Scholarship Application

Scholarship Recipient Criteria

• Personality traits similar to Stephanie: strong work ethic, dedication to schoolwork and sports, always cordial and polite to others, puts others ahead of self, and desire for completion and success.

• High school Senior student with minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) and proven plans to attend four-year college.

• Completion of short essay incorporating the following: stating what adversities or hardships the applicant has encountered and what the applicant has done to transcend the hardship. Also, how he/she/they would be enlightened by Stephanie’s spirit. Give one example of a time when you put others before yourself.

• Include at least one letter of recommendation.

How it works

• Two or more scholarships will be awarded for $3000 each, subject to available funds.

• Scholarship recipients will be selected after applications are reviewed by Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund (SJMF) board members, according which applicants best meet the criteria listed.

• If more applicants than available awards meet the selection criteria, applicants may be required to interview, and will be notified as such.

• Awarded monies must be used for college/university tuition or incidentals.

• Scholarships will be awarded directly to the recipient, in person at the award ceremony, to be held on May 11, 2024, in the western suburbs of Chicago (specific time and location to be announced). Scholarship recipients should plan to attend and are welcome to bring two guests each.

• All submitted applications are kept in strict confidence and reviewed solely by SJMF board members.

• Recipients may be asked, but not required, to attend a fundraising event in Stephanie's honor.

• Family members of the SJMF board are not eligible to apply.

Submission checklist

Your completed application will consist of the following, in paper form:

1. Application form.
2. One or more letters of recommendation, which speak to your fulfillment of the selection criteria.
3. Essay, 1000 words maximum:
   • Part 1: State what adversities or hardships you have encountered and what you have done to transcend the hardship. Include how Stephanie's spirit would enlighten you.
   • Part 2: Give one example of a time when you have put others before yourself.
   • Part 3, optional: Provide any additional information about yourself that you would like the SJMF board to consider.

Please mail your completed application and essay to:

Stephanie Joseph Memorial Fund
Attn: Scholarships
3 South 555 Winfield Rd
Warrenville, IL 60555

Applications must have been postmarked by February 29, 2024. Should you have questions, please email [email protected].