LeTendre Education Fund 2011 Scholarship Application

Scholarship Announcement and Application

Applications Accepted from January 1, 2011 - September 12, 2011

Children and youth in homeless situations face numerous barriers to educational success. Deep poverty, high mobility, and school requirements often make attending and succeeding in school a challenge. Despite these challenges, many students who experience homelessness not only graduate from high school, but wish to pursue a college education.

What is the LeTendre Education Fund?  The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth provides scholarship assistance to students who are homeless or have experienced homelessness through the LeTendre Education Fund for Homeless Children, established in 1998 in memory of André E. LeTendre, husband of Mary Jean LeTendre, former Director of Compensatory Education for the U.S. Department of Education. André was a friend and mentor to many young people and was especially committed to helping children in homeless situations. In the spirit of André's desire to help children in homeless situations, the LeTendre Education Fund supports their efforts to pursue higher education.

Who administers the LeTendre Education Fund? The LeTendre Fund is administered by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

Who selects the recipients? A national advisory board including local, state, and national educators, as well as family, and friends of the late André LeTendre, reviews the applications and makes the selection.

How many scholarships are awarded? There will be a minimum of two $2,000 scholarships awarded annually. The scholarship is a one-time award. Additional financial support may be available for scholars in subsequent years. 

How may the LeTendre Education Fund scholarship be used? Upon submission of evidence that you have enrolled in a post secondary program for credit, the scholarship will be provided and may be used to help defray the costs of college tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses.

How many scholarships have been awarded in the past? To date, the Fund has awarded scholarships to more than 200 recipients. 

When will the 2011 scholarships be awarded? The scholarships will be awarded on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Who is eligible for the scholarship? The scholarship funds are available to students who are homeless or who have been homeless during their school attendance, and who have demonstrated average or higher than average achievement.

According to federal law, a person is considered homeless who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.” This includes people living in shelters, cars, motels, campgrounds, or places not meant for human habitation, as well as children and youth who are living with friends or relatives temporarily because they lack permanent housing.

Students who have not reached their 21^st birthday by September 1, 2011, and who have completed no more than one year of college are eligible to apply. Applicants may be high school seniors, students enrolled in a GED or other alternative education program, or recent graduates/GED recipients. If you are in high school and not yet enrolled in a post secondary program, the committee will hold your scholarship for you pending your enrollment.

Additional application forms may be downloaded from the NAEHCY web site at http://www.naehcy.org/letendre_app.html.

To receive applications via email or fax, please contact Patricia Popp, NAEHCY LeTendre Chair, at:  757.221.7776 or pxpopp@wm.edu.

How do students apply? Applicants must submit:

1) A completed application form;

2) An essay about the impact of homelessness on the their lives and their desire to attend college (approximately 1,000 words; please see essay evaluation criteria listed below);

3) A school transcript, include class ranking if available; and

4) A minimum of one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or other adult who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and experiences.

This packet must be sent to:

Patricia A. Popp, Ph.D.

The LeTendre Education Fund

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth

9176 Harvey Hollow Drive

Mechanicsville, Virginia 23116

Materials may also be faxed to: 757-221-5300.

What are the criteria for reviewing the applications? Students' applications will be evaluated on: 

1)      Demonstrated commitment to education during the experience of homelessness;

2)      Academic achievement and accomplishments;

3)      Potential impact of the scholarship for the student’s educational career and discussion of how the scholarship money would be used.

4)      Statement of goals and career interests; and

5)      Grammar and use of language.

Applicants essays should address all these criteria. The essay is the most important component of the application; letters of recommendation are also very important.

When is the deadline for the 2011 applications? Submissions will be received by mail or by fax from January 1, 2011 – September 12, 2011. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm EDT on Monday, September 12, 2011. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

QUESTIONS?

The LeTendre Education Fund is dependent on donations for its existence. For more information about the Fund, please contact the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth:

LeTendre Fund, Chair, Patricia Popp: pxpopp@wm.edu                        phone: 757.221.7776