2023-2024 Raise The Barr Vikings Scholar Cohort Application for Undergraduate Single Parents 

Open: June 15 - July 15

To apply for the RTB Vikings cohort, click here for the online application. Attending or watching the info session about the cohort is required before applying. Click here to get the video of the info session sent to you.

You may also be eligible to apply for RTB scholarship cohort. Click here for more information.

Cohort members are selected from a competitive pool of applicants. This year we expect to select up to 7 new cohort members. Semi-finalists will be invited to meet with our program officers to learn more about the programming requirements. The cohort will be announced by August 15.

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COHORT PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS

We estimate that the required cohort programming will require an average of 3 hours per month and include:

  • Monthly meetings with a whole-family coach

  • Monthly or bi-monthly participation in workshops and special events

COHORT MEMBERS RECEIVE:

All cohort members receive one-on-one coaching from trained staff who have current and relatable lived experiences. Together, coaches and scholars set monthly goals to navigate the academic and social systems they encounter on their journey to economic mobility.

Monthly workshops are designed to develop leadership, knowledge, and skills around family wellness, financial empowerment, college and career planning, and more. They are facilitated by professionals and experts, including RTB staff and single-parent students themselves, who often know best how to manage their time, navigate social systems, and advocate for their family’s needs. 

Each member receives coaching that supports family well-being and academic success. This formula reduces isolation and builds assets in three key areas: social capital (peer support and professional networking), financial empowerment, and academic and professional pathways.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

  1. Plan to attend LBCC in the fall term. 

  2. Provide primary financial support for themself and a minor dependent(s).  

  3. Attend an information session.

  4. Have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.

  5. Be committed to maintaining a minimum of 9 credits hours each academic term.

  6. Currently have a GPA of 2.5 or above.

  7. Be willing to commit an average of 3 hours per month to Raise The Barr’s programming.

  8. Have experienced housing insecurity in the last 6 months.

This year we are prioritizing applicants who:

  • Are in the final year of 2-year Associate’s program with plans to transfer to a 4-year Bachelor’s program. Other applicants will be considered.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 

Applicant will need the following documents to complete the application:

  • 2022 tax return (if you filed). If you did not file, you will be prompted to upload a written and signed notification.

  • If you are currently employed, copy of your last two check stubs.

  • If you pay for childcare, proof of payment such as a cancelled check or receipt from provider.

  • Official 2023/2024 fee statement showing cost of attendance, as well as current charges for upcoming term from your student account.

  • 2023/2024 Financial Award letter showing total accepted awards for the academic term.

  • Copy of transcript with coursework showing most recent academic term (if continuing enrollment).

  • Two references. These must be individuals who can speak to your leadership, resilience, lived experiences, and career goals. They may be someone who has supervised you in a work position, a teacher or instructor, a mentor, a volunteer work supervisor, and/or a clergy member; they should be someone who knows you well.

*We require these documents to assess an applicant’s financial need. Without these documents, an application will not be considered complete, and the scholarship committee will not review the application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION 

Applicant will need the following documents to complete the application. 

  • Two references. These must be individuals who can speak to the applicant’s leadership, resilience, lived experiences, and career goals. They may be someone who has supervised the applicant in a work position, a teacher or instructor, a mentor, a volunteer work supervisor, or a clergy member—someone who knows the applicant well.

DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE 

Please note that each cohort member will receive $1,500 each month from September to June to help offset rental costs.

RTB Viking Cohort FAQ

  • Yes. Raise The Barr does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of any applicable protected classification including, but not limited to, race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

  • No. If you have already earned a Bachelor's degree, you are no longer eligible to apply.

  • If you can provide documentation that shows you are a single-filer, and that you are the primary financial support for yourself and minor dependents, then yes you can still apply.

  • If you claim minor children on your tax return then yes. Dependents, under our definition, are biological children, adopted children, foster children, or any minor child whom you claim as a dependent on your tax return.

  • Please provide a written statement that includes your signature, stating that you did not file. You can upload that to your application. Please provide your SAR or FAFSA instead.

  • A competitive applicant is one who meets all eligibility requirements, has strong personal statements and recommendations, and demonstrates a strong interest in actively participating in the cohort programming.

  • Yes, you can apply as a part-time student as long as you are taking 9 units per term.

  • No. The application is not complete without two uploaded letters of recommendation.

  • The deadline to accept the application is July 15, 2023.

  • Attending virtual or in-person workshops and meetings with a RTB's staff

    • 1-2 hours a month for check in with a program coordinator/coach 

    • 2-3 hours a month for mandatory programs/workshops/experiences

  • Applicants will be notified by August 15.

  • Letters of recommendation must be from two references who can speak to the applicant’s leadership, lived experiences, career goals, who may have supervised applicant in a work position; a teacher or instructor; mentor; volunteer work supervisor; clergy member, and/or who can speak to the applicant’s readiness for the cohort. Professional or academic references are preferred but friends and family members may be references.