Urban Scholars Program

The CollegeBound Urban Scholars Program (CUSP) provides financial support, internships and networking experiences for Baltimore City public school students. Urban Scholars receive annual scholarships of $10,000 throughout four years of college and are chosen through a competitive process which includes an in-person interview.

To learn more, please contact Lori Subotich at lsubotich@collegeboundfoundation.org.

Program Components, Scholar Benefits, Eligibility

  • Scholarship: A four-year $10,000 renewable annual scholarship
  • Skill-Building Workshops & Seminars:
    • Winter - Economic Development Retreat held at a downtown Baltimore location, an all-day event that features workshops provided by program funders. Past topics include: "How to Interview", "Business Etiquette", "Social Networking", "Negotiating Your Future", “Social Media’. Students participate in employer/student roundtable discussions.  Event concludes with a networking reception with business professionals.
    • Summer - An early summer Wealth Management Seminar conducted by a prominent local financial institution. Over the course of the scholars' academic career, topics range from banking and investment services (including managing a checking/savings account, the pitfalls of credit, borrowing for a home or auto and investing for their future). Event is followed by a business networking reception.
    • August - Resume Writing Workshop and closing ceremony at a downtown Baltimore location.  Includes a seminar provided by HR professionals where students interpret their internship experiences into line items on their resume. A networking reception with prominent corporate representatives concludes the event.
    • Networking Opportunities - Incorporated into each of the three scholar events.
    • Summer Internship Opportunities - Scholars are assisted in seeking/securing meaningful internship opportunities each summer of their academic career. The experiences are intended to give them insight into the Baltimore business community as well as opportunities for mentoring from senior level management which may lead to potential employment upon graduation.
    • Mentoring Experience - Scholars receive a mentoring experience each year of their academic career. Mentors from the corporate community as well as graduates of CUSP round out the pool of volunteers.
  • Scholars: Eligible high school seniors should apply through a link on CollegeBound’s website.  Beginning December 1st each year students can access an application on the main web page by clicking the words ‘Apply Here’. 
    • Eligible students must:
      • be a Baltimore City resident and currently attend a Baltimore City Public High School
      • be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant
      • have applied and plan to attend full-time, one of the participating colleges/universities (Capitol Technology University, Goucher College, Hood College, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, McDaniel College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Stevenson University, Washington College)
      • have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 at the time of application

Incoming freshman are selected through a process which includes an in-person interview in the May-June timeframe.

Additional Criteria Used to Determine Eligibility:

  • Financial need (preference for students from low- and moderate-income families)
  • High school academic performance
  • Well written essay
  • Professional resume
  • Letter(s) of recommendation
  • Leadership potential demonstrated through high school activities and community involvement
  • Preference is given to minority students and those with a demonstrable interest in diversity

Program Participation Requirements:

  • Scholars continue to participate in CollegeBound Urban Scholars Program and receive the scholarship and other program benefits each year up to four (4) years if they:
    • Maintain Baltimore City residency
    • Maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing at a participating college/university
    • Maintain a required minimum cumulative GPA
    • Attend CUSP skill-building workshops and networking events
    • Complete an internship each summer

Since its inception in 2004, CUSP has:

  • Awarded nearly $2 Million in scholarships to needy students
  • Celebrated 29 graduates to date from CUSP
  • Assisted graduates of the program in entering the workforce, matriculating in graduate programs and continuing outreach to future Urban Scholars
  • Provided mentors for each Urban Scholar with the assistance of corporate and CUSP graduate volunteers

“This scholarship allowed me to attend college without worrying about financial issues.  The funding as well as the mentorship and workshops provided have helped me tremendously and still have an impact on my life.  The program mentors helped me stay motivated and were always there when I needed assistance.  I cannot begin to express how important this program is in the lives and academic careers of the students involved.  Thank you for this opportunity.” Keiva Cole, 2014 graduate, Notre Dame of Maryland University

2015-2016  CollegeBound Urban Scholars Program Participants

Morgan Alark
Hood College

Teddy Almayo **
Stevenson University

Edward Bennett **
Stevenson University

Danny Flanagan, III
McDaniel College

Grace Greason  **
Stevenson University

Kiah Johnson
Mount St. Mary's University

Akira Jones  **
Stevenson University

Dikshant Malla
Johns Hopkins University

Rawan Mahmoud **
Stevenson University

Dazhane Merritt
Washington College

Evodie Ngoy
Goucher College

Amra Niyas
Loyola University Maryland

Garnell Purcell  **
Stevenson University

Jean Reed
McDaniel College

Uzma Rimzan
Notre Dame of Maryland University

Leonel Suarez-Perez **
Stevenson University

Kayla Thames
Goucher College

Johnai Williams  **
Stevenson University

T’Ana Williams
McDaniel College 

** Denotes dual Urban/Travelers EDGE Scholars

 

 

Program Funders & In-Kind Gift Contributors

Associated Black Charities

CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield

Carrollton Bank

Compass Group/Bon Appetit

BGE

Greater Baltimore Committee

Harbor Bank

Legg Mason

Lord Baltimore Capital Corporation

MattGrayPhoto.com

M&T Bank

PNC Bank

P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati

Saul Ewing LLP

SC&H Group LLC

Shawe Family Foundation

State Farm Insurance

SunTrust Bank

Travelers

T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, Inc.

Wells Fargo

Workforce Tactix
 

Summer Internship Sponsors

Abrams, Foster, Nole & Williams, P.A.

AfroAmerican Newspaper

Art with a Heart

Baltimore Algebra Project

Baltimore Life Insurance Company

Bon Secours Hospital

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Carrollton Bank

Comcast

Constellation Energy/BGE

Erickson Retirement Communities

Gallagher, Evelius & Jones

Harbor Bank Maryland

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Johns Hopkins University

Kelly & Associates

LifeBridge Health System

M&T Bank

Maryland Historical Society

MDOT

The Maryland Zoo

Parks & People Foundation

Plexus Communications

Provident Bank

SC&H

St. Agnes Hospital

Travelers

University of Maryland Medical Center

VMG Marketing

Wells Fargo