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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alderman Edward J. Bugg, Ward 9
DATE: February 2, 2024
SUBJECT:
Ward 9 Scholarship Program
PURPOSE:
Aurora - Ward 9 Alderman, Edward J. Bugg, with the help of the AURORA- WARD 9 Area Business Community has established several College Scholarships of at least $1000 each; Two Academic Scholarships, Two Community Service Scholarships, and the “Comeback Student” Scholarship. The final number and amount of the Scholarships will be determined by the sponsorships. To be eligible for the Ward 9 Scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in their Senior year of high school or be enrolled in their first three years of college as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited two- or four-year college. Applicants also must be legal residents or U.S. citizens and reside in Ward 9, Aurora, Illinois. Those residents who resided within the former Ward 9 boundary as of August 2022 are also eligible. Proof of a 3.0 out of 4.0 or better grade point average is a requirement for both high school and college for all scholarships. Past Ward 9 Scholarship winners are not eligible.
BACKGROUND:
The Academic Scholarship will stress academic performance, and community service will be secondary. The Community Service Scholarship will stress community involvement and extracurriculars, and academic achievement will be the lesser criteria. The “Comeback Student” Scholarship will consider academics and community service equally but will also consider special circumstances that the student has had to overcome to achieve academic success. Applicants are welcome to apply for all Scholarships with a single application but will only be eligible to win a single award.
DISCUSSION:
To apply for the Ward 9 Scholarship, the applicant must send name, address, telephone number, email address, a copy of both high school and college transcripts, proof of enrollment or acceptance letter for a two-or four-year college or university for the current academic year, a letter from a supporting organization acknowledging involvement in community service activities in Aurora, a personal reference letter, and a personal statement of why you feel you are deserving of the AURORA-WARD 9 Scholarship. Applications will be accepted preferably by mail and postmarked or in person, by 4:00 p.m. on a specific date provided by the Ward 9 Alderman, at 60 E. Downer Pl., Aurora. The scholarship winners will be announced at the Ward 9 Scholarship Ceremony Breakfast in June of each year at a date determined by the Ward 9 Alderman. It is highly recommended that all applicants attend the Aurora-Ward 9 Clean Up the Streets Day set for April each year. In addition, the applicants are encouraged to attend at least two Ward 9 Community Service events in the future.
Scholarship business donations will be deposited into a Ward 9 Scholarship account number 319-0000-227.01-10 and the Scholarships will be paid out of the same Ward 9 Scholarship account.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
N/A.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve the Ward 9 Scholarship Program with current guidelines.
cc: Rues, Administration and Procedures Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution establishing the Ward 9 Scholarship Program process.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, a resolution authorizing Alderman Edward J. Bugg and the 9th Ward Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of the Alderman of the 9th Ward and at least 2 Aurora area residents of which one member must be a current or retired teacher or have an advance degree in Education to receive, review and award requests anonymously for scholarships; and:
WHEREAS, all scholarship donations will be funded by business sponsorships and shall be made out to the "City of Aurora" and deposited into the Ward 9 account set forth by the Aurora Finance Department, and
WHEREAS, the Ward 9 scholarship award funds shall be dispersed directly to the verified College/University of the Scholarship recipient; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Hereby authorize the Ward 9 Scholarship Program.