Tacoma Links Scholarship Application

Access the Application and required forms at

Email the completed Application, Recommendation Forms and Photograph in a single attachment by February 10, 2016 to

Request your school’s registrar to email a copy of your official transcript to by February 10, 2016

Attention: Scholarship Committee

Save the Date:April 2, 2016 for a Scholarship Reception.

Scholarship winners and a parent/guardian are required to attend.

If you have any questions, you may contact

Mrs. Dorothy Williams, Co-Chair, Scholarship Committee

(253) 405-5201

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen of African descent pursuing an undergraduate degree or technical training at an accredited technical college.
  2. Applicant must be graduating from high school, continuing his/her educational training, or be

attending a college or university in the United States during the current year.

  1. Applicant must be registered at an educational institution on a full-time basis as defined by

the institution.

  1. Applicant must have a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.7 or higher.
  2. Applications must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted and will disqualify the applicant.

Application Requirements

  1. The Application and required forms may be found at
  2. The Application, three Recommendation Forms and Photo must be emailed in a single attachment to by no later than February 10, 2016.
  3. Type your first and last name in the subject line of the email, e.g., Ann Smith.
  4. Applicant must request that the school registrar submit by emaila copy of his or her official transcript to by February 10, 2016. The transcript must be submitted by the registrar’s office.
  5. Recommendation Forms: Applicant must submit three Recommendation Forms.
  • Two of the three Recommendation Forms must be completed by a teacher, counselor, or principal.
  • The Recommendation Forms must be signed by the author. A handwritten or electronic signature is acceptable.

6. Writing Requirement: You must submit a paragraph and an essay on the topics below. Your

writing samples must be emailed along with your application to:

a. Write aparagraph of not more than 250 words on the topic: “How will This Scholarship Impact My Educational Goals?

AND

b. Write an essay of between 500 to 1000 wordson one of the following three topics:

  • “What does the term, Black Lives Matter Mean to You?

OR

  • “How Technology Has Impacted My Life”

OR

  • “If You Could do One Thing to Change the World, What Would it Be and Why?

c. Use your own words. If you conduct research, include a bibliography if appropriate. Your writing samples must be typed in 12-point font and double spaced. Use either Times New Roman or Arial font.

  1. Photograph: You must provide a 3x5 or 4x6 frontal facial photograph of you with no one else in the photo, e.g. a school photo. Please be sure your photograph is clear and appropriate for reproducing in the program booklet featuring scholarship recipients. No hats or garments with words, pictures or graphics, please.
  2. Scholarship recipients are expected to volunteer a minimum of three (3) hours to assist the Links’ adopted elementary students and/or its teachers with a school project. The volunteer hours must be completed by May 31,2016. Additional information about the project will be available at the time of the scholarship award.
  3. The scholarship committee may require additional information and/or may request a personal interview.
  4. Incomplete applications will result in an applicant’s disqualification.

General Tips

The Application

  • You may access the application at
  • If you have any questions, please call Mrs. D. Williams, Scholarship Committee at (253) 405-5201.
  • Complete the application using Times New Roman or Arial font, size 12.
  • Proofread your application thoroughly and ask at least two people to review your essay.
  • Include your first and last name in the subject line when you email the application.
  • Scholarship recipients will be asked to submit to the scholarship committee before November 1, 2016 an official, sealed notification from their college/university Bursar’s Office confirming they are enrolled and attending the institution before the award is issued.

Recommendation Forms

  • Request the Recommendation Forms be completed by people with whom you are well acquainted. Two of the Recommendation Forms must be from a teacher, counselor, or principal.
  • Notify your recommender of your deadline and collect them in time to send electronically with your application packet. E-mail your application and all materials in a singleattachmentto no later than February 10, 2016.
  • Provide the recommender a copy of your résumé and other documentation of your strengths.
  • Communicate to the recommender the kind of information you would like included in the Recommendation Form.
  • Contact your recommenders if you do not receive their forms at least one week before the deadline to submit your application.
  • Remember to send “thank-you” notes.

The Links, Incorporated

Tacoma Chapter

Scholarship Application

All application materials must be completed electronically.

1. Name:______

First Middle Last

2. Address:______

NumberStreet

______

CityState Zip Code

3. Phone:Home______Cell ______Other ______

4. E-mail Address:______

5. Date of Birth:______/______/______

6. Ethnicity:______

7. Gender:Male ____ Female ____

8. U.S. Citizen:Yes ____No ______

9. Have you applied for any other scholarships? Yes ____ No ____ If yes, please list below.

______

10. Name of Father/Guardian: ______Occupation: ______

11. Address of Father/Guardian: ______

12. Father/Guardian’s Phone:

Home ______Work ______Other ______

13. Name of Mother/Guardian: ______ Occupation:______

14. Address of Mother/Guardian: ______

15. Mother/Guardian’s Phone:

Home ______Work ______Other ______

Financial Data

1. Annual Family Income $______Number of Dependents (including you) ______

Number of Siblings in College ______

2. Have you applied for financial aid?Yes ____ No ____ If yes, list the amount of financial

aid received $______

3. List scholarship awards you have received.______

______

______

Academic Data

1. High School Attending ______Graduation Date______

GPA ______

2. Do you plan to attend a college or university? ______Major field of study ______

3. Vocational Institution Attending ______

Majorfield of study ______Graduation Date______

4. Indicate if you are attending community college, continuing your education, or a graduate student, and the name of institution. ______

