Scholarship Policies & Approach

Scholarship Policies & Approach

Mission Statement

Juneteenth Intercontinental University's scholarship program is founded on the principle that education is a human right and that financial barriers should never prevent individuals committed to social justice, community organizing, and liberation movements from accessing transformative education. Our scholarships prioritize students from historically marginalized communities and those demonstrating commitment to community empowerment and systemic change.

Core Scholarship Principles

1. Equity-Centered Access

• Need-Blind Admissions: All qualified applicants are evaluated without consideration of their ability to pay

• Full-Need Coverage: Students with demonstrated financial need receive aid packages covering 100% of educational costs

• Community Wealth Recognition: We acknowledge that traditional measures of family income may not reflect the true financial circumstances of applicants from marginalized communities

2. Community Impact Priority

• Organizing Experience: Priority given to applicants with demonstrated community organizing, activism, or grassroots leadership experience

• Geographic Diversity: Special consideration for students from underserved rural, urban, and international communities

• Movement Continuity: Preference for applicants committed to returning to and strengthening their home communities

3. Holistic Evaluation

• Beyond Academic Metrics: Scholarships awarded based on community impact, leadership potential, and commitment to justice rather than solely on standardized test scores or GPA

• Life Experience Value: Recognition that work, caregiving, and community responsibilities represent valuable educational experiences

• Cultural Wealth Assessment: Evaluation includes linguistic abilities, cultural knowledge, social networks, and community connections

Scholarship Categories

Liberation Scholars Program

Full tuition, fees, housing, and living stipend for undergraduate students

• For students from historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities

• Requires demonstration of community organizing or advocacy experience

• Includes mentorship, internship placement, and leadership development

• Recipients commit to 2 years of community service post-graduation

Community Organizer Pathway

Covers tuition and fees for students with organizing experience

• Open to current or former community organizers, activists, and movement leaders

• Flexible scheduling accommodations for ongoing organizing commitments

• Internship credit available for continued organizing work

• Networking opportunities with movement leaders and organizations

First-Generation Freedom Fighters

Merit and need-based aid for first-generation college students

• Comprehensive support including academic coaching and mentorship

• Family engagement programming to support student success

• Career development focused on social justice fields

• Alumni network connections for ongoing support

International Solidarity Scholarships

Support for international students from liberation movements

• Full funding for students from Global South engaged in social movements

• Cultural adjustment support and community integration programming

• Opportunities for cross-cultural learning and solidarity building

• Post-graduation support for return to home countries or continued organizing

Indigenous Knowledge Keepers

Dedicated support for Indigenous students and knowledge systems

• Recognition of traditional ecological and cultural knowledge

• Support for incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into academic work

• Connection with Indigenous faculty mentors and community elders

• Funding for ceremony, cultural practices, and community obligations

Formerly Incarcerated Leaders

Specialized support for students with criminal legal system involvement

• Holistic admissions review recognizing system inequities

• Academic and social support services

• Career development in criminal legal reform and community healing

• Peer support networks and mentorship opportunities

Worker-Student Alliance

Support for working students and union members

• Flexible scheduling for students with work obligations

• Recognition of labor organizing and workplace advocacy experience

• Partnerships with labor unions for funding and career placement

• Academic credit for labor education and organizing experience

Application Process

Application Requirements

1. Community Impact Statement (1,500 words): Describe your community involvement, organizing experience, and vision for social change

2. Academic Transcripts: From all previous institutions

3. Three References: At least one from community organizing or advocacy work

4. Financial Documentation: For need-based aid consideration

5. Optional: Portfolio of organizing work, creative expressions, or community projects

Evaluation Criteria

• Community Engagement (40%): Depth and impact of organizing, advocacy, or community work

• Academic Preparation (25%): Readiness for university-level coursework

• Leadership Potential (20%): Demonstrated or potential leadership in social justice movements

• Financial Need (15%): Economic circumstances requiring financial support

Timeline

• Early Action Deadline: November 1 (Priority consideration)

• Regular Decision Deadline: March 1

• Rolling Admissions: Applications accepted year-round for immediate consideration

Support Services

Academic Support

• Peer Tutoring Networks: Student-led academic support systems

• Faculty Mentorship: Assigned faculty advisors with shared interests and backgrounds

• Study Groups: Collaborative learning focused on social justice themes

• Research Opportunities: Funded undergraduate research in community organizing and social movements

Personal Support

• Counseling Services: Trauma-informed mental health support recognizing impacts of oppression

• Basic Needs Support: Food pantry, emergency housing, healthcare access

• Childcare Services: On-campus childcare for student parents

• Elder Care Support: Resources for students caring for family members

Professional Development

• Organizing Internships: Paid placements with social justice organizations

• Leadership Conferences: Funded attendance at movement gatherings and trainings

• Alumni Networks: Connection with graduates working in social justice fields

• Career Services: Specialized support for nonprofit, organizing, and advocacy careers

Renewal and Continuation

Academic Standards

• Satisfactory Progress: Minimum 2.0 GPA with full-time enrollment

• Community Engagement: Continued involvement in campus or community organizing

• Annual Review: Assessment of academic progress and community impact

Flexible Accommodations

• Medical Leave: Maintained funding during health-related absences

• Family Obligations: Support for students with caregiving responsibilities

• Organizing Commitments: Academic flexibility for significant community organizing work

• Part-Time Options: Prorated funding for students unable to maintain full-time status

Funding Sources

Institutional Commitment

• Endowment Allocation: 40% of university endowment dedicated to scholarship funding

• Annual Operating Budget: 25% of annual budget allocated to financial aid

• Faculty Contribution: Optional faculty salary contribution program

External Partnerships

• Foundation Grants: Partnerships with social justice and education foundations

• Community Organizations: Funding relationships with movement organizations

• Alumni Giving: Graduated organizers supporting current students

• Corporate Partnerships: Ethical partnerships with mission-aligned businesses

Innovative Funding

• Mutual Aid Networks: Community-supported funding circles

• Movement Fundraising: Grassroots fundraising through organizing networks

• Solidarity Economics: Resource sharing with other movement institutions

• Reparative Funding: Specific funds for communities harmed by historical injustices

Accountability and Assessment

Student Voice

• Scholarship Council: Student-led governance of scholarship policies

• Annual Feedback: Regular assessment of program effectiveness

• Policy Development: Student participation in scholarship policy creation

Community Impact Measurement

• Graduate Tracking: Monitoring of alumni community engagement and leadership

• Community Partnerships: Assessment of university's community relationships

• Movement Contributions: Evaluation of graduates' contributions to social justice movements

Continuous Improvement

• Annual Policy Review: Regular updating of scholarship approaches

• Community Input: Ongoing consultation with community organizations and movement leaders

• Research Integration: Incorporation of scholarship research on educational equity

Contact Information

Office of Scholarships and Community Engagement Juneteenth Intercontinental University Liberation Hall, Suite 250

Phone: (800) 206-0999 / Email: scholarships@uij.ca / Website: https://www.uij.ca/scholarships?lang=en-US

Office Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Evening hours available by appointment for working students

• Weekend community office hours: Sundays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

This policy reflects Juneteenth Intercontinental University's commitment to educational justice and community empowerment. We recognize that financial barriers have historically been used to exclude marginalized communities from higher education, and our scholarship program actively works to dismantle these barriers while supporting the development of community leaders and social justice advocates.

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Consumer Information

General Scholarships

PELL Grant-Lifetime Eligibility Used Calculation

Disaster Assistance-Federal Student Aid

College Resource Network-Scholarships

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How to Pay for College

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