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Africa Education Project “Lack of an education is more costly than an education.” |
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Annie L. Jeter (ALJ) Scholarship
The Annie L. Jeter (ALJ) scholarship is designed to support the educational pursuits of motivated and talented students from African countries who cannot afford the cost of their education. The program is more than a scholarship program. It is a youth development program that includes mentorship and group activities throughout the year. History of the ALJ Scholarship The ALJ Scholarship Program was formally established in 2003 in Kenya and had its first scholars’ class in 2004. There were 6 ALJ scholars in 2004. The program expanded to Uganda in 2005 with a total of 6 ALJ scholars in two countries. There are currently 13 ALJ scholars total in Kenya and Uganda. Expansion of the program into other African nations is planned as funding allows. Our scholarship is named in honor of Annie L. Jeter. Annie was born in Atlanta, GA, USA, on June 19, 1926. One of her dreams has been to grant young people an opportunity to pursue their dreams. In 2006, she celebrates her 80th birthday. She still lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and continues to be a strong supporter of the education of disadvantaged youth. Eligibility and Eligible Funding Activities Eligible applicants for these scholarships are students who are citizens of an African country. The ALJ scholarship may be applied to any educational pursuit as long as the applicant justifies its validity to the Selection Committee. ALJ scholarships may be used for, but is not limited to, the following areas:
Past school fee balances are not paid by AEP. The scholar is responsible for clearing this balance. AEP will work with the school and student to ensure that the student is not sent home due to a past school fee balance. The ALJ scholarship is renewable based on satisfactory academic performance, school attendance and participation in AEP group activities. Scholars are required to submit a returning scholar's application form every year for continued funding. Program Requirements ALJ scholars are expected to participate in quarterly group academic and social activities. The social activities are very popular with the scholars. Past activities have included going to the movies, hiking Mt. Longonot, and training workshops. All activities are fully-funded by AEP and are at no cost to the scholars. Students are also required to sign a scholar’s contract that pledges them to the following: 1) Maintain high standards of academic performance to the best of their ability. AEP scholars are expected to maintain at least a C average. 2) Keep an exemplary attendance record at school. Excessive absences are defined as more than 4 absences per term. 3) Attend all AEP organized activities and meetings (usually three group activities a year and three academic meetings per year). 4) Ensure that AEP receives a copy of grades at the end of each term. As long as the scholar meets the terms of the contract, AEP pledges to fund the student’s education until the student graduates from secondary school. If the scholar does not meet the terms of the contract, the scholarship funding will be terminated. AEP presently does not fund university education. Fee Payment School fees are paid quarterly given that the student has met the terms of the scholar’s contract as described above. No funds are ever given directly to the student. Funds are disbursed directly to the scholar’s educational institution on a term-by-term basis given the scholar’s maintenance of acceptable grades, attendance and participation in AEP activities as agreed to in the AEP scholar’s contract. The Selection Process Applications are usually due in September or October (The 2006 deadline is September 15). Late and incomplete applications are never accepted and are immediately disqualified. After applications are submitted, the Selection Committee reviews them and ranks them based on several criteria. Top applicants are invited to interview with the Selection Committee and the most qualified of the applicants receive the requested funding. Awardees are selected on the basis of their academic potential, leadership, essays as well as their financial neediness. Decisions are usually announced in December. The decision of the Selection Committee is final. The Application Form The 2007 ALJ Scholarship Application is available and the deadline is September 15, 2006. Completed scholarship applications should be either mailed to the Africa Education Project-Kenya, P.O. Box 56601, City Square 00200, Nairobi, Kenya, or dropped at the AEP-Kenya Office located at Sunrise Estate, Phase V (Next to Greenfield Estate), Number 384. A complete application consists of:
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