MILWAUKEE

URBAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL ACHIEVERS SOCIETY

High School Seniors Laptop Award Application 2015
Description of Award:
The National Achievers Society and the Laptop Award program acknowledges high school seniors who have
demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to use their talents to serve Milwaukee and the broader
community.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicant must:
be a graduating high school senior in Milwaukee County
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
have at least six (6) months of involvement in school, church, or volunteer activity
be accepted into or applied to a two-year or four-year college, trade or vocational school for Fall 2015 enrollment
not be related to an employee of the Milwaukee Urban League or members of its Scholarship Committee
Selection Criteria:
Preference will be given to applicants who are:
involved in extra-curricular school, church, or volunteer activities
taking Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
currently enrolled in a College readiness program at your school or with another organization
Required Application Materials:
All applicants must provide:
a complete Laptop Award Application form (please type or print legibly in black ink)
an official high school transcript in a sealed envelope
official letter documenting at least six (6) months of participation in school, church and/or volunteer activity
one (or more) letter (s) of recommendation
a typed essay of 150-200 words on a select topic (see page 5)
a resume
Note: Bonus points will be given to applicants who submit supplementary materials such as: copies of
ACT/SAT score sheets, college acceptance letters, award certificates, proof of current or past enrollment in a
college readiness or college prep program(s) or any other materials that may strengthen the application
Recipients Are Expected To:
participate in a Financial Aid/Life Skills workshop at the Milwaukee Urban League prior to the Award ceremony
attend the National Achievers Society ceremony on May 12, 2015 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Deadline:
a complete application with required documents must be submitted by 3:00PM ON FRIDAY APRIL 10, 2015.
This is a competitive award. Only applications that are complete and submitted by the deadline will be reviewed .
Submit All Materials via:

MAIL: Shirley Sharp/Gregory Fanning

Milwaukee Urban League
435 W North Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53212
FAX: (414) 562-8620 OR
EMAIL: ssharp@tmul.org
Call to confirm receipt of application materials and if you have questions:
Shirley Sharp 414-374-5850 ext. 133 or Greg Fanning ext. 130

Application Form
1.

STUDENT INFORMATION
Please type or print clearly. Illegible applications will not be considered.
First Name:
Middle Initial:
Last Name:

2.

Home Address:

3.

Daytime Telephone Number:

4.

Email Address:

5.

DOB: Month______/Day ______/Year_______

6.

Current High School:

School Address:

7.

Cumulative GPA on 4.0 Scale: _______

8.

ACT Score (if any):________________

Proposed Graduation Date:

Grade Level: __
________
SAT Score (if any):________________

9.

Have you applied to a College/University/Vocational School for Fall 2015? Yes: _____
________

10
.

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Alternative Number:

Gender(optional):
Phone:

No:

Have you been accepted to a College/University/Vocational School? Yes: _________ No:

________
If yes, please provide the name of the School you will be attending and your planned major.
School:

Major:

1.

PARENT INFORMATION
Please type or print clearly. Illegible applications will not be considered.
First Name
Middle Initial:
Last Name:

2.

Home Address:

3.

Daytime Telephone Number:

4.

Email Address:

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Alternative Number:

Student Signature: ________________________________________

Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________

Date: ____________
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Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________

Date: ____________

This form and all other required documents must be submitted by 3:00pm on Friday, April 10, 2015

Activities Record
Instructions: Please type or print clearly information in one or more of following categories which applies to
one or more activities that you are currently or recently been involved in during your high school career. For
each activity you list, you must provide an official letter documenting your involvement for at least a period of
six (6) months. For example: if you are currently or have been on the debate team at your school for a period of
eight months, you must provide a letter from the debate team instructor verifying the length of time you were
involved, responsibilities, and accomplishments. The letter must come from a school, church, or community
official or the director/supervisor of an organization where you are engaged in the activity or activities you list.
Activities

Dates
From To

Total Hours
Spent per Month

Responsibilities/Accomplishments

School

Type of activity:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

Church

Type of activity:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

Volunteer Service

Type of activity:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

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I attest that all statements in this record are true and accurate.
Student Full Name: ________________________ Signature: _________________

Date: ______________

Photocopy and attach additional sheets if necessary

Recommendation Form
PART ONE: TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT

