Adoptee Excellence Scholarship
Also-Known-As
Also-Known-As, Inc. is a New York-based national nonprofit adoptee organization that serves international adoptees and their families. Founded in 1996 by Hollee McGinnis, it is the longest-running adoptee-led organization for adoptee services in the United States. The mission of Also-Known-As is to build a community that empowers the voices of adult international adoptees, while providing resources and space to acknowledge the loss of birth country, culture, language, and biological family. Also-Known-As is not a culturally-specific organization.
The Also-Known-As Adoptee Excellence Scholarship is the first scholarship program of its kind that acknowledges, celebrates, and supports outstanding undergraduate students and graduating high school seniors who are international adoptees, born in and adopted from another country to the United States. It is open to international adoptees who demonstrate the attributes of leadership, drive, integrity, and civic engagement. One individual will be awarded a $1,000.00 (one-thousand dollars and zero cents) scholarship to support their full-time study at an accredited institution.
Also-Known-As seeks candidates who have used their adoption story and formative youth experiences to lead, serve, and pursue a life of purpose and significance, both individually and for their communities. An all-adoptee scholarship committee will be responsible for selecting the scholarship recipient.
International adoptees are invited to apply if they are U.S. citizens; age 25 or under; and plan to enroll full-time in 2024 at an accredited college, university or vocational-technical school in the United States. Financial need will be considered. This merit scholarship will be awarded in June 2024.
Eligibility
Applicants of the Also-Known-As Adoptee Excellence Scholarship must:
- be a U.S. citizen and an international adoptee—a U.S. citizen who was born outside of the United States and adopted from another country;
- be a current undergraduate student age 25 or under, or a high school senior who is graduating in the spring or summer of 2024;
- and plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
Award
- The scholarship recipient will receive a one-time award of $1,000.00 (one-thousand dollars and zero cents).
- Awards are only for full-time undergraduate study in the United States.
- The award may only be used for tuition, fees, books and required supplies.
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Academic record
- Essay responses
- Financial need
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Work ethic and contributions to society through job and/or volunteer experience
Notification & Payment of Scholarship
Applicants will be notified via email in June 2024. The scholarship recipient consents via photo consent form to the release of images captured of them, or images under their ownership, to be used for media publication (newsletter, website, social media). Also-Known-As bestows scholarship payment via check.