Hey JAG Seniors! Congratulations on all you have accomplished as you prepare to graduate!
Do you plan to further your education in the fall? Would you like to have $2,000 for college expenses? If the answer is “yes,” apply now for the Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship!
The Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship Fund and the Smith Scholars Program were established by the JAG Board to recognize the extraordinary leadership and service of the President and Chief Executive Officer of JAG, Inc., Kenneth M. Smith. Since 2009, the Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship Fund has awarded 229 scholarships for a total of $261,000 for participants enrolled in Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). Contributions to the KMS Scholarship Fund has come from JAG Board members and partnering corporations who invest in the educational development of students in JAG.
Scholarships are awarded to JAG high school seniors in pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certificate, including: a public or private two-year community college, technical college, public or private four-year college/university, or an apprenticeship or trade school. Scholarships are also awarded to previous Smith Scholars who apply and are accepted for a follow-up scholarship to continue pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certificate.
Apply today!
Scholarship Guidelines:
- Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors in pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certificate, including: a public or private two-year community college, technical college, public or private four-year college/university, or an apprenticeship or trade school. Scholarships are also awarded to previous Smith Scholars who apply and are accepted for a follow-up scholarship to continue pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certificate.
- Scholarship application materials are submitted electronically. The application will include an application; 2 reference letter(s), academic transcript, essay, and other documentation that will assure full points are awarded for each criterion. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Applications must be typed, grammatically correct, and properly punctuated.
- Application and supporting documents must be uploaded to Tallo between March 1 and March 31, 2021. (https://app.tallo.com/application/5677/view) You will need a Tallo account. If you do not have one, this video explains how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK_MRp5edJU
- Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 PM EST, April 2, 2021 for consideration. Applications received after April 2, 2021 will not be considered.
- Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by members of the Smith Scholars Committee.
- The Smith Scholars Committee will make the final decision on scholarship awards to be announced May 7, 2020.
- Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, housing, textbooks, or school supplies.
- Award recipients are required to complete a survey after their first year of post-secondary courses. The survey will be sent to the email address listed on the application. To be considered for a follow-on scholarship, the survey must be completed.
- Scholarship recipients are welcome to attend the National Leadership Awards Luncheon in December 2021, although attendance is not required to be a Smith Scholar and expenses are not reimbursable.
- The number of awards may vary from year to year based upon the Ken Smith Scholarship Fund balance. On May 7, 2021, no less than twenty five (25) $2,000 scholarship recipients will be announced.
To successfully complete the Smith Scholars application process, you must complete the following:
Complete the Online Application. Answer all questions:
- Student information
- Work History
- List of References – provide a list of two references who can speak to your character and quality of work.
- Résumé – provide a current résumé listing your work and volunteer experience.
- Leadership Roles – Provide a list and brief explanation of leadership roles and involvement in the JAG Career Association.
- Community Service – Provide a detailed description of community service activities, hours volunteered, and a brief explanation of each service experience listed.
- A current transcript (official or unofficial)
- Proof of Acceptance. Proof of Acceptance into a postsecondary institution for the 2021-22 academic year
- Essay – The essay must be 3-4 pages (750 – 1000 words, double-spaced, 12pt Calibri font) and address the following:
- Explain the importance of JAG in your life and how the program has assisted your development.
- Your personal story and an obstacle you have overcome.
- Highlight how JAG has helped you focus on a career goal and how you will pursue it
- Two Reference Letters – Upload two reference letters
- High-Resolution Photo –Submit a high-resolution photo of yourself to use for promotional purposes.
Previous Smith Scholarship winners are encouraged to reapply. You must submit a new scholarship packet for 2021 including a current official college transcript; current résumé, and a new essay addressing the following:
- How did what you learn in JAG impact your year(s) in post-secondary school?
- Your personal story and what lessons you learned from meeting challenges in your life.
- Was the career path you chose in high school the correct choice? Why or why not?
- What do you know now that you wish you would have known in high school?
- How do you plan to give back to your JAG program in the future?