The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) in conjunction with Dr Bernard Harris offers the CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship Program to high school seniors interested in STEM Fields of study (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
They believe that education is important for the economic growth and development of any country. Hence they came up with a scholarship program for young coloured students interested in science and engineering amongst underrepresented populations. This scholarship is designed for blacks studying in urban public schools just to support their interest in mathematics, science and engineering.
The scholarship is open to 2024 graduating seniors in urban school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools and is named after former astronaut, physician, and entrepreneur Bernard Harris, a former NASA astronaut who became the first African American to travel to space.
Two African Americans, as well as two Hispanic seniors studying STEM-related professions in university next fall, will receive a $5,000 scholarship award each, divided equally between two males and two girls.
Dr Bernard Harris a renowned role model in Science and Engineering is the main pioneer of this scholarship program. He is a mentor to the scholarship recipients.
Here I will be giving you the details of the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program.
Level/Field of Study
This scholarship is for students that want to study for a bachelor’s degree in Science and Technology or related courses.
Host Nationality
CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program is hosted by the partnership between the Council of the Great City Schools and Bernard Harris in the United States.
Eligibility for the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
If you are from urban school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools, then you are eligible to apply.
You must be accepted for full-time enrollment at a four-year college or university in the next academic year for a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related disciplines.
You should also be a student of a public school in a Council of the Great City Schools district as this scholarship is meant for students that attend or have attended any of these schools. I’ve got the list of schools under the district of Council of Great City Schools here. Students from Toronto are not eligible for this scholarship.
Requirements to Apply for the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
Include your academic achievement in your application. A minimum 3.0 unweighted grade point average is a must for this scholarship.
Evidence of community service and leadership skills in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics is compulsory.
The council wants to see the list of STEM courses that you have taken, two one-page essays, a transcript and have two people recommend you. I advise that at least one of them should be a teacher or professional in Science and Engineering.
How to Apply
Apply for the scholarship on the CGCS Bernard Harris Scholarship Portal. Get your papers ready and apply before the deadline.
Selection Process
The Council of the Great City Schools appoints a committee to review the submitted application. The selection process is by merit but is distributed amongst two males and two females. So try as much as possible to ensure that what you are submitting is the best for your gender.
Winners will be chosen and contacted in June.
Scholarship Award
Four scholarships for two boys and two girls, with a value of $5,000 each, will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic students rounding up their senior year of high school in any member school of the district of the Council of the Great City Schools.
CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program Committee will pay the money directly to the school you, the winner, choose or the school that has given you admission.
Deadline for the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
The scholarship remains open till May 2024. Do not delay because time waits for no one.
Tips to Win the CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
One piece of advice I got for this scholarship is this, ensure your essay is captivating. Yes, it must be one page but do not write something mediocre and expect to beat your peers to it. This scholarship is merit-based so write one that will certainly make yours stand out.
Final Words
Just like CHET Advance Scholarship Program, this is another scholarship program that offers $5,000 to awardees. This is not a scholarship program that you will want to take seriously.