Academic year 2023-2024 is now Closed!

Over the past 18 years the CEF has awarded more than $740,000 to over 650 students. We are building on our success, and are pleased to announce our program for this year.

1. The number of awarded scholarships will be limited to the following:
   • One (1) Platinum level scholarship of $2,000 for the applicant with the top combined scores of essay and GPA.
   • One (1) Gold level scholarship of $1,500 for the applicant with the second top combined scores of essay and GPA.
   • One (1) Silver level scholarship of $1,250 for the applicant with the top GPA score of students in the sophomore, junior and senior classes.
   • One (1) Silver level scholarship of $1,250 for the applicant with the top SAT score of students in the freshman class.
   • Twelve (12) Bronze level scholarships up to $1,000 with the top combined scores of essay and either GPA (for sophomores, junior and seniors) or SAT (for freshmen).
   • One (1) top university scholarship will be $2,500 for the applicant enrolled in one of the top 20 universities in the United States. This will be awarded once per year. If more than one applicant applies in a given year, the applicant with the highest GPA will be awarded. Additional applicants will be assigned to the general pool of regular scholarships.
   
   *** if we obtain more funds we will extend the bronze level awards ***
   
   
2. Mandatory students’ orientation meeting held at the CBA, 383 Oldham Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470, (On Sunday November 12, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST).
3. Deadline for online application is midnight of Monday November 20, 2023.

Purpose

The establishment of an incentive to excel in academic performance and the pursuit of higher education.

Target population

Circassian college students pursuing higher college education.

Eligibility criteria

1. Circassian college students registered, as full-time students, in the academic year 2023-2024 in freshman, sophomore, junior and senior college levels.
2. Enrollment in an accredited college or university in the USA.
3. US citizen or permanent resident. However, international students may be eligible on a case by case basis. The Foundation may award limited scholarships to international Circassian students based upon the discretion of the Board of Directors.
4. Students who receive, in aggregate, full financial aid or a full scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year from sources other than the CEF will be disqualified. The CEF has the right to ask the student to obtain an official letter from the college or university clarifying their financial status.

This year's Scholarship program deadline (midnight of November 20, 2023) will not be extended and no exceptions will be made. The CEF shall not be responsible for any late submissions that result from the malfunctioning of the CEF website, the CEF scholarship portal, or delays resulting from any other technical or procedural difficulties arising in connection with any application, either caused by the CEF, its agents or any third parties.

PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION WITH ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID DISQUALIFICATION.

Procedure

Each applicant is required to do the following:

1. Fill out an online Scholarship application form
2. Submit an online essay of a minimum of 500 words.
   The essay topic must be any one of the following choices:
   
   
   1. The Role of Arts and Creativity in Society: Explore the significance of the arts, creativity, and cultural expression in shaping society, community, and fostering empathy. Discuss your own creative pursuits and their impact on your life and community.
   2. Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Science and Technology: Reflect on the ethical challenges that have recently arisen in fields like biotechnology, genetics, reproductive interventions, information technology and others. Share your perspective on the responsible development and use of emerging technologies
   3. The Power of Resilience: Discuss the importance of resilience in achieving personal and academic goals. In addition to the discussion, reflect on a challenging experience in your life and explain how you overcame problems and difficulties and grew from the experience
   
   

   The essays will be scored blindly by the CEF scholarship essay judges. The scores will be ranked. In addition to receiving higher level scholarships, summaries of the proposed projects of the top essays will be presented at the CEF gala in January 2024. Furthermore, the CEF Board of Directors will give serious consideration to the implementation of the top essays as real projects in the future.

   An essay less than the 500 words will be automatically disqualified from the scholarship and no exceptions will be made.
   
