In 2015, Orange County Trial Lawyers’ Charities implemented our annual scholarship program to help local high school seniors attend college and become future leaders of tomorrow. In our inaugural class, we gave away $40,000 in college scholarships to 16 deserving high school seniors. Since then, OCTLC has provided grants to at least 10 deserving students annually. If you are a high school senior who will attend college, then consider submittingan application for a scholarshipbetween January 1 and April 15 of the year you graduate.
Introduction
The Orange County Trial Lawyers’ Charities, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, will award at least ten (10) college scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to deserving high school seniors who will enroll in college that same year. OCTLC’s mission is to make a positive difference in the quality of life for people within the greater Orange County area, focusing on issues related to education, children, survivors of abuse, persons with disabilities, and homelessness.
Application Process
All applications will be submitted online. Public high schools within the Orange County area have the opportunity to submit five (5) top senior candidates from each school for this program. Students are selected in an application process and with the recommendations of Orange County area high school counselors based upon merits and need. We ask that each school submit five (5) applications only. Students interested in applying should contact their high school counselor to receive the link to the online application.
Nominating Process
Our program’s primary qualification is academic achievement and hardship. While academic achievement is the first standard, what truly separates the finalists from the other applicants is excellence outside the classroom and/or overcoming a hardship, socially and/or familial.
- No children of judges or lawyers are eligible for scholarships.
- Details of the scholarship program should be disseminated widely to all senior class members.
- Students are not disqualified on the grounds that they have applied for or received other scholarship(s).
- Students must reside in Orange County and attend a PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
- The desire to practice law is not a criterion for these scholarships.
Scholarship Online Application
OCTLC has a NEW application software and process. OCTLC has sent the application link to school counselors. If your school counselor did not receive the link, please contact Lissa Zanville, [email protected]. REMEMBER: Each school may submit NO MORE THAN FIVE (5) applications.
The application will include the following:
- Cover letter (no more than 500 words, which may be cut and pasted into the application form)
- Official School Transcripts (from 9th grade to present) which is to be uploaded
- Reference letters (no more than 2) that are also to be uploaded
- Any additional information (no more than 5 pages) the student wishes to be uploaded (optional)
- Include which college or university student plans to attend in then fall. If this information is not available at time of submission, applicants who receive a scholarship must provide this information when it becomes available. The scholarship check will be issued directly to the college/university for payment towards tuition, housing, books, and fees. Scholarship checks will not be made payable directly to the applicants.
Selection Process
Once the committee receives nominations from all participating schools, OCTLC will select at least ten (10) students from around the county who will each receive cash scholarship awards. The awards will be sent directly to the school to be deposited into the winner’s account. Each recipient will be honored at his/her school’s Senior/Award Day.
Deadline for Submissions
The deadline for submission is April 15. If you have any questions, please contact Lissa Zanville, 844-44-OCTLC or email [email protected].