HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-17 Staff Report - Scholarship ProgramCONSENT ITEM
E-17
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: TROY L. BUTZLAFF, ICMA-CM, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CARINA CAMPOS, ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN
DATE: MARCH 7, 2016
SUBJECT: APPROVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES AND
CRITERIA FOR AWARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS
SUMMARY:
As a condition of their development agreement with the City, Vulcan Materials Company was required
to make an initial $75,000 contribution to a scholarship program fund and a $0.05 (five cents) per ton of
construction grade aggregate sold from the site once mining operations begin to support the scholarship
fund on a continuing basis. In order to create a process for awarding scholarships to eligible high school
students and first time adults looking to continue their post-secondary education by attending an
accredited college, university or trade school, Staff has drafted a Scholarship Program. This action
approves guidelines and criteria for a Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to eligible
high school students and adults.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1)Approve the Scholarship Program establishing a set of guidelines and criteria for awarding
scholarships to eligible high school students and first time adults looking to continue their post-
secondary education by attending an accredited college, university or trade school.
DISCUSSION:
As a condition of their development agreement with the City, Vulcan Materials Company was required
to make an initial $75,000 contribution to a scholarship program fund and a $0.05 (five cents) per ton of
construction grade aggregate sold from the site once mining operations begin to support the scholarship
fund on a continuing basis.
Currently, the City has no scholarship program in place to disburse funds to eligible applicants. As a
result, Staff has developed a Scholarship Program outlining procedures and guidelines to provide
APPROVED
COUNCIL MEETING
3/7/16
Approve a Scholarship Program Establishing Guidelines for Awarding Financial Assistance
March 7, 2016
Page 2
financial assistance to first time Azusa residents pursuing a post-secondary education who demonstrate a
financial hardship. Applicants are eligible for a total of six (6) scholarship opportunities. The
scholarships may be awarded as follows:
Scholarship Opportunities
High School Senior (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500
Adult Advancement (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500
The Scholarship Program strives to create future leaders committed to the betterment of the community
through citizenship, integrity and community involvement. Applicants must be residents of the City of
Azusa for a minimum of one (1) year and have been accepted to an accredited college, university or
trade school and demonstrate financial need among other qualifications and requirements. Recipients of
the scholarship will be required to complete a minimum of forty (40) hours of community service to the
City and/or community-based organization.
A draft of the Scholarship Program was presented to City Council at a Study Session on January 25,
2016 where City Council provided comments and direction. Since the Study Session, Staff has revised
the Scholarship Program to reflect City Council’s comments and recommendations. Staff recommends
that the Scholarship Program go into effect beginning July 1st.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated to the City by approving the Scholarship Program to establish a
uniform method of awarding scholarships to eligible applicants.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Carina Campos Louie F. Lacasella
Administrative Intern Management Analyst
Reviewed and Approved:
Troy L. Butzlaff, ICMA-CM
City Manager
Attachments:
1) Scholarship Program and Application
ATTACHMENT 1
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.
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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 Hours of Community Service All applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide a minimum of forty (40) 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
• Financial need.
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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 Manager’s Office City of Azusa 213 East Foothill Boulevard Azusa, CA 91702 (626)812-5102 ccampos@ci.azusa.ca.us
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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
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 2015.
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.
2015 State Income Limits
Members
in
household Annual
Income Less
Than 1 $47,850 2 $54,650 3 $61,500 4 $68,300 5 $73,800 6 $79,250 7 $84,700 8 $90,200
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Financial Information If applicant is awarded, a most recent tax return with adjusted gross income for 2015 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 2015. Check the income bracket that applies to your household to certify the annual income is less than what is listed. In 2014 or 2015, 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
2015 State Income Limits
Members
in
household
Annual
Income Less
Than 1 $47,850
2 $54,650
3 $61,500
4 $68,300
5 $73,800
6 $79,250
7 $84,700
8 $90,200
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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