Navigating the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide
The Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship, established in 1995 by the University Student Senate of the City University of New York (CUNY USS) and renamed in 2010, recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic and leadership performance under extraordinary circumstances. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship and its requirements, along with information on related scholarships.
Ernesto Malave: A Legacy of Leadership and Service
The Ernesto Malave Scholarship Fund was created in May 2010 in memory of the late Ernesto Malave, Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance of CUNY. Malave, a South Bronx raised Puerto Rican, unexpectedly passed away. His unforgettable presence at CUNY, where he rose from the bottom up to positions of great responsibilities, marked a legacy of leadership, service and loyalty of 30 years. He was unwavering in his commitment of assuring access to higher education to students attending The City University of New York.
In 2005, Mr. Malave was instrumental in making the Annual Comité Noviembre Artisans Fair a reality by providing funding and resources. In 2016, in his honor, Comité Noviembre established the Ernesto Malave Scholarship for the Arts. This scholarship recognizes Puerto Ricans pursing a higher education majoring in the arts. The candidates must be majoring in any of the following artistic disciplines: literature, performing arts, media arts, or visual arts.
Understanding the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship
The Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship, awarded by the USS, aims to support students within the CUNY system who have shown exceptional academic prowess and leadership qualities while overcoming significant challenges. Each campus can nominate four candidates for the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship. USS will award one (1) Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship per campus in the amount of $1,500.00, which will be paid in one disbursement.
General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship, applicants must meet certain criteria related to their enrollment status, academic standing, and other factors. The following requirements generally apply:
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- Matriculation and Attendance: During the current semester in which applicants apply for a scholarship, applicants shall be matriculated students, in active attendance.
- Credit Requirements:
- Undergraduate applicants must be registered for a minimum of six (6) credits and have already completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits and no more than eighty (80) credits at a CUNY college.
- Graduate applicants must be registered for a minimum of three (3) credits and have completed a minimum of six (6) credits at a CUNY college and no more than twenty-four (24) credits total. Students of graduate or professional programs with credits requirements of more than 30 credits must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and no more than 80% of the credits required for a degree.
- Exclusions: Graduating seniors are not eligible.
- Internship Exception: Students who meet the above registration criteria and are fulfilling internship requirements, but are not in active attendance on their campuses, are still eligible.
- All applicants must be permanent residents, citizens, or NYC residents to apply for any USS scholarship (the only exception being international students).
Key Components of the Application
While the specific requirements may vary, the application process typically involves submitting documentation and information that highlights the applicant's qualifications. This usually includes:
- Academic Transcripts: Demonstrating a strong academic record.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation indicating evidence of good character, academic achievement, and/or service to the community.
- Biographical Statement: A short essay (around 200 words) detailing commitment to community service.
- Financial Need Statement: A statement outlining financial need.
The USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarships
In addition to the Ernesto Malave Merit Scholarship, the University Student Senate of the City University of New York (CUNY USS) also offers the Donald & Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship. Established in 2003, it was renamed the USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino International Students and Students with Disabilities Scholarship in 2010. This scholarship recognizes international students and students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances.
USS requests that each campus sends four (4) candidates for each of the Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarships,. USS must award one (1) Passantino Scholarship to an international student and one (1) Passantino Scholarship to a student with a disability, per campus in the amount of $1,000.00 each. One Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Award of $500.00 shall be awarded to a student with a disability and one to an international student.
Eligibility for the Passantino Scholarship
Applicants to the USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino International Students and Students with Disabilities Scholarship must have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.5. International students must be in valid F-1 or J-1 immigration status during the semester in which they are applying for the scholarship, and during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded. International students are required to maintain full-time credit and course-loads.
The Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Awards are for Graduate Center students with a disability and / or international students that have at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants shall also meet the same requirements during the semester which the scholarship is awarded.
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Application Submission
All applications must be received by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue - Room 7301- New York, New York 10016.
Key Considerations for Potential Applicants
Potential applicants should carefully review all scholarship materials and requirements before applying. It is important to ensure that all eligibility criteria are met and that the application is complete and submitted by the deadline.
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