Applicants
WithinReach Scholarship
ELIGIBILITY
▪ Candidates must have completed coursework at BMCC/CUNY Continuing Education and Workforce Development Literacy Program and received a High School Equivalency Diploma.
▪ Candidates must complete all CUNY or other college admission requirements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
▪ Candidates fill out WithinReach Scholarship Application Form and answer Essay Questions.
▪ Candidates submit a 500-word minimum personal statement.
▪ Candidates submit one teacher reference.
▪ Candidates submit a copy of their FAFSA Award Letter (and TAP Award Letter if applicable) with the application.
▪ Candidates interview with member(s) of the WithinReach selection committee.
Please submit your application to Apply@withinreachfoundation.org by 7/10/2025. Please have your teacher recommendations sent there as well. Applicants will be contacted by 7/18 for interviews. Thank you in advance!
SCORING OF APPLICATIONS
▪ Personal Essay 35% (7 points)
▪ Teacher Reference 15% (3 points)
▪ Interview 50% (10 points)
Total 20 Points.
The FAFSA information will not affect your scholarship eligibility. It is used to determine the final need-based award amount of the scholarship.
SELECTION COMMITTEE PROCESS
▪ Members of the selection committee will be chosen from the field of adult education and/or be members of the WithinReach Board of Directors. Teachers of any of the year’s applicants will never be on the selection committee to ensure there is no bias.
▪ Committee members will interview each candidate.
▪ Each committee member will score each application according to a rubric.
▪ The top scoring applications will be awarded scholarships or stipends as monies allow for that year.
Rules & Requirements
FINANCIAL DETERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
The WithinReach Foundation offers full scholarships for Associate Degrees regardless of immigration status. Students who are able must apply for FAFSA and TAP every year, and submit FAFSA and TAP award letters to WithinReach annually. This will determine the amount of the scholarship. Awardees will submit a tuition bill every semester to WithinReach, and WithinReach will pay the outstanding tuition (minus Pell and TAP.)
▪ Recipients who receive full aid through TAP/Pell/Excelsior will receive a stipend of $500 per semester, up to $1,000 per year, for a total of 3 years as needed.
▪ Pending a short application, recipients in good standing who choose to continue on to a Bachelor’s Degree may continue to receive the $500 stipend per semester for up to three additional years.
▪ Scholarship awardees must enroll Full Time, taking a minimum of 12 credits a semester.
REQUIREMENTS TO CONTINUE RECEIVING THE SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship awardees must enroll Full Time, taking a minimum of 12 credits a semester. They must enroll in both Fall & Spring semesters. (For Stipend Recipients Summer and Winter courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis).
Awardees must maintain a 2.5 GPA and submit copies of academic transcripts if requested.
Awardees must complete their Associates Degree (AA, AS, etc.) within 3 years, or transfer in good standing to a senior college within that time-period.
Bachelor Awardees have up to 3 years total to complete a BA/BS. Bachelor Awardees will receive a $500 stipend for Fall & Spring Semesters.
Recipients are required to respond to payment request forms each semester.
Scholarship recipients are expected to meet with their Board member liaison 1-2x a year. These meetings can be virtual.
If your email, address, or phone number changes, please notify the board so that we can update your contact information.
Awardees MUST communicate effectively and respond in a timely manner to emails from withinreachf@gmail.com and their assigned liaison. Failure to do so may lead to a delay or cessation in funding and standing.