Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki on March 13 announced that the city’s 2019/2020 college scholarship awards program is now accepting applications from high school seniors who are Wilmington residents. The program will again award $30,000 to college-bound students this year. The application deadline is Friday, May 3, 2019.

The Mayor’s Scholarship Awards Program recognizes the academic achievement of young people from throughout the City. The Mayor’s latest college scholarship program follows up on the success of the City’s second annual Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) College Fair – attended by more than 1,500 students – which saw nearly 700 participants receive college offers. Many of the students were admitted to an HBCU on-the-spot, and of those who were offered college admittance, nearly 250 students received offers of scholarship assistance totaling over $1 million from the participating schools.

“Wilmington is focused on increasing educational opportunities for our young people,” said Mayor Purzycki. “The 2019/2020 scholarship program that is now available, when coupled with the 2019 HBCU College Fair means that many of Wilmington’s most promising young people can continue to excel in the classroom, as well as at home and in their communities.”

To be considered for a Mayoral scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a resident of the City of Wilmington (proof of residency required)
• Be a graduating high school senior and have been accepted to an accredited college or university, either full-time or part-time, for the 2019-20 school year
• Have graduated from high school with an unweighted cumulative 2.5 or greater GPA
• Have a demonstrated commitment to community engagement, volunteerism, and extracurricular involvement
• Possess leadership qualities

Additionally, the competitive selection process requires:

• Completed scholarship application
• Proof of City of Wilmington residency (copy of Driver’s License or State Issued ID)
• Sealed high school transcript (including overall unweighted GPA)
• Completed essay
• Completed FAFSA form
• Copy of college or university acceptance letter
• Three (3) letters of reference, on business letterhead (if applicable), and written by individuals who are not relatives. References should be closely involved with your education or employment. Letters should be sealed in an envelope, addressed to the Office of the Mayor, and should not be opened by the applicant. All reference letters are to remain confidential.

“This program both rewards academic achievement and encourages our students to advance their career goals through higher education, thereby ensuring our young people have every opportunity to become responsible and productive citizens,” said Purzycki.

For more information, please visit: www.WilmingtonDE.gov/mayorscholarship.