Puente Program Scholarship Application
Purpose of Awards:
The purpose of Puente scholarships/awards is to recognize and encourage academic and personal
excellence in Puente students. Applicants are expected to show evidence of commitment to the Puente
mission and adhere to program guidelines.
Puente Mission:
To increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and
universities, earn degrees and return to the community as leaders and mentors of future generations.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Students
Students
Students
Students
must be currently enrolled in at least 10 units
must be in good academic standing
must be currently involved in the Puente Program
can only apply for one scholarship each semester
Application Requirements:
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Completed applications are due by 5pm on May 29th.
All corresponding documents must be complete at the time of submission (see page 6).
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered by the committee.
Applicants must be/have been participants in the Puente Program between 2008 and 2014.
Screening Committee:
Four committees will be established to review applications. Each scholarship category will be
assigned to a separate committee. Committee members will score each applicant according to a
rubric that rates, application completeness, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and
overall presentation.
5/1/15
1
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Scholarship Criteria:
Scholarships will be awarded and must be accepted at the end of the spring semester at the
Recognition Dinner. Please type an essay that addresses the following questions/prompts in no more
than 2 pages.
(2) Pursuit of Excellence Award - $500 each
Deadline – May 29th, 2015
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Applicant must submit a copy of a letter of acceptance from a four-year college or university.
Applicant must possess at least a 3.0 GPA cumulatively.
Please discuss your academic and career goals within the next 10 years. What do you hope to
accomplish in the short and long term?
(2) Leadership Award - $250 each
Deadline –May 29th, 2015
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Applicant must be actively participating in a campus or community club/organization.
Applicant must possess at least a 2.5 GPA cumulatively.
Please describe your extracurricular involvement. What activities (academic, athletic, cultural,
community-related, job-related, etc.) do you participate in that most build and reflect your
traits as a leader?
(1) Spirit of Puente Award - $300 each
Deadline – May 29th, 2015
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Applicant must be a first-year student in the program.
Applicant must possess at least a 2.0 GPA cumulatively.
Please discuss your involvement in Puente. What specific experiences have you had this
school year that has contributed to your growth and development?
(2) Humanitarian Award - 200 each
Deadline –May 29th, 2015
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Applicant must have completed at least 40 documented hours of volunteer service.
Please describe your community involvement. How have you benefited from your experience?
How has your involvement made a difference in your community?
5/1/15
2
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Name: _________________________________
Student ID#: _________________
Semester/Year you joined Puente: ______/_____ Contact #:_____________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________________
Scholarship Award you are applying for: ______________________________________
Associate Degree Major(s):_________________________________________________
Transfer Major(s):________________________________________________________
Career Goal: ___________________________________________________________
Please list any extracurricular activities or employment you are currently involved in:
Activity/Job
5/1/15
Hours per week
3
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Program Involvement
Please indicate which activities you have participated in this school year:
Community Service:
Cultural/Personal Development:
____ Make a Difference Day
____ Women’s History Month Conference
____ Youth Service Day
____ Denim Day Conference
Transfer Preparation:
Academic/Professional Development:
____ CSU, Dominguez Hills
____ Counseling
____ FIDM College Tour
____ Success/Wellness Workshops
____ Motivational Conference
____ Career Networking Night
____ Northern California College Tour
____ Professional Speaker Series
____ UCLA Transfer Conference
Application Checklist:
Please return the following documents to a Puente Coordinator by 5pm, May 29th:
____ Application Essay
____ Progress Report
____ One - Two Completed Recommendation Forms
____ Educational Plan
____ Unofficial Transcript(s)
5/1/15
4
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Progress Report:
Please have each instructor complete this form for each class you are enrolled in for the
current term. It is understood that grades are approximate prior to the end of the term.
Progress reports must be submitted with completed application.
__________________________________________
Student Name
Course Title
5/1/15
Section #
Grade
5
__________________
Student ID #
Instructor Signature
Date
Puente Program Scholarship Application
References:
Please ask two people to complete the attached recommendation forms. The following individuals
would be appropriate choices:
A current employer or supervisor (or most current)
A high school or Victor Valley College faculty or staff member
A volunteer supervisor
A pastor/chaplain/priest
A mentor
Please be sure to keep the following in mind:
None of these individuals should be students at Victor Valley College or family members.
At least one of these references must have known you for at least six months.
Give references enough time to complete the form and follow up with each individual.
5/1/15
6
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Recommendation Form: You are being asked to evaluate this applicant who is a candidate for a
scholarship from the Victor Valley College Puente Program. We appreciate your honest feedback.
Name of Reference #1____________________________________________________
Contact #: _____________________ Email Address:___________________________
How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________
What are the first words that come to mind to describe the applicant?
How would you describe the applicant’s commitment to their academic and career goals?
Please describe the applicant’s strengths:
Please discuss the applicant’s potential for future success:
5/1/15
7
Puente Program Scholarship Application
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being poor and 5 being excellent), please rate the applicant on
these qualities.
5/1/15
 Leadership
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Initiative
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Dependability
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Communication Skills
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Ability to work with others
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Trustworthiness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Problem Solving
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Time Management
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Organization
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Self-discipline
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Patience
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Assertiveness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Flexibility
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Self-awareness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
8
Puente Program Scholarship Application
Recommendation Form: You are being asked to evaluate this applicant who is a candidate for a
scholarship from the Victor Valley College Puente Program. We appreciate your honest feedback.
Name of Reference #2____________________________________________________
Contact #: _____________________ Email Address:___________________________
How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________
What are the first words that come to mind to describe the applicant?
How would you describe the applicant’s commitment to their academic and career goals?
Please describe the applicant’s strengths:
Please discuss the applicant’s potential for future success:
5/1/15
9
Puente Program Scholarship Application
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being poor and 5 being excellent), please rate the applicant on
these qualities.
5/1/15
 Leadership
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Initiative
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Dependability
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Communication Skills
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Ability to work with others
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Trustworthiness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Problem Solving
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Time Management
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Organization
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Self-discipline
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Patience
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Assertiveness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Flexibility
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
 Self-awareness
1
2
3
4
5
No Basis to Judge
10