ISB College Scholarship Program

ISB College
Scholarship Program

Overview

ISB launched a new scholarship for graduating high-school seniors, in response to the lack of private scholarships for American Muslim college students. In its pilot year, 2022, the program funded 8 graduating high school seniors in their undergraduate education. We are seeking generous donors willing to help build an endowment for this program to allow us to continue the program. We accept both appreciated stock as well as cash gifts.

The purpose is to reward deserving students in the greater Boston Muslim community to encourage further higher education and to grow their understanding of Muslim cultures, history, and Islam. There are few scholarship options from Muslim organizations, which have become a significant source of funding for college. Seventy percent of families rely upon scholarships and financial aid for college expenses.

Education is a key tenet of the mission and charter of the ISB. We hope this scholarship program will deepen the connections American Muslims have with the richness, diversity and powerful relevance of our Ummah’s history, scholarship and contributions to world society, especially at a time when they will be away from home, their familiar Islamic centers and support group, and expanding their education.

We also hope this encourages other Islamic centers and Muslim organizations to do the same, while enhancing the educational offerings available from colleges and universities in the areas of Islam and Muslim culture, history, and the langauges of the Muslim world.

Who should apply:

Applicants should be an incoming college freshman/current high school senior. Applicants must be able to show proven financial need. Applications should be residents of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, in good academic standing, enrolling in an accredited, not-for-profit four-year institution. Immediate relatives of current Board or Selection Committee members are excluded from consideration.

How to Apply

If you have any questions, please contact scholarship@isbcc.org. Applications should be submitted via email to scholarship@isbcc.org by the Application Deadline.

Deadlines

We are not currently accepting applicationsbut are seeking donors who can help us continue the program. Please contact our office or include Scholarship in the notes when making a donation.

Award Amount

• Two one-time awards of $5,000 (one for a male and another for a female student)
• Two one-time awards of $4,000
• Two one-time awards for $2,500
• Two one-time awards for $1,000

Expectations

ISB hopes that the student would use the scholarship to take a class in Islamic history, art, architecture, the Arabic language, or Islamic law to deepen their connection with the Ummah and the rich tradition of Islam, Muslim cultures worldwide and the Islamic world. We also expect that the award recipient returns to ISB during or after their higher education, to speak to youth, give a talk, or help contribute to a program within the centers.

Application

Please submit the following documents via email (or mail as requested):

• Original essay
• Resume/CV
• List of significant extracurricular activities and what accomplishments for each that you are most proud of (250 words or less)
• Submit FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) as a financial information summary

Please submit the following documents via mail:

• Official high school transcript
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach (in a sealed envelope signed by the recommender) to

ISB Scholarship Program
100 Malcolm X Blvd
Roxbury MA 02120

Essay

Please write one essay, 500 words or less from one of the following choices

Essay Question Options

1. Describe a facet of your identity, background or story that is essential to who you are.
2. Write about a time that you failed at something. How did that failure affect you?
3. Describe the role of a Muslim in American society.
4. Write about a problem that you have or want to solve. It can be as big or as small as you can think of!
5. Write about a moment that illustrated your shift from child to adult within your community or family.
6. What does it mean for a Muslim to be part of the Ummah?