Sowing Seeds With Faith — 2027 Scholarship Application

1
Full Legal Name* This field is required.Please enter your full legal name as it appears on official school records.
First Name
Last Name
2
Personal Email Address (No School Emails)* This field is required.Please provide a personal email address that you check regularly. Do not use your school-issued email address.
example@example.com
3
Phone Number* This field is required.
Please enter a valid phone number.
4
Current School or Institution.* This field is required.Enter the name of the high school, college, university, trade school, or other educational institution you currently attend. If you are not currently enrolled, enter your most recent school.
5
Current Grade or Year* This field is required.
Please Select
9th Grade/ High School Freshman
10th Grade/ High School Sophomore
11th Grade/ High School Junior
12th Grade/ High School Senior
College Freshman
College Sophomore
College Junior
College Senior
Trade School / Vocational Program
6
Expected or Actual Graduation Date* This field is required.Enter your expected graduation date if you are still in school, or your actual graduation date if you have already graduated.
Month
Day
Year
7
Current Cumulative GPA* This field is required.Enter your current cumulative GPA as reported by your school. If your school uses a different grading scale, enter your GPA as reported.
8
Upload Your Most Recent Official Academic Transcript* This field is required.Please upload your current academic transcript showing your cumulative GPA (The copy needs to come from the school you attend).
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9
Have you participated in a Sowing Seeds With Faith program?* This field is required.Eligibility for all SSWF scholarships requires current participation or participation within the past three years.
Yes, I currently participate in an SSWF program.
Yes, I participated in an SSWF program within the past three years.
No, I have not participated in an SSWF program within the past three years.
10
What are your plans after high school?Select the option that best describes your current educational plans.
Attend a four-year college or university
Attend a two-year college or community college
Attend a trade school or vocational program
Enter the workforce
Join the military
I am already enrolled in college or a postsecondary program
Other
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Applicant Mailing Address* This field is required.Provide the mailing address where you can reliably receive scholarship-related correspondence.
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Please Select
Please Select
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
North Korea
South Korea
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nagorno-Karabakh
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Mariana
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Somaliland
South Africa
South Ossetia
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
eSwatini
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Transnistria Pridnestrovie
Trinidad and Tobago
Tristan da Cunha
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
British Virgin Islands
Isle of Man
US Virgin Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Other
Country
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Intended or Current Field of Study* This field is required.Enter your intended major, area of study, or trade/vocational specialization. If you have not decided yet, enter “Undecided.”
13
Name of College, University, Trade School, or ProgramIf you have selected or enrolled in a college, university, trade school, or vocational program, enter its name. If you are still deciding, you may leave this field blank.
14
Upload Proof of College Enrollment or AcceptanceIf you have selected or enrolled in a college, university, trade school, or vocational program, upload proof of enrollment or acceptance. If you are still deciding, you may leave this field blank.
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15
Academic Achievements and CertificationsList any academic honors, awards, scholarships, certifications, or other educational achievements you have received. If none, you may leave this field blank.
16
Community Service, Leadership, and InvolvementDescribe your community service, volunteer work, leadership roles, employment, extracurricular activities, sports, school clubs, arts involvement, caregiving responsibilities, and other significant experiences. Include organizations, your roles, accomplishments, awards, and approximate dates when applicable. Explain what you learned and how these experiences have contributed to your personal growth. If none apply, you may leave this field blank.
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Financial Need or CircumstancesIf you would like to share, describe any financial circumstances, obstacles, or challenges that have affected your educational journey or ability to pay for school. Share only what you feel comfortable disclosing.
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Educational and Career GoalsIn 250 words or fewer, describe your educational plans and career goals and what you hope to accomplish in your chosen field or career. Explain how continuing your education will help you reach those goals.
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1. We Not Done Yet: The Legendary Carl Yelder Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: High school seniors.

Complete scholarship application.
Answer all scholarship-specific questions about honor roll, attendance, basketball, family, character, hobbies, and supporting others.

2. Audwin and Rae Helton HBCU Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: High school seniors.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5

300-word essay: Who Encouraged You, and How Will You Encourage Others?
One letter of recommendation.
Description of service to others.
Responses to the HBCU interest and reading questions.

