SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship is awarded to a self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender student-athlete who has made a contribution to the sport(s) he or she is a part of and, as a result of his or her contributions and involvement, has enhanced the perception of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Awards are made to graduating high school seniors in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who will be attending a fully accredited two or four year college/university in the United States.  Candidates should demonstrate dedication to both academic and athletic excellence, as well as show promise of serving as a positive role model as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individual.

The Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship will provide a minimum of $2,000 of financial support to offset the cost of educational expenses including, but not limited to, tuition, housing, room and board or books. A minimum of one scholarship will be awarded annually in July of each year.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration by the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship Selection Committee:

1. Applicant must reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This includes the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County (MD), Montgomery County (MD), Calvert County (MD), Arlington County (VA), City of Alexandria (VA), Fairfax County (VA), and Prince William County (VA).
   
   
2. Applicant must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.  (Note: Team DC is aware of potential issues around self-disclosure and respects the privacy of all applicants.  Applicants do not have to be public in their self-disclosure, but they must self-identify as LGBT in order to be considered for this scholarship.)  
   
   
3. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or current college student and have demonstrated academic success.
   
   
4. Applicant must demonstrate active involvement/participation in interscholastic athletics or a competitive sport (club sport, recreation league, etc.). Sports include, but are not limited to, baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading/competitive cheer, crew, cross country, fencing, figure skating, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, sailing, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, or wrestling.  Activity in other sports can be considered.  (NOTE: Applicants receiving other athletic scholarships must adhere to all NCAA rules concerning eligibility and reporting requirements.)
   
   
5. Applicant must supply an official copy of their most recent transcript from high school or college.
   
   
6. Applicant must intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at a fully accredited two or four year college/university no later than fall 2012.
   
   
7. If applicant is a high school student, they must supply a copy of the acceptance letter for his or her chosen college/university. (NOTE: If acceptance letter is not available before the application deadline, submit the application and indicate you are still waiting for the letter.)
   
   
8. Applicant must submit a personal essay (maximum 1,500 words) outlining the impact of how his/her sexual orientation or gender identity has had on their participation/involvement in a sport and the ways in which this involvement has enhanced the perception of the LGBT community (e.g., reduced homophobia and increased awareness and tolerance of LGBT people). The essay should also address the applicant’s future goals and aspirations.
   
   
9. Applicant must submit two (2) letters of support from individuals who are qualified to address the candidate’s suitability for this award.
   
   
10. Financial need may be considered in situations where the students are equally qualified. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to assist this process. The SAR is a summary of the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
    
    
11. Applicant may not be related to any member or to the domestic partner of any member of the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship Selection Committee and/or Team DC Executive Committee and staff.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Qualified individuals wishing to be considered for the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship must submit a completed application online including all required supporting documents.  If an application or any supporting documents cannot be submitted online, they can be mailed to:

Team DC
Attn: Student-Athlete Scholarship Award Committee
2910 Sycamore Street
Alexandria, Virginia   22305

Application must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2012.  All applicants will be notified once an application is received.  Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS CHECK-LIST

An application will be considered valid and complete when the following materials are included:

[ ] Completed and signed application form
[ ] Official/sealed copy of high school transcript
[ ] Copy of college/university acceptance letter
[ ] Letter of support from _____________________________
[ ] Letter of support from _____________________________
[ ] Personal essay
[ ] Copy of Student Aid Report (optional)

AWARD NOTIFICATION AND PAYMENT

The scholarship recipient will be notified in writing no later than July 30, 2012. Scholarship payment will be made in one installment by October 1, 2012 upon receipt of official notification of enrollment/registration for classes. Team DC reserves the right to make payment directly to the college or university on behalf of the recipient.

RECIPIENT’S OBLIGATION

Acceptance of the award constitutes permission for Team DC to use the recipient’s name in recognition as a recipient of the scholarship in the organization’s publications and announcements.  (Note: Team DC is aware of potential issues around self-disclosure and respects the privacy of all applicants when necessary.)

Furthermore, recipient agrees to provide official documentation indicating full-time enrollment at the college or university of his or her choice before payment will be made.  Failure to supply documentation as a registered, degree seeking student will result in revocation of the full amount of the award.

ABOUT TEAM DC

Team DC is a charitable organization established to educate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) community on the benefits of individual and team sports participation. Team DC works within the boarder community to dispel discrimination against LGBT people participating in sports; endows and confers scholarships upon LGBT student-athletes; provides a network of sporting outlets for the LGBT community of the Washington Metropolitan area; and promotes participation in local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competitions. Team DC is a member of the General Assembly of the Federation of Gay Games.

CONTACT US

Questions regarding the scholarship can be directed to us via e-mail at scholarship@teamdc.org.