   *** Upon being awarded – students will be required to email a 2x2 digital picture of the student that will be displayed during the gala. ***

3. Mail original documents of test scores from testing organizations (unofficial documents will not be accepted) - Freshman level students must submit official SAT score reports mailed directly from The College Board to the CEF. Sophomore, junior and senior level students must submit official GPA scores mailed directly from the college or university to the CEF (unofficial documents will not be accepted). All official and original documents must be mailed to the Circassian Education Foundation P.O. Box 2276, Wayne, NJ 07470. This requirement applies to all applicants.
4. Submit proof of full-time enrollment in an accredited college or university in the USA for the academic year 2023-2024. Official Transcripts from the university or college must be mailed to the Circassian Education Foundation P.O. Box 2276, Wayne, NJ 07470. Or emailed directly from testing organization to secretary@circassianfoundation.org
5. The number of times students can apply for this scholarship is as follows. County college students (normally a 2-year college) are limited to three (3) years (i.e., three (3) attempts); and four-year college students are limited to five (5) years (i.e., five (5) attempts).
6. Incomplete applications will be ineligible. If all the above items are not met, your application will be incomplete and thus ineligible for a scholarship (i.e., you will not receive a scholarship). EXCEPT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED HEREIN, APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE REVISED, AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PAST THE November 20, 2023 DEADLINE.
7. On Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 12:00 PM EST the CEF will hold a scholarship orientation meeting for all applicants at the CBA (383 Oldham Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470). ALL SUCH APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND; FAILURE TO ATTEND WILL DISQUALIFY STUDENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AND NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE FOR ANY REASON.
8. Each scholarship recipient is required to sell at least 2 admission tickets for the scholarship awards gala. Tickets can be obtained from Board members.

*** Failure to comply with and meet any of the above requirements will disqualify you from receiving a scholarship for this year and no exceptions will be made for any reason. ***

Scholarship Awards Gala

The annual scholarship awards gala will be held at the

At the event, the scholarship awards will be announced. Each winner will receive an acknowledgment certificate from the CEF and a check in the amount of the award. The scholarship award will be payable to the college or university in which the student is registered.

Scholarship winners must attend the scholarship award gala. Failure to participate in the scholarship award gala and ceremony will result in forfeiture of scholarship.

Fund raising

The CEF is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Donations may be tax deductible. Donations of any amount are encouraged.

Timeline

The online scholarship application deadline is November 20, 2023. All applicants must provide all supporting original and official documents (i.e., proof of enrollment, transcripts and SAT score reports) to the CEF's P.O. Box or by hand delivery to one of the Directors no later than November 20, 2023, otherwise you will be disqualified from this year’s scholarship program. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS if you, your college/university or The College Board delivers these documents after the deadline date of November 20, 2023. We strongly suggest that you continually check with your college or university and CEF emails that there are not missing documents for your chances in obtaining a scholarship this year.

NEW ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP THIS YEAR 2023-2024!!!

Research Paper Scholarship

This is a new special additional scholarship for the academic year 2023-2024. The research paper scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to one recipient in addition to the regular scholarship. Applying for this additional scholarship is optional for those applying for the regular scholarship. The application process and deadline are the same as the regular scholarship. The scholarship recipient will be invited to present their research paper at the annual Scholarship Awards Dinner and Gala.

Purpose

The establishment of an additional incentive for critical thinking and advanced engagement in modern life issues.

Target population

Circassian college students pursuing higher college education and applying for the 2023-2024 scholarship program.

Eligibility criteria

1. Circassian college students who applied and satisfied all eligibility criteria for the scholarship program of the academic year 2023-2024.
2. Winning the highest rank of scoring of a research paper by a panel of judges.
3. The final award of this special scholarship is contingent on qualifying and receiving a regular scholarship in the academic year 2023-2024.

Procedure

Each applicant is required to do the following:

1. Fill out an online Scholarship application form
2. Submit an online research paper of a minimum of 2,000 words with proper MLA or Chicago-style citation bibliography on the following topic:

   How has artificial intelligence (AI) influenced our modern life so far? Explain your thoughts regarding some of the positive and negative potential uses of AI in the future.