Instructions: You must secure at least one (1) recommendation letter which must come from a professional
reference (e.g. High School principal, teacher, guidance counselor, mentor, director of a community
organization, church official, coach, teacher, supervisor or employer) or any other professional who can
endorse your award application and comment on your interpersonal skills (how well you interact with others).
Letter must be provided on letterhead and submitted together with this form. Letter MUST NOT come
from a family member or relative.
First Name: _________________________________ Last Name: ___________________________________
E-mail address: ___________________________________________ Telephone: _______________________
School: ________________ School Address: __________________ School Phone: __________ Grade: ____
Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
PART TWO: TO BE COMPLETED BY PERSON MAKING RECOMMENDATION
(Employer, teacher, mentor, coach, clergy, etc. NOT family member)

Instructions: Please complete and attach this form to your letter of recommendation. Your letter must
specifically comment on applicants interpersonal skills and the reason(s) you are recommending that the
applicant receive the Laptop Award. Letter must be provided on letterhead and submitted along with this
form directly to: Shirley Sharp/Gregory Fanning, Milwaukee Urban League, 435 W North Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
53212 or emailed as a Word document to: ssharp@tmul.org or gfanning@tmul.org.

First Name: ______________________________________ Last Name: _____________________________

Organization: ______________________________________ Title: ___________________________________
E-mail address: ____________________________________ Telephone: ______________________________
In what capacity do you know applicant (i.e., teacher, advisor, employer, etc.)?__________________________
Length of time you have known applicant: Years ______________________ Months ____________________
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Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _________________________________

All recommendation letters must be submitted on official letterhead and attached to this completed form
Failure to do so will result in the disqualification of the students application.

Essay Form
You are required to submit a 12-font, Times New Roman or Arial-typed, double-spaced essay of 150200 words with your name, contact, school information, essay topic and word count stated at the top of
the sheet. See example below of how to format your essay. Essays must not be handwritten.

THIS IS HOW YOUR ESSAY MUST BE FORMATTED

First Name: ___________________________ Last Name: _______________________
E-mail address: _________________________ Telephone: _______________________
School: ________________ School Address: ____________ School Phone: __________ Grade: ____
Essay Topic (in bold)
(Word Count)

Please select ONE of the following essay topics:

1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or dilemma you have faced that
motivated you to attend college.
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. What is your intended profession and what strengths/assets do you have that you feel would contribute
to this profession?
5. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that
has had an influence on you and explain that influence.

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If you have any questions about the essay topics or the required format
Please contact Shirley Sharp at ssharp@tmul.org or Gregory Fanning at gfanning@tmul.org
Phone: 414-374-5850 ext. 133 or 130

APPLICANT CHECKLIST
Does your application contain the following required documents?
a complete Laptop Award Application form signed and dated by you and your parent(s)/guardian (s)
official high school transcript in a sealed envelope.
official letter documenting at least six (6) months of participation in one or more school, church and/or
volunteer activity
one (or more) letter(s) of recommendation
a typed essay of 150-200 words on one of the topics provided and submitted using the required format
a resume in professional format/layout that provides information about your education, skills, work
experience (if any), activities, awards, computer skills, and special interest(s)
Bonus supplementary materials (not required but strongly encouraged):
1. copies of ACT/SAT score sheets
2. college acceptance letter (s)
3. award certificates
4. proof of current or past enrollment in a college readiness /college prep program(s)
5. any other materials that may strengthen the application

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CERTIFICATION OF ALL APPLICANTS

I certify that all information I have provided in the National Achievers Society Laptop Award Application is true
and complete to the best of my knowledge. I give permission to the selection committee to review information
submitted on this form, my transcripts, and additional supporting documentation submitted as part of this
application. I give permission for the selection committee to contact high school and college officials for
additional academic information and/or any other information related to this application if necessary. If selected
to receive an the National Achievers Society Laptop Award I give permission for a publicity release and to share
information contained in my application with appropriate scholarship donors, the Milwaukee Urban League,
and or the National Urban League and its affiliates.
Signature of Scholarship Applicant: __________________________________

Date: __________

Signature of Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s): ___________________________

Date: __________

Signature of Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s): ___________________________

Date: __________

MUL EDUCATION & TRAINING OFFICE USE ONLY:

Staff Signature: _______________ Date Received: _________ Applicant Cumulative GPA: _________
COMMENTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE USE ONLY:
Committee Member Signature: _____________________Date: __________ FINAL Score: ______/100
COMMENTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

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