Application for the 2023-2024 academic year
Application Deadline will be June 30, 2023 11:59 p.m. EDT/ 8:59 p.m. PDT. It is highly recommended you submit your application before the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
As part of the application process, an interview will be conducted. Only students awarded scholarships will be notified in writing in September 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Maria J. Lopez, assistant director of scholarship programs, Office of Multicultural Advancement at mjlopez@syr.edu
The program offers eligible students leadership skills and mentorship by Syracuse University alumni and friends, in addition to a monetary scholarship. Our scholars are given an opportunity to enhance their Syracuse education. We provide encouragement, motivation, and support to students from all disciplines.
We are looking for students with a strong interest in volunteering, leadership training, and joining a supportive community of scholars.
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- Be enrolled at Syracuse University. Scholarships are not awarded for summer study
- Have a current FAFSA on file*
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (the average GPA of scholarship recipients for 2022-2023 is 3.4)
*Scholarships are based on need. In other words, you must have a need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid (based on your FAFSA). Once need is determined, awards are made based on academic merit.
All fields are required unless otherwise specified.
Main campus (full-time students)
- Application form
- Two (2) letters of recommendation must be uploaded and submitted with your application. Recommendations must be on letterhead and uploaded as a PDF document*
- Recommenders are to send the letters to the applicant to upload to their application for final submission.
College of Professional Studies (part-time students)
- Application form
- Two (2) letters of recommendation must be uploaded and submitted with your application. Recommendations must be on letterhead and uploaded as a PDF document*
- Recommenders are to send the letters to the applicant to upload to their application for final submission.
*Incoming first-year students can submit recommendations from high school counselor and teachers.
*If you are a current Syracuse University student, at least one of your letters must be written by a Syracuse University faculty or staff member.
Required Essays for all Applicants
Please answer each essay question in 750-1000 words.
- Upload Essays as one PDF document.
- Include your first and last name in the header of the document and file name.
Essay 1-Personal Statement
Briefly tell us about yourself (family, background, personal attributes, and/or how you define yourself).
- Discuss a significant experience and the impact it has had on your education.
- Describe your academic journey. What have you learned about yourself? How did your major/program of choice evolve? (required)
Essay 2-Personal Essay
- Discuss volunteer experience, education goals, and career goals.
- Why you believe you should be selected for the Our Time Has Come Scholarship?
As part of the application process, an interview will be conducted.
If awarded an Our Time Has Come Scholarship, you are expected to actively participate in the Our Time Has Come Program. Required activities include and are not limited to the following:
OTHC Leadership Seminar-TED Talk-style presentations given by successful alumni or other professionals of color who share their career journeys or offer specific skills training.
OTHC Community Meetings – students connect, share ideas, and encourage each other; additional workshops throughout the semester during this time.
Meet with the Assistant Director of Scholarship Programs (at least once each semester)
Participating in events hosted by the Office of Multicultural Advancement (SUMA)– such as Coming Back Together (CBT)
Volunteering to support events by SUMA/OTHC or partners in Alumni Engagement and, Advancement and External Affairs.