PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship is awarded to a

graduating high school senior who intends to pursue a

baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university. 

 

BACKGROUND

This scholarship honors Mary McLeod Bethune who was an

extraordinary educator dedicated to public service.

She founded the National Council of Negro Women and

Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In addition to being an educator and an organizer,

Mrs. Bethune was also a political activist. She was the

first African American woman to be involved in the White

House, assisting four different US presidents. Mary McLeod

Bethune was also a leader in the Black Women's Club

Movement, served as president of the National Association

of Colored Women, and vice president of the NAACP.

 

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

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The award is in the amount of $1,000 per semester, based on availability of funds.
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

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To be considered for the scholarship, the applicant must:

1. Be a student of African descent residing within our area of service (as explained below).

2. Live within our service area: Manhattan east to west from the East River to the Hudson River and north to south from 155th Street to Battery Park.

3. Be a graduating high school senior and have a B average (80 out of 100, 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale).

4. Participate in an extra-curricular activity and/or have a part-time job. 

5. Demonstrate volunteerism (i.e., caregiver for a family member, teach Sunday school, clothing drive, volunteer at a community or nonprofit organization, etc.).

6. Be admitted to a Baccalaureate Degree program at an accredited institution by the fall semester 2025. Proof of registration from an official office will be required.

 

MATERIALS REQUESTED OF ALL APPLICANTS

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   A completed application package must include the following: 

      1. Completed Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Application

      2. Copy of your most recent high school transcript

      3. Two (2) letters of recommendation: 
                1. One from a school official, and 
                2. One from a community leader, religious representative, or employer

      4. Your 2025-2026 Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is the response to the Free
           Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please BLOCK out your Social Security
           number and other personally identifiable information.

Deadline for electronic application submission is Saturday, May 3, 2025. 

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                         IF AWARDED THE MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE SCHOLARSHIP

 

TO MAINTAIN THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD, YOU MUST:

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       1. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (overall GPA is combined of all 
           semesters). 

       2. Be a full-time matriculated student (12 credits or more).

       3. At the beginning of each semester provide the Committee Chair, Denera 
           McCullough, with proof of enrollment (Bursar’s receipt or certification of 
           attendance from the Registrar), AND an updated official transcript indicating 
           that you meet the GPA requirements at the end of each semester.

       4. Official documents require an institutional logo, letterhead, and/or official stamp.

       5. If transferring, leave of absence, or withdrawal from your institution, the committee
           chair must be immediately notified as the conditions of your scholarship award may
           be in jeopardy.

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For more information and the application, click here.

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Click here to learn about our Memorial Scholarship for non-traditional students.

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​​Denera McCullough

Scholarship Committee Chair​

New York Alumnae Chapter

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2024-2025