CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program – Apply 2023/24

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CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship

CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program is an initiative that aims to provide financial support to underrepresented and financially disadvantaged students who are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields.

The program is named after Dr. Bernard Harris, a former astronaut and the first African-American to walk in space. This scholarship program is sponsored by the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), a nonprofit organization that advocates for urban public schools in the United States. The scholarship provides financial assistance and other resources to help students achieve their academic and professional goals in STEM fields.

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About the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS)

The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for urban public schools in the United States. The organization was founded in 1956 and represents 76 of the largest school districts in the country, serving more than 7 million students. The CGCS works to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students in urban schools by providing research, technical assistance, professional development, and advocacy services to its member districts.

The CGCS supports its member districts in a variety of ways, including helping to improve teaching and learning, supporting effective school leadership, promoting equity and access, and advocating for policies that benefit urban schools. The organization also sponsors several programs and initiatives, including the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in STEM fields.

About Dr. Bernard Harris

Dr. Bernard Harris is a former astronaut and the first African-American to walk in space. He was born in 1956 in Temple, Texas, and grew up in Houston. Dr. Harris earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Houston and his medical degree from Texas Tech University. He completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and went on to become a flight surgeon for the U.S. Navy.

In 1990, Dr. Harris was selected by NASA to join the astronaut corps, and he made his first spaceflight in 1993 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During that mission, Dr. Harris became the first African-American to walk in space, spending more than 4 hours outside the shuttle performing experiments and testing new equipment. Dr. Harris later went on to make a second spaceflight in 1995, logging a total of more than 438 hours in space.

After leaving NASA, Dr. Harris founded the Harris Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes education and entrepreneurship in underrepresented communities. He has also served as the chief executive officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works to improve STEM education in the United States. Dr. Harris’s achievements as an astronaut and his commitment to promoting STEM education have made him a role model and inspiration to many students and educators.

CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a graduating high school senior from a member district of the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS).
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university as a full-time student in the United States.
  • Intend to major in a STEM field, including but not limited to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • Demonstrate financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Submit a completed scholarship application, including official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship How To Apply

To apply for the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program, interested applicants should follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) website at www.cgcs.org.
  2. Look for a link to the “Scholarships” section of the website. This may be located in the “Programs” or “Resources” section.
  3. Click on the link to access the scholarship information and application.
  4. Review the eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully.
  5. Download and complete the scholarship application, which should be available in a printable or fillable PDF format.
  6. Gather all required documents, including official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
  7. Submit your completed application and all required materials by the specified deadline, which should be listed on the application or website.

CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2023 program has passed. Try again early next year (2024)

CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Amount

The CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program provides a scholarship award of $5,000 per year to each recipient. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years

NOTE: Renewal of the scholarship is not automatic, and recipients must reapply each year to be considered for renewal.

In Conclusion, The CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program provides financial support to graduating high school seniors from member districts of the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) who plan to major in a STEM field at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States. The scholarship program is competitive and recipients are selected based on a combination of academic achievement, financial need, and personal qualities. The scholarship award is $5,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years, provided the recipient meets certain eligibility requirements and submits a renewal application each year. Interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements carefully and follow the application instructions to apply for the scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CGCS scholarships are awarded?

Two African American and two Hispanic seniors pursuing courses in STEM-related professions in college next year will each receive four $5,000 scholarships, consisting of two males and two girls.