<p>UCM – Valencourt Scholarship Application </p><p>UCM’s Valencourt Scholarship program encourages minority youth to attain additional training and education, to increase access to higher-paying jobs and less time between jobs by offering up to $2,500 in financial assistance to graduating seniors interested in pursuing a vocational education.</p><p>Students may also access additional resources – such as employment preparation and placement - as they move forward in higher education and in seeking employment.</p><p>Final selection of UCM Valencourt Scholars will be recommended by a team of volunteers and staff. Awarding scholarships may include judgment in assessing the character, motivation and potential for applicants. </p><p>All decisions are final and at the discretion of UCM. UCM reserves the right to ensure Scholars represent the general population of the High Schools represented. </p><p>Attn: All applications must be postmarked or emailed by Sunday, May 20, 2016. Please complete all sections of the application. </p><p>SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION </p><p>Name: Date of Birth: Social Security Number:</p><p>Address:</p><p>Cell Phone: Other Contact Number:</p><p>Email address:</p><p>Parent[s] Name and Address:</p><p>Parent[s] Phone Number and Email Address:</p><p>EMERGENCY CONTACT [name, phone, address] if other than parent[s]: </p><p>What language did you first learn?</p><p>Ethnicity: Gender: Country of Citizenship:</p><p>*Students must be US citizens or have appropriate visas that allow them to work in the United States</p><p>1 SECTION 2 – ACADEMIC INFORMATION </p><p>Name of High School: ______</p><p>GPA upon graduation: ______Current GPA if not graduated yet: ______</p><p>Have you been accepted into career, training or certificate program? If so, please provide the name/location:</p><p>If not, please provide the name of your intended school and when you expect to hear about acceptance:</p><p>SECTION 3 – SHORT ESSAYS </p><p>IN A SEPARATE DOCUMENT, please answer the following questions. Maximum word count: 300 per question.</p><p>A. What trade or course do you plan to pursue and why?</p><p>B. How do you feel the Valencourt Scholarship can help prepare you for success?</p><p>C. How will you finance the rest of your education expenses?</p><p>D. Describe a personal accomplishment. What did you overcome and what strengths and skills did you use?</p><p>E. Explain how you have made your community a better place to live. Provide specific examples. </p><p>F. Is there any other information that we should know about you? </p><p>SECTION 4 –FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION </p><p>Choose either Dependent or Independent Student Status * Dependent [living at home during training] Independent [living alone or with roommates]</p><p>Household Size in 2015 * Adults____ Youth [under 18] ______</p><p>Household Gross Annual Income in 2015*  Attach a copy of evidence of 2015 income [OR attachments with a UCM Universal Intake Form]</p><p>Apply for federal financial aid (FASFA): https://fafsa.ed.gov/ </p><p>2 FASFA Application Confirmation Number: Signed by applicant:</p><p>I affirm that everything in this application is true to best of my knowledge. I give UCM permission to verify the accuracy of this information. </p><p>Because so many worthy applicants are seeking support, UCM reserves the right to make final selection based on subjective criteria. These include: assessment of how the funds will help the student succeed and how likely the student is to complete coursework. </p><p>I certify that what I’ve submitted is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that an application is no guarantee of award.</p><p>______</p><p>Signature of Applicant Date</p><p>______</p><p>Signature of Parent(s) if under 18 years of age Date</p><p>______</p><p>Submitting your application</p><p>Please submit the following to be considered for UCM’s Valencourt scholarship:</p><p>1. Completed application form</p><p>2. Two letters of recommendation, from high school teachers and/or work supervisors</p><p>3. Proof of graduation from High School [Mt. Vernon or Bryant or West Potomac]</p><p>Return applications to: (email and physical address)</p><p>To apply by email: submit all required documents (pdf or docx. format) to [email protected]. Please write your name and date in the subject line. </p><p>To apply by mail please send all required documents to: Progreso Hispano 4100 Mohawk Lane Alexandria, VA 22309</p><p>3</p>