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 up to $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 up to $10,000 renewable annual scholarship
  • Skill-Building Workshops & Seminars:
    • January - Economic Development Retreat held at a Baltimore metropolitan 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.
    • May - Early Summer Seminar conducted by a prominent local business. Over the course of the scholars' academic career, topics range from financial literacy (including managing a checking/savings account, the pitfalls of credit, borrowing for a home or auto and investing for their future) to preparing for summer internships and/or post grad employment. Event includes recognition of graduating senior scholars. 
    • August – Welcome, Writing and Wrap Up – Welcome new freshmen to the program and returning scholars “wrap up” the prior year.  Workshop/seminar provided by HR professionals for students to begin building professional resume and/or interpret summer 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 student in good academic standing currently attending 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, 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 April-May 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 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 more than $2.4 Million in scholarships to needy students
  • Celebrated 42 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
  • 48% of Alumni pursue masters or doctoral degrees
  • Alumni employed full-time as

* Accountants                                   * Medical Compliance Officers
* Animal Assistants/Trainers            * Medical Researchers
* Client Relations                             * Paralegals
* Engineers                                      * Pastors
* Entrepreneurs                               * Project Managers
* Lawyers                                         * Social Service Agents
* Teachers

2018-2019  CollegeBound Urban Scholars Program Participants

Victoria Able
McDaniel College

Morgan Alark
Hood College

Lindsey Bush **
Stevenson University

Filimon Fishaye
Goucher College

Danny Flanagan, III **
McDaniel College

Davon Harris **
Stevenson University

Caprice Hickson **
Stevenson University

Kiah Johnson
Mount St. Mary's University

Akira Jones  **
Stevenson University

Sianci Jones
Notre Dame of Maryland University

Ki’Juana Land
McDaniel College

Rawan Mahmoud **
Stevenson University

Darrick Rowe
McDaniel College

Liya Sinke
Goucher College

Leonel Suarez-Perez **
Stevenson University

Yohanis Teweldebirhan
Goucher College

T' Ana Williams
McDaniel College

Mariame Zotamou
Loyola University Maryland

** Denotes dual Urban/Travelers EDGE Scholars

 

Program Funders & In-Kind Gift Contributors

Associated Black Charities
CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield
Compass Group/Bon Appetit
BGE
Greater Baltimore Committee
Legg Mason
Lord Baltimore Capital Corporation
M&T Bank
PricewaterhouseCoopers
SC&H Group LLC
Shawe Family Foundation
SunTrust Bank
Travelers
T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, Inc.
University of Maryland Medical Center
Wells Fargo

 

Summer Internship Sponsors

Art with a Heart
Baltimore Algebra Project
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Constellation Energy/BGE
Gallagher, Evelius & Jones
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins University
LifeBridge Health System
Living Classrooms
M&T Bank
Maryland Historical Society
MDOT
The Maryland Zoo
Parks & People Foundation
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Refugee Youth Projects
SC&H
Soccer Without Borders
Travelers
University of Maryland Medical Center
Wells Fargo