CUNY LAW AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION
GENERAL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS
- Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
- School of Labor and Urban Studies Graduate Degree Program
- CUNY Law School
- CUNY School of Professional Studies Graduate Degree Program
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
GENERAL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
The Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund was established in 1979 by the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, the instructional staff union of The City University of New York. The scholarship honors the founding president of the PSC, Belle Zeller, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Brooklyn College, where she taught for more than 40 years. The scholarship is intended to honor the unique qualities of Belle Zeller: the combination of social commitment and scholarship and is based on merit, not financial need. The Fund is an independent not-for-profit organization.- Completed applications must be received by the deadline stated on the application website.
- The Board of Trustees of the Belle Zeller Scholarship Trust Fund will review all applications and select candidates to be interviewed.
- Applicants must be full-time CUNY Law School or Professional School students in one of the programs listed above and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.
- Award: $5,000 for one year, paid in two installments of $2,500, provided the student remains full-time at CUNY and continues to meet the academic and service requirements.
- Recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and continue to provide evidence of community service during both semesters in which they receive the scholarship.
- The Trustees shall be the sole judge of whether a recipient continues to meet these requirements.
- Scholarship recipients may not defer the award. All awards must be used in the Fall of the academic year for which they are awarded.
- Scholarship recipients may not reapply for the scholarship in the future.
- Applicants must show evidence of significant voluntary service to CUNY and/or the larger community through a letter of recommendation.
- All candidates selected for interviews by a panel of Trustees must be available for an interview when requested.
- All applicants will receive an auto-response confirming submission of their application.
- Receipt of an application does not constitute acceptance. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the application and all required documentation are complete. Applicants will not receive separate notification of missing or incomplete materials.
- Successful scholarship recipients will be notified by email.
- Decisions of the Board of Trustees are final.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two letters of recommendation must be submitted.• Letters must be signed and emailed as PDF attachments to recommend@bellezeller.org.
• Letters provided in the body of an email, Microsoft Word, JPEG, or as scanned or hard copies will not be accepted.
• All letters must include the recommender’s daytime contact information, including telephone number and email address.
• Letters will not be accepted if submitted by the applicant.
APPLICANT’S STATEMENT
In a MAXIMUM OF 600 WORDS, applicants must submit a personal statement discussing their life experiences as they relate to their goals and social commitment. The statement must include evidence of the applicant’s most significant, recent volunteer community service within the past two years and comment on recent academic work.The applicant’s first and last name must appear at the top of each page.
The personal statement must be submitted as a PDF only and may not exceed 600 words. Word documents will not be accepted.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The use of AI to generate or substantially rewrite the personal statement is strongly discouraged and may detract from the value and authenticity of the statement. Applicants should ensure that the statement reflects their own experiences, accomplishments, perspective, and voice.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• All applicants are entitled to equal consideration under applicable equal opportunity and affirmative action provisions in accordance with Internal Revenue Service stipulations.• Belle Zeller Scholars may be required to authorize the release of their college records to verify continuing full-time status.
• Belle Zeller Scholars who do not abide by the stated conditions will forfeit the remainder of their scholarship.