SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

JMB Scholarship

As the nation’s leading minority education assistance organization, UNCF proudly includes the Jack and Jill of America Foundation – Jacqueline Moore Bowles Scholarship Program among the more than 400 programs it administers each year through scholarship and programmatic support. The collective dedication of donors like Jack and Jill helps enable UNCF to assist more than 60,000 deserving students attend college each year.

For students selected to receive the JMB Scholarship, these funds alleviated the stress of piecing together academic costs and allowed the students’ focused energy to be applied towards their academic pursuits. Moreover, earning a scholarship based, in part, upon their hard work and academic accomplishments has served to deepen their self-confidence and bolster their resolve to continue through graduation.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, social and racial injustice issues, and an uncertain economy, the tremendous need for financial assistance is an ongoing challenge for many students and their families. As a result of these challenges, and varying financial obstacles, the number of students who are unable to attend college and graduate is increasing. UNCF is grateful for the multi-year financial commitment from Jack and Jill, helping to ensure bright futures for deserving young women and men who will contribute as competent and conscientious Americans in the workforce and in our society at large.

Award Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship award, applicants were required to meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a US citizen, US national, or permanent US resident.
  2. Be currently classified as a college undergraduate freshman, sophomore, or junior.
  3. Be enrolled full-time as an incoming sophomore, junior, or senior at any accredited 4-year US institution for the 2021-2022 academic year.
  4. Be majoring in Communications.
  5. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  6. Have completed a minimum of 60 hours of active community service between June 2020 – June 2021, as verified through submission of a UNCF Community Service Verification Form affirmed and signed by the applicant’s supervisor.
  7. Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a demonstrated unmet financial need.

Applicants were required to complete an online application at  Program Landing Page (uncf.org) and write a one-page essay discussing how their volunteer experiences influenced their career goals and submit a current academic transcript. 

Selection Process

The 2021-2022 Jack and Jill – Jacqueline Moore Bowles Scholarship Program application opened online on March 17, 2021 and closed on May 12, 2021. The application process yielded 454 applications. Selected recipients were identified in spring 2021 and awarded in fall 2021. UNCF disbursed award funds directly to recipients’ institutions, and institutions credited recipients’ student accounts with their award funds.

The JMB Scholarship is need-based scholarship opportunity, meaning award recipients may be awarded an amount up to their unmet financial need but not to exceed the maximum value of the scholarship award. The maximum value of this scholarship award is $2,500. It is UNCF policy to use the following formula to calculate unmet financial need: 

Unmet Financial Need = Total Cost of Attendance minus Estimated Family Contribution minus Gift Aid

Applicants were scored and ranked on their complete application package (application, essay, and community service verification form). Four (4) applicants from the 454-applicant application pool were selected to receive this award.