Scholarship Program

DHA 2007 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROGRAM

2007 Awardees

BACKGROUND:

Employees of Sacramento County's Department of Human Assistance raise funds annually to award college scholarships to graduating high school seniors living in Sacramento County. This collaborative college scholarship program is available to assist and encourage graduating seniors from low-income families to pursue an education at an accredited college, university, technical or trade school.

Eligibility for scholarships is without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation. Employees of Sacramento County and their families, except for employees working in the classification of student aide, are not eligible.

PURPOSE OF SCHOLARSHIP:

This scholarship is awarded each year to promote:

• Higher Education
• Economic Resilience
• Stronger Communities

NOTIFICATION:

Scholarship recipients will be notified by Monday, April 28, 2008. Cash awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held in the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Chambers at 700 H Street (downtown Sacramento) on Thursday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m.

ELIGIBILITY:

(All Criteria is Subject to Verification / Proof of Eligibility)

1. Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and resident of Sacramento County.
2. Must be a graduating High School Senior from the class of 2008 entering a two or four year accredited college / university or technical / trade school
3. Must have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 2.5
4. Must be on public assistance or low income. Submit current verification of public assistance
   or IRS tax form 1040 (2006 or 2007).
   
   • (See Chart at right)
   • **Chart was created using the Earned Income Tax Credit Limits and the 200% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Applications are available from:
   • School / Counselor's Office
   • All DHA Bureaus
   • Online at DHAweb (application will be available in January 2008)
     • NOTE: The online application is a PDF file and requires a special reader application, which may be downloaded from the Adobe Acrobat site.
2. Must include all documentation at the time the application is received by committee
• Official and sealed High School transcript(s) {copies will not be accepted}
• Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives
• Acceptance letter or Proof of Enrollment (check will not be issued until proof of acceptance is provided)
3. Essays must be typed and have at least 500 words.
4. Students must title their essay and indicate the essay question they are answering.
5. Applicant and parent/guardian must sign application.
6. Application must be postmarked by Friday, March 7, 2008.

• Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted, so answer all questions
• All information will remain confidential and will not affect the household's financial assistance

USE OF SCHOLARSHIP:

The DHA Scholarship shall be applied toward any field of study at an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school.