Shaunte L. Allen

To apply, you must meet the following:

• Be a Texas resident aged 40 or above (show proof of Texas Driver’s License or Texas Identification card).

• Household income must be less than $40,000 per year.

• Must not have previously earned a college degree.

• Must be seeking to improve your reading, writing, or speaking skills.

• One letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your literacy goals and efforts to improve (e.g., a case worker, social worker, mentor, librarian, religious leader, supervisor, or community leader).

• Current library card.

• Proof of Texas residency and age (e.g., scan/photocopy of a driver’s license or identification card)

• Proof of income (e.g., scan/photocopy of tax returns, pay stubs, benefit letters, or bank statements)

• One letter of recommendation

• Scan/photocopy of your current library card

• Personal Statement Video

• Personal Essay

1. Complete the Online Application - Fill out the online application form. A checklist is available to guide you through what you need to include.

2. Provide Supporting Documentation - Submit proof of income, residency, age, your library card, and your letter of recommendation.

3. Create a Personal Statement Video - Record a video (up to 3 minutes) on your phone or laptop. Please follow these tips for your video: No professional or edited video is needed. Just speak from your heart. It's okay if your English isn't perfect – we want to hear your story. In your video, please start by saying your name and what you want to achieve with the scholarship. Explain how improving your English literacy skills will help your family and community. End by saying thank you for considering your application. (If you are unable to create a video, a written response may be submitted as an alternative.)

4. Complete the Essay Prompt - To better understand the impact your local library plays in your life, please explain one significant way your library has contributed to your learning or personal growth, or how you plan to use its resources for your personal development.

5. Submit the Completed Application - Make sure all required materials are submitted by the September 12th deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed based on the following:

• Need and Motivation: Demonstrated financial need and motivation to improve.

• English literacy skills and further education.

• Quality of Personal Statement: How clearly you answer the personal statement questions.

• Letter of Recommendation: Does the letter demonstrate your commitment to improving your English and achieving your educational goals?

• Feasibility of Educational Goals: Do your goals fit with the scholarship’s mission to improve English literacy and help you advance in the workforce?

• Applications will be scored fairly using a clear, consistent system.

Deadline: You must formally accept the scholarship within 4 weeks of being notified (by November 8th). Accepting the award will involve signing an agreement about how the scholarship money will be used.

Award Payment: Payments will be made by electronic transfer or check between October 25th - November 24th.

Progress Monitoring: We will monitor your progress to ensure the effective use of funds.

Additional Resources: We will provide support and connect you with other community resources to help you succeed.