3. Carolyn Ross-Brents Legacy Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors or high school graduates.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.2.

500-word essay: What Does Having a Servant’s Heart Mean to You?
Official transcript.
Proof of college acceptance or enrollment.
One teacher or school professional recommendation.
One community member recommendation.

4. Dawn A. Johnson Legacy Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: None.

GPA Requirement: None.

- One letter of recommendation.

5. Game Changers United — Anita & Kenneth Brown Scholarship

Preferred Grade Level: None, but must be a Student Athlete.

GPA Requirement: None.

250–500-word essay: A Hardship You Have Overcome.
One letter of recommendation.
Proof of college acceptance or enrollment.
Response to the student-athlete or student-manager question.

6. Gentry Family Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: High school seniors or current college students.

GPA Requirement: None.

Essay of 500 words or fewer: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself.
One teacher recommendation.
One community member recommendation.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment.

7. Inaugural Dr. Swannie Jett Scholarship Fund

Preferred Grade Level: Students pursuing enrollment at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0.

2–3-page, double-spaced essay written entirely in first person, addressing background, education, career goals, future aspirations, and financial need.
Financial-need response.
Financial-need documentation, such as FAFSA information or Free or Reduced-Price Lunch eligibility documentation.

8. Keith A. Bush, Jr. Entrepreneur Legacy Scholarship

Preferred Grade Level: None, Students interested in pursuing entrepreneurship or developing entrepreneurial goals.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5.

- 300–500-word essay: My Entrepreneurial Goals and Perseverance.

9. Tandy Family Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors or current college students who graduated from an eligible high school in Owensboro/Daviess County or Louisville/Jefferson County.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.75 (students with a 2.5–2.74 may apply with an upward academic trend or documented hardship).

Report of community service hours.
Essay: Service, Growth, and Community Impact.
One letter of recommendation.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment.
Description of community service and leadership experience.

10. Davis William Randle Memorial Scholarship (#DoItForDavo)

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors who are student-athletes.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.4.

- 500-word essay: #DoItForDavo.

11. Ray F. Gaither, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: College sophomores.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5.

250–500-word essay: Perseverance Through Hardship.
One letter of recommendation.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment.

12. Victorian Flowerchild Scholarship Program

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors or current college, community college, or trade/vocational school students.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5.

500–750-word personal essay: An Experience That Shaped Who You Are.
Educational and career goals statement of 250 words or fewer.
Current transcript.
One letter of recommendation.
List of employment, extracurricular activities, community service, leadership, caregiving responsibilities, achievements, and other significant experiences.

13. Smokeasy Lounge Seeds of Success Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors or current college students.

GPA Requirement: None.

250–500-word essay: Seeds of Success.
One letter of recommendation.
Description of service or leadership activities.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment.

14. Billy T Bullard Scholarship

Preferred Grade Level: Graduating high school seniors or current college students.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5.

Official disability award letter for a parent or legal guardian.
Current transcript or other official school documentation verifying GPA.
500-word essay explaining how the scholarship would affect the applicant’s family.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment, if required by the scholarship committee.

15. George & Yolanda Demaree Scholarship

Grade-Level Requirement: Graduating high school seniors.

GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.5.

Official transcript.
Personal essay explaining educational goals, career aspirations, and how the scholarship will help.
One letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer, or community leader.

