• Applicants must be residents of District 8 or attend a District 8 high school.
• Applicants must have a minimum weighted GPA of 2.0 or higher at their current institution.
• Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to a college, university, or trade school at the time of application and provide proof of matriculation.
• Applicants must demonstrate a positive impact in both academic and community settings by submitting a letter or résumé highlighting their involvement in school and/or community activities.
• Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation
  • Note: Recommendation letters should be on official letterhead (if possible), specific to this scholarship, and current (not an admission recommendation letter). The letter should be sent to you directly to be uploaded with your application.

• Official transcript showing current grades:
  • High school students must submit a high school transcript.
  • College or trade school students must submit their current transcript.
  • Graduates must submit both their high school transcript (or GED certificate) and their current college/trade school transcript.
• Proof of acceptance into a post-secondary institution.
• Completed application form.

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic merit, financial need, and community involvement. Students who have demonstrated academic excellence, community engagement, or leadership skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a well-developed, essay detailing their experiences and inspiration for making a positive impact in their school and community.

This scholarship is an opportunity to support dedicated students in District 8 who have demonstrated resilience, leadership, and a commitment to their education and community. We look forward to reviewing your application!

• February 9, 2026 - Scholarship application opens.
• April 3, 2026 (11:59 PM EST) - Application deadline.

• April 4, 2026 - April 20, 2026 - The Scholarship Committee will review all complete applications and evaluate candidates based on academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement.
• April 21, 2026 - Candidates and their parents/guardians will be notified of scholarship decisions via email.

• June 6, 2026 - Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Scholarship Banquet. Attendance is required for all awardees. Further details regarding the event will be provided in the award notification.

We encourage all eligible students to apply and look forward to supporting outstanding scholars in District 8.

If you are currently in high school:

If you are currently in college:

Please provide official documentation of your enrollment or acceptance into a post-secondary institution.

Please submit a letter or résumé demonstrating your positive impact in both academic and community settings, including school and/or community activities?

Please provide two letters of recommendation

Burroughs' District 8 Scholarship Program

Essay Questions (you must only choose one from this list below. Essays should be 500 words or less. Please note that AI tool including but no limited to CHAT GPT can be used to write the essay):

1. The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 destroyed one of the most successful

Black business districts in the country. How do you believe the loss of

generational wealth from Tulsa still impacts economic inequality today, and

what responsibility does society have to address it?

 

2. Affirmative action has been one of the most debated policies in higher

education. What problem was affirmative action created to solve, and how

do recent changes to it affect students of color today?

 

3. The March on Washington in 1963 was centered on jobs, justice, and

freedom. How do the goals of that march connect to the challenges facing

African American and Latino students seeking higher education today?

 

4. Many people fought for the right of African Americans and Latinos to

attend colleges and universities. Choose one historical figure, organization,

or movement that expanded access to higher education and explain their

impact.

 

5. How do immigration policies and the actions of agencies such as ICE

affect Latino families’ access to education, stability, and opportunity?

 

6. The United States often speaks about equal opportunity, yet outcomes

remain unequal. What barriers still prevent African American and Latino

students from fully accessing higher education?

 

7. Discuss how systemic racism and discrimination have influenced wealth,

housing, and education outcomes for communities of color. How are

these issues connected?

 

8. Many allies outside of African American and Latino communities

supported civil rights and educational access. Why are cross-cultural and

cross-racial alliances important in advancing justice?

 

9. What lessons can today’s students learn from the Civil Rights

Movement when advocating for fairness in education and society?

10. How do you think the current political and social climate in the United

States affects the hopes and aspirations of young people of color?

 

11. Education activists often argue that access alone is not enough—success

and support matter too. What kinds of support do students of color need

once they enter college?

 

12. In what ways has economic inequality limited educational opportunities

for African American and Latino communities, and how can education

help break that cycle?

 

13. Reflect on a moment in history when the government failed to protect

the rights of a community of color. How did that failure affect education or

economic opportunity?

 

14. What responsibility do elected officials and public institutions have in

ensuring equitable access to higher education?

 

15. How can your own educational journey contribute to uplifting your

community and addressing historic injustices?

 

16. Looking toward the future, what changes would you like to see in

America’s education system to ensure equity for African American and

Latino students? What role do you hope to play in that future?