Austin Area Heritage Council is proud to continue the academic legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr by awarding scholarships to Austin area high school seniors. Our sponsors represent organizations that are committed to carrying out the dream of Dr. King.
The AAHC and corporate sponsors, in partnership, will ensure that each year’s class of YLA scholarship recipients is culturally, economically, and academically diverse.
The MLK Youth Scholarship Awards were created to recognize youth in the Austin community for their outstanding commitment and achievement, as well as inspire the next generation.
We are excited to have these Award Sponsors:
- Applied Materials Foundation Awards (Five $1,500 scholarships)
- Ascension Seton Awards ( Three $2000 scholarships)
- Coca-Cola Awards ( Five $1000 scholarships)
- Wells Fargo Entrepreneurship Awards (Three $2,500 scholarships)
- Recognize Good Award (One $1,000 scholarship)
The Deadline for the Wells Fargo Entrepreneurship Awards has been extended to January 9th
December 16th was the deadline for nominations for all other awards
Please email any questions or concerns to [email protected]
These awards are open to all students regardless of race or ethnicity. Nominees from all backgrounds are welcomed and strongly encouraged. Our purpose for this award is to recognize youth “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Nominees must be a senior in high school and no older than nineteen (19) on January 1, 2024. Nominated youth must also reside in the Greater Austin metropolitan area.
The MLK Youth Scholarship Awards will be presented at the MLK Youth Scholarship Awards scheduled for 3pm-5pm, Saturday, January 13th.
All of the nominees are invited to take part in the MLK Community Activities on Monday, January 15, 2024.
This application may be located on the website mlkcelebration.com and distributed to colleagues and friends.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
- Nominees for the MLK Youth Scholarship Awards must be a senior in high school and no older than nineteen (19) on January 1, 2024.
- Persons may be nominated in only one category, per scholarship program, per sponsor.
- Nominees should not apply for all Applied Materials Foundation, Coca-Cola and Ascension Seton awards.
- Nominees must be from the greater Austin area.
- Nominations must be submitted online no later than December 16, 2023.
- Submit transcript or most recent report card with application.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
JUDGING GUIDELINES
- Judges will make decisions based on the information on the application and transcript/report card.
- The judge’s decisions are final.
- Only one person will be selected as winner in each category.
- All of the information submitted on the application can be publicly shared during the Awards presentation, Confidential information should not be included.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- The judges will ensure that the class of scholarship recipients is diverse culturally, economically, and academically. Each area high school can be awarded a maximum of 3 scholarships.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Applied Materials Foundation (5 Scholarships, $1500 each)
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE/EDUCATION – The student should have consistently demonstrated high academic achievement. This includes grades, creativity, critical thinking, classroom participation, and other behaviors that contribute to excellence in scholarship.
ARTS – Any youth who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to personal achievement in the artistic disciplines or who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment utilizing art to benefit others in a significant way such as music, drama, visual and performing arts.
COMMUNITY SERVICE — The student should have volunteered his/her time for one or more activities, which were to the immediate benefit of others in the community. This student has made a positive impact on their community through volunteerism. Please document the occasion(s), the participants, and the value of the service in which the student was engaged. Volunteer service should not include paid assignments.
BEATING THE ODDS — Any youth who has overcome unusual or overwhelming adversity to achieve personal greatness or contributed in an exceptional way to those in their community.
MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE – Any youth who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to personal/academic achievement; pursuit of learning and using acquired knowledge and skill in the following courses: Honors and AP courses (Ex: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Pre calculus, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Ascension Seton Awards (3 Scholarships, $2000 each)
ASCENSION SETON HEALTH SCIENCES AWARD – The student should have consistently demonstrated high academic achievement. This includes grades, creativity, critical thinking, classroom participation, and other behaviors that contribute to excellence in scholarship.
DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY HUMANITARIAN — This award embodies the spirit, values and philosophy of Dr. King. (a) The student should have been involved in activities or other organized efforts in their school or community that have facilitated inclusion and understanding among people of different religious faiths, ethnic backgrounds and racial groups. The student also demonstrated a passion for fairness and justice and compassion for others in need. Or (b) The student was involved with efforts that contributed to the improvement of the quality of life for individuals who have been displaced in our communities. For example, provided support and services to individuals displaced by hurricanes or other disasters/events.
ASCENSION SETON YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD — The student should have: (a) Initiated an activity to either meet a need, or provided a service of immediate value to other students in his/her program, or to the School; Or (b) Should have accepted leadership responsibility in the execution of a position or task, which was of value to other students, to his/her program, or to the School. Leadership can also be demonstrated by active participation in a sponsored organization in the student’s area of study.
Coca-Cola (5 Scholarships, $1000 each)
COMMUNITY SERVICE (2 award scholarships) — The student should have volunteered his/her time for one or more activities, which were to the immediate benefit of others in the community. This student has made a positive impact on their community through volunteerism. Please document the occasion(s), the participants, and the value of the service in which the student was engaged. Volunteer service should not include paid assignments.
BEATING THE ODDS (3 award scholarships) — Any youth who has overcome unusual or overwhelming adversity to achieve personal greatness or contributed in an exceptional way to those in their community.
Wells Fargo Entrepreneur Award (3 Scholarships, $2500 each)
This scholarship is aimed at students who are aspiring entrepreneurs and have exhibited excellence academically while working towards fulfilling future entrepreneurial dreams.
Recognize Good Award (1 Scholarship for $1000)
This scholarship is purposed to support the higher education dreams of a student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch and is committed to “doing good”. “Doing good” can be described through service to family, school, or specific groups within the community.