Preference for students attending Simmons College

General Eligibility Reminder: All applicants must be current participants of Sowing Seeds With Faith or have participated in an SSWF program within the past three years.
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Which ONE scholarship are you applying for?* This field is required.
We Not Done Yet: Carl Yelder Scholarship
Audwin and Rae Helton HBCU Scholarship
Carolyn Ross-Brents Legacy Scholarship
Dawn A. Johnson Legacy Scholarship
Game Changers United — Anita & Kenneth Brown Scholarship
Gentry Family Scholarship
Dr. Swannie Jett Scholarship
Keith A. Bush, Jr. Entrepreneur Legacy Scholarship
Tandy Family Scholarship
Davis William Randle Memorial Scholarship
Ray F. Gaither, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Victorian Flowerchild Scholarship Program
Smokeasy Lounge Seeds of Success Scholarship
Billy T Bullard Scholarship
George & Yolanda Demaree Scholarship
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Please complete the questions and provide the information requested for the scholarship you selected. Make sure your responses accurately reflect your experiences and qualifications.
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Are you currently on the honor roll at your school?* This field is required.
Yes
No
My school does not use an honor roll system
23
Have you maintained perfect attendance during any school year?* This field is required.
Yes
No
24
Do you currently play basketball or have you played basketball during high school?* This field is required.
Yes
No
25
How do you demonstrate care, support, and encouragement toward your family, friends, or community?* This field is required.Share specific examples that show your character, how you support others, and how you stay true to yourself.
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What role does family play in your life, and how do you show your love and appreciation for the people who matter to you?* This field is required.Share an example of how you support, encourage, or stay connected with the people who are important to you. You may include relatives or other people you consider family.
27
Describe a time when you encouraged, supported, or helped someone who needed you.* This field is required.Explain what you did, why you chose to help, and what the experience taught you about being there for others.
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What makes you uniquely you, and how do you stay true to yourself in your everyday life?* This field is required.Share your personality, interests, or experiences that help others understand who you are. You may discuss your interests in music, gaming, or other activities that are important to you.
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What hobbies, interests, or activities bring you joy and help express your personality?* This field is required.You may share interests such as music, gaming, sports, or other activities that are meaningful to you. Explain what you enjoy about them and how they are part of who you are.
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Why do you believe you would be a good recipient of the “We Not Done Yet”: The Legendary Carl Yelder Scholarship?* This field is required.Reflect on your character, academic efforts, relationships, interests, and the ways you show up for others. Explain how your experiences reflect the spirit of this scholarship.
Reflect on your character, academic efforts, relationships, interests, and the ways you show up for others. Explain how your experiences reflect the spirit of this scholarship.
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Do you desire to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)?* This field is required.
Yes
No
I am still exploring my college options
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Would you describe yourself as an avid reader?* This field is required.
Yes
No
Sometimes
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Required Essay: Who Encouraged You, and How Will You Encourage Others?* This field is required.Write a 300-word essay responding to the following: “Who encouraged you, and how will you encourage others, and why is education the key to your success?” Reflect on the people who have encouraged you, how you plan to encourage others, and the role education will play in your future success.
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Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation to support your scholarship application.
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35
Describe How You Have Demonstrated Service to Others.* This field is required.Share examples of how you have served or helped others through school, volunteering, community activities, or other meaningful experiences.
36
Required Essay: What Does Having a Servant’s Heart Mean to You?* This field is required.Please write a 500-word essay responding to the following prompt:“What does having a servant's heart mean to you? Share how you have demonstrated a servant's heart in your own life and how you plan to use your education and future career to continue serving others.”
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Upload Letter of Recommendation — Teacher or School Professional* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a teacher or school professional who can speak to your character, academic efforts, or potential.
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Upload Letter of Recommendation — Community Member* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a community member who can speak to your character, service to others, and commitment.
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Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your character, commitment to serving others, and willingness to encourage and uplift those around you.
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Are you a student-athlete or a student manager connected to a sports team?* This field is required.
Yes, I am a student-athlete.
Yes, I am a student manager for a sports team.
No.
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Required Essay: A Hardship You Have Overcome* This field is required.In 250–500 words, describe a significant hardship you have overcome and explain how that experience has shaped your path toward college.
42
Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher, mentor, counselor, or another appropriate recommender.
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43
Required Essay: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself* This field is required.In 500 words or fewer, describe how you plan to move forward to become the best version of yourself.
44
Upload Letter of Recommendation — Teacher* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a teacher who can speak to your character, academic efforts, personal growth, and commitment to becoming a productive member of society.
