2020 NEW JERSEY RISING SCHOLARS
VIRTUAL RECOGNITION AWARD PROGRAM

GUIDELINES & APPLICATION

Academic Year: 2020-2021

Application Due Date: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH,  2020

VIRTUAL EVENT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, 2020

VIRTUAL LIVE CHAT DIRECTLY WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS FOR RISING SCHOLARS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2020

The Amistad Commission  is once again coordinating the New Jersey Rising Scholars Award Program that is featured as part of the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) College Fair of New Jersey to celebrate New Jersey Rising Scholars in a virtual recognition program on November 15, 2020 and November 16th, 2020.

 The Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair is the largest HBCU College Fair on the East Coast. During their  historic college recruiting week  throughout New Jersey  they have a proven track record of attendance and college acceptances for more than 12,000 students each year from NJ, NY, PA, DE, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, and VT.

During the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, the  New Jersey Rising Scholar program and the Malcolm Bernard College Fair  will continue VIRTUALLY while continuing our college-readiness educational outreach and practicing health and safety standards for the well being of HBCU representatives, students/families and volunteers.

We are now accepting applications from seniors across the state for the 2020 virtual New Jersey Rising Scholars program.  It is an excellent opportunity for high achieving NJ students interested in attending a HBCU’s to experience a level of personal attention to the admissions process, gaining appropriate guidance, as well as early acceptance and merit based university scholarships.

The New Jersey Rising Scholars Recognition Program recognizes high school seniors graduating in the school year 2020-2021, who are leaders in their school and communities. Moreover, the program acknowledges students from diverse backgrounds, who are interested in attending an HBCU and who have defined career and educational goals.

This year's program will be held in two parts. The virtual  recognition ceremony for New Jersey Rising Scholars will be held on Zoom on Sunday, November 15, 2020 - accepted Rising Scholars are expected to attend virtually.

VIRTUAL LIVE CHAT DIRECTLY WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS FOR RISING SCHOLARS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2020.

Students selected as 2020 NJ Rising Scholars are also eligible to be considered for one of the HBCU Rising Scholars Fund Scholarship. Based on the availability of funds, The Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair, Inc., will award a non-recurring scholarship to a select number of graduating high school seniors who enroll in an HBCU in the fall of 2021 and are in need financial assistance.

Eligibility:
All current high school seniors who are interested in attending any Historically Black College or University
(HBCU) and meet the following criteria:

• Attend a New Jersey public school (including charter schools) or private school or homeschooled;
• Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 or higher
on a 4.5 scale.; and
• If applicable and taken prior to the COVID19 pandemic -  Achieve a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 900 or above (based on 1600 maximum) or 1250 or above (based on 2400 maximum) or ACT score of 20 or above (check specific school requirements for the waiving of their test score requisite due to the COVID19 pandemic)
• Application must be submitted by Wednesday, November 15, 2020.

This year’s virtual fair again features:
• At least 50 HBCU Admissions representatives  so students may explore college options
Expert Speakers and Live Virtual Workshops
Engage with colleges DIRECTLY via  live and chat  in real time
50 HBCU professionals (go to HBCU SEARCH)

SCHOLARSHIPS, APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS and ADMISSIONS AVAILABLE!

Most HBCUs will consider student admissions  immediately  if online applications have been submitted with required documents.

(Some HBCUs may need Transcripts only)

The Rising Scholar award will program will give the  student recipients the power to  virtually schedule with admissions counselors to meet one-on-one with students and parents to talk about their respective colleges and answer questions, and to apply for admissions.
• College application fee waivers to expedite enrollment process
• Real time virtual admissions acceptance for many that have completed applications,  and have official or unofficial  transcripts with GPA and  ACT/SAT(if applicable) test scores, and
• On-line workshops to help educators, students, and parents with the college application process, determine
affordability, negotiate the maze of financial aid application, scholarships and grants, and plan and prepare
for a successful college experience.

If you have any questions regarding the fair or the Rising Scholar application, please contact:

The Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair
(732) 305-7003
www.hbcu-cfnj.com.
Or
Stephanie James Harris, Ph.D. -  Executive Director
The Amistad Commission
amistad@doe.nj.gov and  theamistadcommissionnj@gmail.com

( the Amistad Commission offices are currently remote due to the current COVID19 pandemic- email responses will be answered within 24 hours - we currently have faster access to our gmail account)

Notification of acceptance and  the zoom link for Sunday, November 15th, 2020  will be sent out to all NJ Rising Scholars on Thursday, November 12th, 2020.

For the virtual admission portal please register for the Monday, November 16th, 2020 virtual Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair at:
http://www.hbcu-cfnj.com/events/2020-11-16-new-jersey-virtual-hbcu-college-fair
 

For information on all the nation's historically black colleges and universities please visit:
http://www.hbcu-cfnj.com/hbcu-school-search