SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship is awarded to a self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender student-athlete who has made a contribution to the sport(s) he or she is a part of and, as a result of his or her contributions and involvement, has enhanced the perception of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.Awards are made to graduating high school seniors or current college students from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who will be/are currently attending a fully accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States.Candidates should demonstrate dedication to both academic and athletic excellence, as well as show promise of serving as a positive role model as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individual.

The Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship will provide at least $2000 of financial support to offset the cost of educational expenses including, but not limited to, tuition, housing, board or books. A minimum of one scholarship will be awarded annually in June.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration by the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship Selection Committee.
1. Applicant must reside and attend or have attended high school in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Current college students must be from (have a permanent home address in) the Washington, D.C. area. This includes the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County (MD), Montgomery County (MD), Arlington County (VA), City of Alexandria (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Loudon County (VA), and Prince William County (VA).
2. Applicant must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
3. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or current college student and have demonstrated academic success.
4. Applicant must demonstrate active involvement/participation in interscholastic athletics, intercollegiate athletics or a competitive sport (club sport, intramural athletics, recreation league, etc.). Sports include, but are not limited to, baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading/competitive cheer, crew, cross country, fencing, figure skating, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, sailing, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling. NOTE: Due to various regulations and restrictions, NCAA athletes cannot be considered for this award.
5. Applicant must supply an official copy of his or her high school transcript or current college/university transcript.
6. Applicant must be currently enrolled and/or intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at a fully accredited two- or four-year college/university no later than Fall  2010. High school applicants must supply a copy of the acceptance letter for his or her chosen college/university. NOTE: If acceptance letter is not available before the application deadline, submit the application and indicate you are still waiting for the letter.
7. Applicant must submit a personal essay outlining how his or her sexual orientation or gender identity has impacted participation/involvement in a sport and the ways in which this involvement has enhanced the perception of the LGBT community (e.g., reduced homophobia and increased awareness and tolerance of LGBT people). The essay should also address the applicant’s future goals and aspirations.
8. Applicant must submit two (2) letters of support from individuals who are qualified to address the candidate’s suitability for this award.
9. Financial need may be considered in situations where the students are equally qualified. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to assist this process. The SAR is a summary of the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
10. Applicant may not be related to any member or to the domestic partner of any member of the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship Selection Committee and/or Team DC Board of Directors.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications are available here. Qualified individuals wishing to be considered for the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship must submit a completed application, including all required materials online or by postal mail to: Team DC Attn: Brent Minor 2910 Sycamore Street Alexandria, Virginia  22305. Application materials must be postmarked no later than June 1,  2010. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. NOTE: Up to three finalists may be invited to meet with the Scholarship Selection Committee before a decision is made.

APPLICATION MATERIALS CHECK-LIST
An application will be considered valid and complete when the following materials are included:
[ ] Completed and signed application form
[ ] Official/sealed copy of high school transcript or college/university transcript
[ ] Copy of college/university acceptance letter (Note: this is for current high school seniors only)
[ ] Letter of support from __________________________________ (see application for instructions)
[ ] Letter of support from __________________________________ (see application for instructions)
[ ] Personal essay
[ ] Copy of Student Aid Report (optional)

AWARD NOTIFICATION AND PAYMENT
The scholarship recipient will be notified in writing no later than July 1,  2010. Scholarship payment will be made in one installment in August  2010 upon receipt of official notification of enrollment/registration for classes. Team DC reserves the right to make payment directly to the college or university on behalf of the recipient.

RECIPIENT’S OBLIGATION
Acceptance of the award constitutes permission for Team DC to use the recipient’s name in recognition as a recipient of the scholarship in the organization’s publications and announcements. Furthermore, recipient agrees to provide official documentation indicating full-time enrollment at the college or university of his or her choice before payment will be made.Failure to supply documentation as a registered, degree seeking student will result in revocation of the full amount of the award.

ABOUT TEAM DC
Team DC is a charitable organization established to educate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) community on the benefits of individual and team sports participation. Team DC works within the boarder community to dispel discrimination against LGBT people participating in sports; endows and confers scholarships upon LGBT student-athletes; provides a network of sporting outlets for the LGBT community of the Washington Metropolitan area; and promotes participation in local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competitions. Team DC is a member of the General Assembly of the Federation of Gay Games.

CONTACT US
Questions regarding the scholarship can be directed to us via e-mail at scholarship@teamdc.org.