited financial resources. Applicants must live in a household that fits the state income limits for 2017.  If you are a High School Senior applicant, provide your parent or legal guardian information.  If you are an Adult Advancement applicant and are dependent student, provide your parent or legal guardian information. If not, continue to the Family Members section. Parent or Legal Guardian Name Last Name Street Address City State Zip Code Phone Number Family Members Please list all family members in your household below, including yourself. Full Name and Relationship 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2017 State Income Limits Members in household Annual Income Less Than 1 $50,500 2 $57,700 3 $64,900 4 $72,100 5 $77,900 6 $83,650 7 $89,450 8 $95,200 Page 9 of 10 Financial Information If applicant is awarded, a most recent tax return with adjusted gross income for 2017 will be required. Pay stubs alone are not an adequate form of information. Applicants must live in a household that fits the state income limits for 2017. Check the income bracket that applies to your household to certify the annual income is less than what is listed. In 2016 or 2017, did anyone in your household receive: (Check all that apply.) Supplemental Security Income Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Free or Reduce Price School Lunch Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Not Applicable I, understand that misrepresentation of information subjects the applicant to being disqualified. I hereby certify that all of the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge. Signature Date FOR MINORS I, parent or legal guardian of understand that misrepresentation of information subjects the applicant to being disqualified. I hereby certify that all of the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge. Signature Date 2017 State Income Limits Members in household Annual Income Less Than 1 $50,500 2 $57,700 3 $64,900 4 $72,100 5 $77,900 6 $83,650 7 $89,450 8 $95,200 Page 10 of 10 Application Checklist Completed Application Two (2) reference letters One (1) sealed official transcript for graduating high school seniors only One-page essay I certify that to the best of my knowledge the information in this application is true and factual. Signature Date We appreciate the time that you have taken to submit an application. Completed applications should be submitted to: City of Azusa City Clerk’s Office Attn: City of Azusa Scholarship 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, CA 91702