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45
Upload Letter of Recommendation — Community Member* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a community member who can speak to your character, service to others, personal growth, and commitment to making a positive difference in your community.
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46
Required Essay: My Story, Resilience, and Making a Structural Impact* This field is required.Please write a 2–3 page personal essay, double-spaced and written entirely in the first person (“I”). Your essay should address each of the following areas: 1. Your Upbringing and Background: Share your background, family life, and any unique obstacles or challenges you have navigated as a first-generation college student. 2. Education and Extracurriculars: Reflect on your academic journey and the school experiences or extracurricular activities that have been most meaningful to you, including clubs, volunteering, sports, family responsibilities, or jobs. 3. The Spark: Describe the specific event, class, mentor, or life experience that sparked your interest in a career focused on community impact, such as engineering, public health, healthcare, or social services. 4. Future Aspirations: Explain your goals after graduation and how you plan to use your degree to improve the health, infrastructure, or well-being of communities in the United States. 5. Financial Need and Impact: Explain how receiving the $5,000 Dr. Swannie Jett Scholarship would benefit you and reduce the financial barriers to completing your degree.
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How Will You Demonstrate Financial Need?* This field is required.
I will provide my FAFSA information to demonstrate financial need.
I qualify for or previously qualified for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program while in high school.
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Upload Documentation of Financial Need* This field is required.Please upload documentation supporting your financial-need eligibility. This may include relevant FAFSA documentation or documentation showing your eligibility for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program while in high school.
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Required Essay: My Entrepreneurial Goals and Perseverance* This field is required.In 300–500 words, describe your entrepreneurial goals, a challenge you have overcome, and how perseverance, financial responsibility, and a commitment to continuous learning will help you achieve success. You do not need to own or operate a business already, but you should demonstrate a genuine interest in entrepreneurship.
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How Many Community Service Hours Have You Completed in the Past Three Years?* This field is required.Applicants must have at least 40 documented community service hours completed within the past three years, including at least 20 hours serving Black communities or working with Black-led organizations in Owensboro or Louisville.
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Required Essay: Service, Growth, and Community Impact* This field is required.Describe a goal or dream you are working toward, a challenge you have overcome, and how you hope to use your success to create opportunities or make a positive difference in your community.
52
Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, counselor, or community leader who can speak to your character, service, leadership, or commitment to your community.
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Required Essay: #DoItForDavoIn 500 words, tell us about a person, experience, challenge, passion, or act of kindness that has shaped who you are and the way you treat others. Share who you are beyond your grades, accomplishments, and athletic achievements, and reflect on how that experience has influenced the way you show up for the people around you.
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Required Essay: Perseverance Through Hardship* This field is required.In 250–500 words, describe a hardship you have faced and how you persevered through it. Explain what the experience taught you and how you have continued working toward your educational goals.
55
Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher, mentor, counselor, or another appropriate recommender who can speak to your character and perseverance.
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56
Required Essay: An Experience That Shaped Who You Are* This field is required.In 500–750 words, tell us about an experience, challenge, or circumstance that has shaped who you are today. What did you learn from it, and how will continuing your education help you build the future you envision?
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Upload One Letter of Recommendation Please upload one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, mentor, or community leader who can speak to your character, educational goals, leadership, or personal growth.
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58
Required Essay: Seeds of Success* This field is required.In 250–500 words, respond to the following prompt: Smokeasy Lounge began with an idea and grew into a place that brings people together. Describe a goal or dream you are working toward, a challenge you have overcome, and how you hope to use your success to create opportunities or make a positive difference in your community.
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Required Essay: How This Scholarship Would Help My Family?* This field is required.In 500 words, respond to the following prompt: How would winning the Billy T Bullard Scholarship directly affect your family? Explain how receiving this scholarship would help you pursue your educational goals, ease financial challenges, and make a meaningful difference in your household.
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Does at least one of your parents or legal guardians currently receive disability benefits?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Official Disability Award Letter* This field is required.Please upload a copy of the official disability award letter verifying that a parent or legal guardian currently receives disability benefits. This documentation will be handled confidentially and used for eligibility verification only.
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Personal Essay: Educational and Career GoalsExplain your educational goals and career aspirations, and describe how receiving this scholarship would help you achieve them.
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Upload One Letter of Recommendation* This field is required.Please upload one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, mentor, or community leader who can speak to your character, educational goals, leadership, or personal growth.
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