2015 MINNESOTA KAREN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

ABOUT US
Extending the Link (ETL) is a student-founded and run, non-profit structured, documentary film organization at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Each year, ETL selects an under-reported, global, social justice issue to report on in a documentary film format. After choosing an international location, thorough research and diligent preparation the ETL team spends their January break filming abroad. Upon returning team then works collaboratively with the information, footage, and stories collected – with the goal of ultimately producing a documentary film that inspires action.

By applying each documentary as a vehicle for social change ETL strives to not just create awareness about an international situation, but to empower local organizations to develop sustainable action to address that issue. ETL sees these documentaries as just the first small step towards the increased awareness and inspired action that our world needs.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS
The 2014 ETL documentary focused on Karen refugees in Thailand and Minnesota. In order to Act Locally with this film ETL is excited to offer merit-based scholarships for Karen students who are in pursuit of higher education. Students who are awarded this scholarship will receive a one-time award of $500 to be used towards their education during the 2015-2016 academic year. 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
*Application is open from March 1, 2015—May 15, 2015. The scholarship money will be awarded by the end of September 2015.  

Applicant must meet all of the following criteria:  

• Be a student of Karen ethnicity that is attending school in Minnesota  
• Enroll as a full-time student for the 2015-2016 school year at a two-year or four-year college 
• Complete the scholarship application (including the required essay - details below) and enrollment verification. 
• If selected, submit a picture of themselves and permit the Extending the Link team to publish a brief biography on their website

Please send your essay and information to: 

amcron@csbsju.edu with “Karen Scholarship Application” in the subject line 

Include the following information in the body of the email: 

• Name:
• Home Address: 
• Date of Birth:
• High School:
• GPA:
• Higher education institution that you will be attending in Fall 2015: 
• Extracurricular activities: 
• ESSAY 
  •  In 500 words or less, create a clearly written essay about ONE of the topics listed below. Consideration will be given to both your interaction with the topic and the way in which you present it.
    • Leadership: In what ways have you been a leader? Please tell us about your leadership experiences in high school and your plans to carry on your leadership skills after high school. 
    • Diversity: In what ways are you committed to issues of equality and diversity? What will you do in the future to inspire equality and diversity in the world around you? 
    • Overcoming Adversity: What hardships have you overcome in order to be successful in your life? Please share the ways that you have overcome adversity, and the ways that adversity has shaped your ambitions for the future. 

 Have a question? Email Anna Cron at amcron@csbsju.edu 

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