SEAL OF BILITERACY SCHOLARSHIP

Tell your colleagues! Encourage eligible students to apply for this $3,000 scholarship!

The Praxedes León Parent Award for $500 is given to the parents of the Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship winners

Questions? Contact Michelle Land at past-president@njtesol-njbe.org

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Current or former ESL/bilingual student who received the N.J. Seal of Biliteracy in 2024 OR who will receive it in 2025
2. Graduating NJ high school senior who received bilingual and/or ESL instruction in New Jersey at any time in the past 6 years
3. Referring teacher MUST be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc.

DEADLINE:

All sections of the award applications must be received on or before March 15, 2025.
No incomplete or late applications will be considered.

WRITING:

(to be entered into the form below.)
The Biographical Statement must be clearly written by the student applicant in 150 words or less and copied and pasted into the form below.
You may talk about your answer with other people, but you must write and edit it by yourself.
“Why do you think you should receive this scholarship? Explain and give reasons to support your answer.”

The Writing Theme may be discussed with peers and teachers during the pre-writing stage, but the writing and editing must be yours exclusively. The selection committee will evaluate your essay based on the message and the unique form in which YOU say it because it contains your true feelings and thoughts. Those students who apply for more than one scholarship must submit essays answering the prompt for each application.
Topic: In 500 words or less, (in English) “What are three reasons why you pursued the Seal of Biliteracy?” (Give an example or two of how this has helped you or your family.)

Please note that if an essay seems to be edited by someone other than the student, the application will be rejected. All submissions will be reviewed for plagiarism and AI such as Chat GPT and must be authentic, original writing in the student’s own English.

DOCUMENTS:

To be typed, scanned, or photographed to upload to the end of the form.

1. Biliteracy Certification and Permission Form – to be signed by the applicant, teacher, and parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18.
2. Current N.J. high school transcript with ESL and/or Bilingual classes highlighted
3. Teacher’s Recommendation on a document to upload – Include:
   Student’s Name, School
   Teacher’s Name, Title, Cell Phone Number, and Email
   The reasons you would recommend your student for this award.
   (The recommending teacher must be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE.)

Note! Applications may be started and saved, and an email will be sent to the applicant and/or instructor with the resume link.
Do not press submit until you have finished filling out the entire form and uploading all of the documents.