The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is a prestigious program that offers college scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities to talented minority students in the United States.
Established in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, the foundation aims to honor the legacy of her husband, Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player and civil rights activist. By providing financial support, career guidance, internships, and practical life skills training, the foundation empowers its scholars to excel in college and make a positive impact on their communities.
Eligibility and Benefits
To qualify for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship,
Applicants must be graduating minority high school seniors who are United States citizens.
They must demonstrate a record of academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to community service.
Additionally, they should plan to attend an accredited 4-year college within the United States or an affiliated institution.
Applicants should have not accrued more than 25% of the credits required for graduation.
Selected scholars receive college scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years.
This financial support allows them to pursue their higher education without the burden of excessive student loans. Moreover, scholars have the opportunity to attend the foundation’s annual “Mentoring and Leadership Conference” in New York City, where they can network with professionals, gain valuable insights, and enhance their leadership skills.
Throughout their four-year journey, scholars also benefit from career guidance, internship and job placement assistance, travel opportunities, and practical life skills training.
The Application Process
Applying for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is a straightforward process that requires careful attention to detail. The online application is powered by infosnap, and it consists of several sections: Personal Information, Transcript, Scholastic and Financial Information, and an essay section with four questions.
It is essential to gather all the necessary documents and information before starting the application, including your guidance counselor’s contact information, a PDF copy of your high school transcript, SAT/ACT scores, a detailed listing of your extracurricular activities, and a copy of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Additionally, you will need the name and email address of the person who will provide a letter of recommendation on your behalf, as well as a digital photo in JPEG format.
The four essay questions in the application cover various topics such as Jackie Robinson, leadership, current events, and a personal statement. Each essay has a character limit of 2,500. It is recommended to write the essays in a word processing software and then copy and paste them into the online form.
Application Components and Timeline
The mandatory components of the Jackie Robinson Foundation application include the completed application, a letter of recommendation, ACT or SAT scores, and a professional, high-resolution digital photo (headshots only, in JPEG format). There is no fee associated with applying for the scholarship; however, there may be a fee for submitting your ACT or SAT scores electronically.
To ensure a complete application, all the component parts must be submitted by 5pm Eastern Time on February 1st. Personal recommendations should be submitted online using the schoolrecs.com platform. The system allows you to include background information when requesting a recommendation, helping your recommender personalize their recommendation. It is important to note that mailed, faxed, or emailed applications or letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
After submitting your application, you will receive various email notifications throughout the application process. These notifications will keep you informed about the status of your application, including confirmation of successful submission, completion of the recommendation letter, and the final decision regarding the scholarship. By April 30th 2024, you will be notified of your application’s status, and by June 15th 2024, you will receive the announcement of whether you have been selected as a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar.
Foundation’s Mission and Impact
The Jackie Robinson Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization that aims to perpetuate the memory of Jackie Robinson by advancing higher education among underserved populations. Their mission is to provide generous four-year college scholarships, along with comprehensive support services, to disadvantaged students of color.
By combining financial assistance with tools and opportunities, the foundation ensures the success of its scholars in college and helps them develop their leadership potential. Notably, the foundation has achieved a nearly 100% college graduation rate among its scholars.
Through the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship program, countless lives have been positively impacted. Scholars are required to participate in community service, where they document their projects and gain valuable skills and experiences.
Whether they are founding non-profit organizations, constructing homes in underdeveloped countries, studying the AIDS crisis, or reading to local children, JRF Scholars live by Jackie Robinson’s belief that “a life only holds significance through its influence on other lives.”
Contact Information
For more information about the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship and the application process, you can contact the foundation through the following channels:
New York National Headquarters
One Hudson Square
75 Varick Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013-1917
Tel: (212) 290-8600
Fax: (212) 290-8081
Email: general@jackierobinson.org
Los Angeles Office
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2300
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: (213) 330-7726
Fax: (213) 330-7701
Email (Western Region): jrfwest@jackierobinson.org
Email (Scholarships): scholarships@jackierobinson.org
Witconnect’s Conclusion
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship offers a life-changing opportunity for talented minority students to pursue their higher education dreams. With financial support, mentorship, and leadership development programs, the foundation equips its scholars with the tools they need to succeed in college and make a lasting impact on their communities.
By perpetuating Jackie Robinson’s legacy, the foundation continues to inspire and empower future leaders. If you meet the eligibility criteria, don’t miss the chance to apply for this prestigious scholarship and join the ranks of successful Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars.
His name is Nwali Sunday, the CEO of WITCONNECT.NET.