ALKU Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mass Mentoring

Description **Purpose & founder** The ALKU Scholarship is a $30,000 college scholarship established in 2015 by ALKU founder and Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) board member Mark Eldridge. It supports Massachusetts high school students entering their senior year who plan to pursue a four‑year bachelor’s degree. The program aims to remove financial barriers, strengthen mentoring relationships, and expand opportunities for academic and leadership growth. The award is administered jointly by ALKU and MMP and is presented at a signature MMP event. Key takeaways: - $30,000 scholarship founded in 2015 by Mark Eldridge. - Targets Massachusetts rising high school seniors planning four‑year degrees. - Focuses on financial support, mentoring, and leadership development. - Award is administered by ALKU and Mass Mentoring Partnership. Eligibility **Who may apply** Applicants must be enrolled in a Massachusetts high school and be rising seniors (Class of 2027—senior beginning Fall 2026). Candidates must intend to start a four‑year, accredited bachelor’s program in Fall 2027 and have an expected graduation year of 2027. Applicants must be engaged in a quality youth‑adult mentoring relationship of at least one year (mentor cannot be a parent/guardian) and demonstrate leadership and community commitment. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required. Key takeaways: - Must attend a Massachusetts high school and be a rising senior (Class of 2027). - Must plan to enroll in a four‑year accredited bachelor’s degree starting Fall 2027. - Requires a mentoring relationship (≥1 year) with a non‑parent adult mentor. - Minimum GPA: 2.75. Application Requirements **Documents & student responsibility** Students must complete their own applications; mentors may help but not submit on behalf of the applicant. Required materials include one mentor letter of recommendation, one photograph of the applicant with their mentor (not shown to reviewers; may be requested later if selected), and, if selected as a finalist, an official high school transcript to verify GPA. The mentor letter should explain how the student benefits from mentoring, outline educational goals and challenges, and state why the student merits the scholarship. Key takeaways: - Applications must be completed by the student; mentor assistance allowed. - Required: one mentor recommendation letter and a mentor‑applicant photo. - Finalists must provide a transcript to verify GPA. - Mentor letter must describe impact of the mentoring relationship and the student’s goals. Evaluation Criteria **What reviewers look for** Applications are scored using a standardized rubric that emphasizes financial need, college motivation, quality of the mentoring relationship, and demonstrated leadership or work experience outside school. Reviewers assess how clearly applicants articulate their post‑secondary plans and the measurable impact of mentoring on their development. Applicants are encouraged to detail community engagement, employment, internships, and other leadership activities. Key takeaways: - Primary evaluation factors: financial need, college motivation, mentoring impact, and leadership/work experience. - Clear post‑secondary plans strengthen applications. - Demonstrated community involvement and outside‑school experience are weighed heavily. Selection Process & Timeline **How finalists are chosen** Applications are distributed to the ALKU Scholarship Committee after submission and scored by trained committee members using score sheets and rubrics. The top 15 applications (by compiled scores) are discussed as a group; the committee then narrows those to five finalists. MMP’s CEO and ALKU’s Founder review the top five and select the scholar; the final selection for 2026 will be made on October 28, 2026. Committee members receive training from the MMP Program Services Team before scoring. Key takeaways: - Committee uses standardized rubrics and training to score applications. - Process: all applications → top 15 → committee discussion → top 5 → CEO & Founder select final scholar. - 2026 final decision date: October 28, 2026. Award Value & Disbursement **Payment structure & timeline** The total award is $30,000, disbursed in eight equal semester payments of $3,750 over four consecutive years of undergraduate study (Fall 2027 through Spring 2031). Funds must be used for eligible educational expenses—tuition, books, and necessary college materials—and must be spent within the four‑year window. A one‑year extension may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis if circumstances require it. Key takeaways: - Total award: $30,000. - Disbursed as $3,750 per semester for eight semesters. - Use restricted to college‑related costs; funds must be used within Fall 2027–Spring 2031. - One‑year extension possible by request. Post‑Award Requirements **Scholar responsibilities after selection** Awardees must sign an ALKU Scholarship Award Letter and a Media Consent Form (parent/guardian must sign if scholar is under 18). The scholar and their mentor are expected to attend MMP’s Cheers to Mentoring event (November 18, 2026) where the award will be presented. Winners must participate in an annual meeting with previous ALKU scholars and submit yearly college GPA updates; retention of funds requires maintaining a minimum 2.75 college GPA. Key takeaways: - Required forms: award acceptance letter and media consent. - Mandatory event attendance: Cheers to Mentoring on Nov 18, 2026. - Annual scholar meeting and yearly GPA reporting required. - Must maintain a minimum 2.75 college GPA to retain the award. Accessibility & Citizenship Policy **Access and nondiscrimination** The application process is intended to be accessible to all applicants. For accessibility accommodations or any application modifications, applicants should contact Olivia Taylor at otaylor@massmentors.org. There is no citizenship requirement for the scholarship, and citizenship status will not be requested as part of the application. Key takeaways: - Accessibility requests: email otaylor@massmentors.org. - No citizenship requirement; status will not be asked. History of the Award **Origins and goals** Established in 2015 by Mark Eldridge, the ALKU Scholarship was created to expand access to higher education and strengthen mentoring networks that support youth success. The award reflects ALKU’s and MMP’s commitment to building organizational capacity to remove academic, economic, and social barriers for young people. Presentation of the scholarship is part of MMP’s public recognition of mentoring impact. Key takeaways: - Founded in 2015 by Mark Eldridge (ALKU founder, MMP board member). - Designed to remove barriers to college and enhance mentoring impact. - Presented publicly at MMP events to highlight mentoring success.