Junior League of Cleveland
2024 – 2025 Scholarship Application Information

A Scholarship for Women Overcoming Adversity & Resuming Their Education

The Junior League of Cleveland is pleased to announce the opportunity for students to apply for a scholarship to support the achievement of their post-secondary education goals. Scholarships are awarded up to $5,000.

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the following items via Google Forms by March 31, 2024.

• Scholarship Fund Application

• Personal Essay  (500 Words Max)

  • Topic: What life experiences or challenges led to your education interruption? How will this scholarship empower you to finish your education?

• Letter of Recommendation 

ELIGIBILITY
Who qualifies for our scholarship?

• Applicants must identify as women and who are nontraditional students and have overcome obstacles to resume their education

• Applicants who have graduated from the foster care system

• Applicants must attend a fully accredited college, technical program, or graduate school

• Applicants must be permanent residents of one of the following Ohio Counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina and Trumbull

Who is a non-traditional student?
A non-traditional student is defined as an applicant whose education was interrupted by:

• Life responsibilities such as work and/or family responsibilities, requiring her to pursue her post-high school education on an unconventional schedule

• Unexpected challenges that prevented her from continuing to college after completing high school or requiring her to get a GED

History of the Scholarship The Junior League of Cleveland Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 to provide financial assistance to non-traditional women students, particularly those who had faced challenges and interruptions in their education. In 2011, the program expanded to include women who had been in foster care. A committee of JLC members selects scholarship recipients each year and to date, the program has supported the educational dreams of over 50 women.

FAQ

• How can I contact the Junior League of Cleveland?
  Inquiries may be made to the Junior League of Cleveland Scholarship Fund by calling 216.231.6300x 3 or by emailing scholarship@jlcleveland.org

• Who is not eligible?
  Applicants pursuing post-secondary educational opportunities directly after high school (except for those who were placed in a foster care system) are NOT eligible. Members of the Junior League of Cleveland and their immediate families are not eligible

• Can I reapply?
  Applicants may reapply if they have not been awarded a JLC scholarship in the past

• What can scholarship funds be used for?
  Funds to assist with the cost of accredited instructional programs and/or workforce training programs AND funds to assist with additional educational expenses that may restrict the student’s access to education such as program supplies, accredited daycare, accredited preschool, and after-school childcare, and the recipient’s transportation. Funds may be used to pay current and upcoming tuition; they cannot be used to pay off loans or for terms that already have been completed.

• What academic or training programs are eligible for this scholarship?
  Applicant must use funds to attend an established, accredited training or educational program and/or for related expenses incurred while attending said program (e.g., tuition/program fees, books, supplies, recipient’s transportation, childcare, etc.)

• How are scholarship funds awarded?
  Funds will be awarded in May 2024 for the student’s use for her current or upcoming term of educational needs. The Junior League of Cleveland (JLC) will disburse the funds directly to the institution of the recipient’s choice

• What amount is the JLC Scholarship?
  Applicants may request scholarships up to $5,000

• What if the JLC needs additional information?
  Applicants might receive a phone call during the selection process requesting further information

• How do I find out if my educational program is accredited??
  To find out if your program is accredited, visit https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ or speak with your student advisor.

• Other than the application, personal essay, and letter of recommendation, can I send in additional materials?
  No, applicants should send only requested materials; no other materials will be considered

• When will I be notified?
  The Junior League of Cleveland will notify recipients by Wednesday, May 1, 2024