The Broad Prize for Urban Education is an annual $1 million award that was created by The Broad Foundation to honor urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement, while at the same time reducing achievement gaps across ethnic groups and between high- and low-income students. The cash award funds scholarships for high school seniors in the finalist and winning school districts to attend college or other post-secondary training. The winning district receives $500,000 in scholarships. The four finalist districts each receive $125,000 in scholarships.
Eligibility
To qualify, candidates must:
Graduate from one of the following school districts in 2008: Bridgeport Public Schools (Conn.), Long Beach Unified School District (Calif.), Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Northside Independent School District (Texas) or the New York City Department of Education.
Have a minimum weighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in their senior year.
Enroll full-time at an accredited college, university, community or junior college, or vocational/technical program in the fall of 2008.
Show academic improvement from the 9th grade to the 12th grade as measured by an improved grade point average (GPA) and/or class rank.
Demonstrate financial need.
Be a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident in possession of a valid Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form I-551, commonly known as a "green card").
Program Administration
All phases of the scholarship competition are administered by Scholarship & Recognition Programs (SRP), located in Princeton, NJ.
Selection Criteria
Selection of Broad Scholars will be made based on a student's academic improvement from 9th to 12th grade and demonstrated financial need. This will be measured by improvement in the student's grade point average (GPA) and/or class rank.
Selection Process
The application and selection process is a two-stage process consisting of an initial application and a secondary application.
Initial Application
Click here to download the initial application.
Initial applications will also be provided to high schools in the five eligible districts for distribution through guidance counselors or other school officials. Students who qualify according to the eligibility criteria will be encouraged to complete the initial application.
Students should complete the "Applicant Information" section and sign the "Authorization/Certification." The Broad Prize Scholarship initial application should then be returned to the guidance counselor or school official, who will complete the "School Information" section.
Secondary Application
Approximately 450 semifinalists from across the five eligible districts will be selected based on improved performance from the 9th through 12th grades, as measured by improved grade point average or class rank. Semifinalists will be sent a request for additional information, including letters of recommendation and a financial need survey.
Scholar Selection
An independent Application Review Committee comprised of admissions and financial aid professionals from colleges and universities located in or near the five finalist districts will review the materials submitted by the semifinalists and choose the winners.
Scholar Renewal and Information Update Forms
Students who have received The Broad Prize Scholarship may download renewal and information update forms here.
Click here to download forms.
Privacy
All materials submitted to support an application in The Broad Prize Scholarship Program competition are only used in the selection process. If a student is named a scholarship recipient, his/her folder will remain in active status during the period the scholarship is in force, and for one year thereafter. All records are confidential and are available for reference by SRP and, as appropriate, by The Broad Foundation.
Timeline
Initial applications must be received by January 4, 2008.
Secondary applications are due March 3, 2008.
Broad Prize Scholarships are announced in spring 2008.