Major ______Minor ______

5. List academic and other special awards or honors received.

______

______

6. List extracurricular activities and community/church involvement.

______

______

______

7. List leadership positions held.

______

______

8. Applications for college admission have been submitted to:

______

______

Essays

1. Write a paragraph of not more than 250 words on “How Will This Scholarship Impact My

Educational Goals?”

2. Write an essayof between 500 to 1000 words on one of the following topics:

“What does the term, Black Lives Matter Mean to You? OR

“How Technology Has Impacted My Life” OR

“If You Could do One Thing to Change the World, What Would it Be and Why?

3. Use your own words. Prepare a bibliography if appropriate. The essay must be typed in 12-point font size and double spaced. Use either Times New Roman or Arial font.

Pledge

I pledge that all information submitted in this packet is accurate. I realize I may be disqualified should any portion be incomplete or inaccurate.

I pledge to adhere to the requirements and expectations as a recipient of The Links scholarship.

I agree that the Scholarship Committee may use my photograph to showcase the winners in a program booklet, in a video presentation during the awards presentation, and/or for other marketing purposes.

Handwritten or electronic signature is acceptable.

Applicant’s Signature: ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ______Date ______

Recommendation Form

This section is to be completed by applicant.

List the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three people who will complete your Recommendation Forms.

Name: ______Phone Number: ______

E-mail:

Name: ______Phone Number: ______

E-mail:

Name: ______Phone Number: ______

E-mail:

Three Recommendation Forms must be completed; however, letters of recommendation may be included in addition to the Recommendation Forms.

Three Recommendation Forms must be included with your application by February 10, 2016.

Please use the checklist (included) to ensure your application has been properly completed.

 Be sure to email your completed application and materials as a single attachment to

Be sure to place your name (first name, then last) in the subject line of the email.

The Links Incorporated

Tacoma Chapter

Scholarship Application Checklist

To Applicants:

Use the following checklist to ensure you have completed all requirements for your application. It is important that you use and follow it carefully. All of the following, with the exception of a copy of your official transcript, must be submitted as one application packet via a single email attachment.

Please be sure you are able to check off each item before submitting your application.

1. All sections of the application have been completed. Nothing is left blank.

2. Pledge is signed by both parent and student (handwritten or electronic

signature).

3. Recommendation forms and letters are typed or word processed, and each

contains the handwritten or electronic signature of the person making the recommendation. You are responsible for securing handwritten or electronic signatures and for including signed forms with your application.

4. Your name is on your essay.

5. Your essay has a title.

6. An appropriate photo accompanies the application. A school yearbook picture

(head, neck, and upper shoulders) is ideal for meeting this requirement. Your

name is written lightly on the back of your picture. Pictures of scholarship recipients will appear in our souvenir program.No hats, sunglasses, or garments with words, pictures or graphics, please.

______7. A copy of your official transcript is e-mailed to

y the registrar at your school by

February 10, 2016.Applicants may not submit the copy of their official

transcript.

Tacoma LinksRecommendation Form

Please submit typed recommendations to the requesting student before the February 10, 2016 due date. We are unable to accept handwritten forms.

In addition to this mandatory recommendation form, you may choose to submit a one-page letter of recommendation. Please include the student’s name and your name and relationship to the student.

The student’s proposed program of study should be considered in comparison with his or her academic ability and potential capabilities. Traits such as industriousness, responsibility, respectfulness, honesty, kindness, initiative, and leadership are considered significant.

Student’s Name

LastFirst M.I.

Rate the student on the following qualities using the scoring range from 1 – 5.
1. Weak 2. Below average 3. Average 4. Above average 5. Superior
Communication Skills ______
Ability to Follow Through ______
GPA & Quality of Course Selection _____
Initiative and Commitment ______/ Diversity of Extracurricular Activities _____
Cooperation and Leadership ______
Reliability and Trustworthiness ______
Personal Growth and Goals ______

List the subjects/activities in which you observed the student’s participation.

How well did this student demonstrate respect for adults and peers?

Why do you consider this student to be a worthy candidate for a scholarship?

Describe how the student has set examples in his/her personal lifestyle and values.

Name of person submitting recommendation

Relationship to student

E-mail addressTelephone

SignatureDate

Handwritten or electronic signature is acceptable.

1