Indian American Heritage Foundation
3818 Gleneagles Dr. Tarzana, CA 91356
818 708-3885
**** Application forms are at the end of guidelines
Guidelines for High School Applicants
The annual Heritage Awards will be presented at the Luncheon Banquet honoring award
recipients and sponsors at 11:00 AM, Sunday, April 20, 2014, Long Beach Hilton, 701 W.
Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, 562-983-3400.
The last date for the receipt of completed applications is April 7, 2014
High School Category
There are fifteen scholarship awards -- nine for academic excellence, four for outstanding achievements
and two special awards.
Academic Excellence Awards:
1st $2000, 2nd $1500, 3rd $1000, and 6 of $750 each
First Place Winner will also receive “Profiles in Excellence” Revolving Trophy
Outstanding Achievement Awards:
$600 and a revolving trophy in each of the followings:
1-Sports
2-Math, Science & Technology
3-Visual & Performing Arts, and
4-Community Service
****** An applicant may apply for up to two Outstanding Achievements Awards, but must send a
separate completed application for each category.
Special Awards:
$200/each for Perfect score in Quiz
$200/each for Perfect score in SAT/ACT
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Graduating in year 2014 from High school in Southern California.
2. One or both parents of Asian Indian origin.
3. Received admission to an accredited college/university in the United States.
4. Must be a US citizen or a green card holding immigrant.
5. Grade requirement is C or higher for Outstanding Achievements Awards, and B or higher for
Academic Excellence Awards.
See requirements and conditions on the application forms also.
Grading for scholarship:
30% GPA, 30% SAT, 10% essay or personal statement (sent with application for admission to the
university/college), 15% Extra-curricular activities, and 15% Quiz (based on material on India and Indian
Americans supplied by the Foundation on receipt of completed application).
The “Extra-curricular activities” category is sub divided into five sub categories, each carrying a
weightage of 3%, as follows:
1. Sports
2. Special Hobbies (Dance, Music, Painting, Writing, etc.)
3. Volunteerism & Student Government.
4. Miscellaneous (Honors, Awards and anything not covered under the above sub categories).
5. The difference between weighted and unweighted GPA.
General Conditions:
Completed applications, not acceptable by fax or email, should be sent by mail to:
IAHF, 3818 Gleneagles Dr. Tarzana, CA 91356 with a check for $15.00 for Quiz material.
Quiz shall be given on April 13, 2014. Time and venue will be intimated later.
There will be 30 multiple choice questions. About 15 questions will be on the material on India while remaining
questions will be on the material on Indians in America, such as Congressman Saund, etc.
If there is a tie between the two applicants for the award, the cash award will be equally shared. The
trophy winner’s name will be engraved on the trophy which the winner will keep in his/her home for
about a year. If the award is shared and trophy is won, will bear both the names and shared.
Winners will be informed by April 15, 2014.
One winner from a family will be admitted free when accompanied by both parents or one parent
and another adult, both paying regular admission fee for the event. When only one parent
accompanies the winner, both (parent and the winner) pay regular admission charges.
Payment at site: $50/per person; $40/per student or $25 for seniors over 60;
In advance: $40/per person; $30/per student or $25 for seniors over 60.
Prior purchase of admission tickets is strongly recommended for preferential seating.
The winners will be called on the stage one by one to receive the award.
A winner will be bypassed if he/she is not present or is not accompanied by at least one parent at
the event.
If there is a question, please send an email to: awards.middlehigh@gmail.com or call 818-708-3885.
Additional instructions for applicants:
Essay/Personal Statement (Not to exceed 500 words)
From your essay, our judges will learn about important decisions you’ve made, lessons you’ve learnt,
family traditions you’ve experienced, challenges you’ve faced, and your sense of humor. They may know
you, beyond your grades, SAT/ACT score and awards.
Extracurricular Activities
Several of the applicants are very involved, dedicating time to various activities outside the classroom
and/or devoting time for achieving excellence in their studies. They display passion for, commitment to,
and leadership in their activities.
Evaluations
We need two letters from every applicant; one letter should be from your guidance counselor which
should help us gauge your performance in your high school environment and another from your high
school teacher which will help us know your performance in class as well as your character and
personality. These two letters will be grouped with your essay or personal statement.
Be sure to fill out a simple survey question at the bottom of the application!
Indian American Heritage Foundation
3818 Gleneagles Dr. Tarzana, CA 91356
818 708-3885
India Heritage Award For High School Graduates
Application Form for General and Academic Award
Requirements: An applicant must have a GPA of B or higher, should be graduating from a Southern California
high school in the year the scholarship is applied for and have at least one parent of Asian Indian descent .
Name of Applicant ___________________________________________________ U.S. Citizen or Immigrant
(Last, First, Middle)
Circle whichever applies
Street Address _____________________________________________________________
City
_______________________________State CA Zip ______ Email: ____________________
Parents’ Name ___________________________ ___________________________
Telephone H (____) _______-_________
Profession
B (____) ______-__________ E-mail:_____________________
_______________________________________________________________
High School Academic GPA: Unweighted ________/_____ Weighted ________/_____
(While calculating weighted/unweighted GPA, include classes taken during 10 th-11th and first semester of 12th grade)
SAT _______/2400, ACT _______/
or Any other Standardized Test Score ______/____
Extra Curricular Activities: Use separate sheet to list your achievements under the following:
1. Sports
2. Special Hobbies (Dance, Music, Painting, Writing, etc.)
3. Volunteerism & Student Government.
4. Miscellaneous (Honors, Awards and anything not covered under the above sub categories).
5. The difference between weighted and unweighted GPA.
Name of High School graduating from _______________________________________________
Name of College/University planning to attend _________________________________________
Send copies of high school transcripts and SAT/ACT score certificate. Documents, if any, in support of
extracurricular activities will ensure proper credit.
 Grading for scholarship: 30% GPA, 30% SAT, 10% Essay, 15% Extra-curricular activities, and 15% Quiz.
 The applicant will take Quiz test. Quiz material about India and Indian Americans will be sent on receipt of
application and a check for $15.00.
 The winner must be present along with his/her parent(s) to receive the scholarship.
 An applicant will be admitted free, if accompanied by two adults (one must be a parent) paying regular
admission charges for the event.
We certify that statements made in the application are true, correct and complete and are made in good faith. We
pledge to contribute funds equivalent to the scholarship received or more on applicant’s finishing education and on
his/her joining the workforce to support the continuity of the annual Awards program.
We also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Indian American Heritage Foundation and its officers, agents or
volunteers from any liability or claim or action for damages resulting from or any way arising out of the
participation in this program. We agree to allow usage of photographs and videos of participants, parents,
volunteers, in any form for the purpose of promoting the culture and education.
How did you learn about our Heritage Awards function? Please check a box below:
Relative/Friend
School Counselor
India West
India Journal
Other (Explain)________
Signature of Applicant __________________________ Parent __________________________Date _________