2026/2027 Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders Russell Colon Scholarship

Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders

2026/2027 Russell Colon Scholarship Application
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL) High-School Scholarships

BCYL is proud to offer the Russell Colon High School Scholarship Award, each designed to support the educational aspirations of our students. Below are the details for the scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines.

In collaboration with Kolbe Cathedral and Notre Dame, we are delighted to offer you a scholarship covering four years of tuition, amounting to $2,500 annually. Furthermore, this amount will be matched by the school, bringing the total scholarship value up to $5,000 each year.

This scholarship symbolizes our deep commitment and faith in young individuals like yourself, who have emerged as leaders within the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders community. You embody the essence of our motto, “Today’s Youth…Tomorrow’s Leaders.” Deadline December 1st

Eligibility Requirements:
• Must attend either Notre Dame or Kolbe Catherdral High School as a full-time student.
• Must have particiapted in a BCYL program for three year to be eligble.
Additional Eligibility Requirements (Applies to All Scholarships):
I am applying for one of the following Scholarships
• Complete the entire application, indicating “not applicable” where necessary.
• Submit a letter of acceptance from the designated school(s).
• Provide two letters of recommendation from teachers.
• Submit two essays as specified in the application.
• Attend a personal interview independently.
• Be present at the awards presentation ceremony to receive the award.

• Minimum three-year participation in a BCYL program.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA or higher based on the designated school’s requirements.
• Good standing with BCYL and School.
• Commitment to contribute a minimum of 20 volunteer hours with BCYL annually

Application Deadline: Russell Colon Scholarship November 7, 2025
High School you want to attend:
Scholarship Criteria
• Based on financial need, academic accomplishment, and involvement in BCYL.
• Strictly for tuition costs.
• Non-transferable and cannot be combined with other BCYL scholarships.
• Eligibility for students in two-year community colleges to apply for four-year scholarships upon graduation.

Please submit the completed application and required documents to the BCYL Office, 595 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Junior High School Name
Guidance Counselor Name
Email
example@example.com
Phone Number
GPA:
Class Rank
Out of
STUDENT INFORMATION
Name

First NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Date of Birth:

MonthDayYear
Date
Home Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Cellular Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
How many years did you participate in BCYL Programming
What BCYL Programs did you participate In?

Student applicant give a description of your Extracurricular Activities/Community Service/BCYL Involvement/Honor Programs

	Description	From:	To:
1
2
3
4
5

PARENT INFORMATION
Father First Name:
Father Last Name:
Address

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code
Home Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Cellular Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email Address:
example@example.com
Occupation:
Mother First Name:
Mother Last Name:
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Home Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Cellular Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email Address:
example@example.com
Occupation:
Guardian First Name:
Guardian Last Name:
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Home Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Cellular Telephone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email Address:
example@example.com
Occupation:
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Please provide total annual family income. Be sure to include all income – including alimony, child support, veteran’s pension, social security benefits, and state / federal public assistance programs

Under $10,000$30,001 - $40,000$10,001 - $15,000$40,001 - $50,000$15,001 - $20,000$50,001 - $60,000$20,001 - $30,000$60,001 or Greater
Number of people dependent on this income:
Please make known to the Committee any extenuating circumstances.
Estimate the following expenses and income for your first full academic year.

	Estimated Expenses:
Tuition
Books & Supplies
Clothing/Uniform
Transportation
Total

Total

	Estimated Expenses:
Scholarships
Grants
Student Loans
Other

Total
If your expenses exceed your income, how do you plan to meet your expenses?
Essay Instructions
As part of your application for the Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL) scholarships, you are required to submit two essays. These essays are your opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations. Please adhere to the following guidelines:
Mandatory First Essay Topic
• Topic: How do you plan to contribute to your community in the future and make a positive impact on others?
• Purpose: Reflect on your personal goals and how they align with community betterment.

Second Essay Topic (Choose One)
• Significant Experience or Achievement: Share a significant event in your life, an accomplishment you're proud of, a risk you've taken, or an ethical dilemma you've faced. Discuss its impact on your personal growth.
• Issue of Importance: Discuss an issue that holds personal, local, national, or international significance to you. Explain why it matters to you and how it shapes your perspective.
• Influential Person: Write about someone who has significantly influenced your life. This could be a mentor, family member, historical figure, etc. Describe their impact on your development.
• Influential Work: Describe how a fictional character, historical figure, or creative work (art, music, science, etc.) has influenced you. Explain the nature of this influence.

Essay Guidelines
• Length: Each essay must be a minimum of 250 words.
• Format: Essays should be typewritten and attached to your application.
• Submission: Ensure both essays are included in your application packet.

Application Checklist
To complete your application for the BCYL scholarships, please ensure you include all of the following items:
• Completed Application Form: Submit by November 7, 2025, to BCYL.
• Recent Photo: Attach a current photograph.
• Letters of Recommendation: Include two letters from your teachers.
• Personal Statement: Share your aspirations and motivations.
• Acceptance Letter: Provide a letter of acceptance or a statement indicating your application is in progress from your designated school(s).
• Essays: Attach two essays as specified above.
• Latest Report Card: Include a copy of your most recent report card.
Write 1st Essay
Write 2nd Essay
Upload recommendations, grades, or report cards

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Date

MonthDayYear
Date
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Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders

Additional Eligibility Requirements (Applies to All Scholarships):

I am applying for one of the following Scholarships

Scholarship Criteria

SCHOOL INFORMATION

STUDENT INFORMATION

PARENT INFORMATION

FINANCIAL INFORMATION