2012University of Maryland Alternative Breaks Scholarship Program

Each year, the AB program awards a number of need-based scholarships to participants on any of the winter, spring and summer break trips organized through Leadership & Community Service-Learning in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union or co-sponsoring departments or offices.

We are fortunate to have several scholarships available:

Berlage Scholarship

Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Berlage, an Alternative Spring Break Scholarship fund was created to help support students take advantage of the ASB service and leadership experience. Mr. Berlage (’54) was an active student leader during his undergraduate years and has a strong commitment to serving others. The Berlage Scholarship provides an annual $5000 to support ASB participants who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to service.

Maryland Parents Association Scholarship

For the 2011-12 Academic year, the Maryland Parents Association and the Parents Advisory Council awarded the AB program $2,500 for need-based scholarships. This scholarship was also made possible because of (NAME) who hosted a dinner with students during the 2011 ASB trip to Philadelphia focused on urban education.

UM Alternative Breaks Scholarships

The UM Alternative Breaks Scholarships provide additional resources for students who want to participate in either the Alternative Winter, Spring or Summer Break programs. Numerous individuals have provided generous gifts to help students have the AB experience. All participants (including graduate students) involved in the AB program are eligible to apply. Roughly $5000 of funding each year is dispersed through UM AB scholarships.

Important Application Information:

AB scholarships are intended to provide partial support of trip costs to individual participants. It is unlikely that 100% of costs for the AB experiences will be met via scholarships. In some cases, a significant portion of trip costs will be covered by scholarships although that is not the norm. None of the AB scholarships provide full support to participating students. All participants should be expected to contribute the $75 deposit as the scholarships will not be distributed until after that first due date.

Timeline Spring and Winter Trips

Sept. 26 / AWB & ASB Applications due
Oct. 16 / AWB & ASB Participant Kickoff!
Scholarship Applications Available
Oct. 28 / Scholarship Applications Due by Noon
Nov. 3 / Scholarship Decisions Made
Nov. 4 / Winter Break $75 first donation due
Nov. 11 / Spring Break $75 first donation due

Timeline Summer Trips

Dec. 5 / SAB Applications due
Dec. 12 / SAB Participant Selection
Scholarship Applications Available
Feb. 13 / Scholarship Applications Due by Noon
Feb. 24 / Scholarship Decisions Made
March 12 / ¼ trip fundraising complete

*Please note that the scholarship applications will not be due until AFTER the first gift of $75 is due on January 30th. All participants interested in applying for a scholarship must submit that first gift.

Application Procedure for Students

Scholarship recipients are students whose personal or family circumstances have challenged his or her opportunity for participation in AB, have demonstrated financial need as determined by the University (via FAFSA) and whose ability to participate can be fostered by the award of scholarship funds.

To apply to be an AB Scholarship recipient: A student must submit an application either ronline, via email or in person. Applications must be received by noon on October 28th for AWB or ASB and noon on February 13thfor SAB consideration. Applications may be submitted via the online form, email or in person to Terry Zacker, Community Service-Learning, 3100 Adele H. Stamp Student Unionor email at . Applications should address the eligibility criteria below. Questions may be addressed to Dr. Zacker at 301 314 7165 or via email at . Recipients will be notified by November 3rd (AWB/ASB) or February 24th (SAB).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration for an AB scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a selected AWB, ASB, or SAB participant on a UMD Alternative Breaks Trip or co-sponsored trip;
  • Be a registered degree-seeking student at the University of Maryland, College Park;
  • Demonstrate financial need (as determined by FAFSA and checked via the Univesrity’s Financial Aid office);
  • Have personal or family circumstances that affect the applicant’s experience at the University of Maryland and that have caused or contributed to a burden that may be remedied in whole or in part by the scholarship award; and
  • Be able to apply the full amount of the award to AB participation.

Each recipient will be expected to:

  • Have a demonstrated record of service to people in his/her community(ies), whether past or present, and
  • Participate fully in their AB team, both before, during, and after their alternative break experience.
  • Follow up thank you acknowledgement (as requested)

Application Instructions

You may submit theapplication in one of the following forms:

Via Online Form

(1)To apply for this opportunity online, please click here.

(2)We suggest you compose your responses in a word processor (e.g. Microsoft Word), then copy and paste your responses to the online form.

Via Email

(1)To apply for this opportunity via email, please click here to download the application and save it to your computer.

(2)Fill out the application and save it, with your last name in the document title.

(3)Send a copy to

(4)Keep a copy for your records.

In Person

(1)To apply for this opportunity in person, please click here to download the application and save it to your computer.

(2)Fill out the application and save it, with your last name in the document title.

(3)Print and deliver to:

Terry Zacker

Community Service-Learning

3100 Adele H. Stamp Student Union

University of Maryland

College Park, MD20742

(4)Keep a copy for your records.

2011-12 Alternative Breaks Scholarship Application

Name: ______Date: ______

Trip: ______

Address: ______

Email: ______Phone: ______

UID: ______

Major:______

Applicant must complete all sections below (please complete answers on an attached piece of paper not to exceed 2 typed pages):

(1)The UMD AB Scholarships are intended to assist in financing AB trips for students who could otherwise not afford to participate. Please describe the circumstances which have caused you to apply for these. Are there financial considerations that you want the committee to know about?

(2)Several of our AB scholarships have been provided through the generosity of Maryland alumni who are past student leaders and who continue to support the student leadership community. Please describe how you contribute to the communities of which you are apart.

(3)Is there anything else you wish to share with the review committee about your experience to date at or with the University of Maryland and/or AB?

Certification of Eligibility:

I certify that the above information is true, complete and correct. By signing this statement, I also certify that I meet all the eligibility criteria for this Scholarship Award and accept that any failure to be properly registered at the University of Maryland, College Park or withdrawal from AB can lead to revocation of the entire award (and may lead to financial liability on the part of the recipient). (If submitting this application via email, please type in your full name and email address. We may contact you for verification.)

______

Student SignatureDate