2025- 2026 Application Proce

Know Your ABCs of Life Scholarship Application Requirements

All scholarship applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio including the following components:

1️⃣ Be an incoming College Freshman or Sophomore

2️⃣ Complete Scholars Profile

    •    The application form must be completed in full.

    •    A YouTube introduction video link must be included in the form.

3️⃣One PDF file containing all of the following elements:

✅ Cover Page

    •    Include:

    •    Head shot photo

    •    Full name

    •    High school

    •    Intended college

    •    GPA

    •    Intended college major

    •    Email address

    •    Instagram handle (if applicable)

    •    Cell phone number

✅ Transcripts

    •    An official or unofficial high school transcript

✅ Essay Response (500 words)

    •    Choose one of three available prompts (prompts provided separately).

1.  Know Your ABCs of Life” represents understanding and applying core values and practical knowledge to succeed personally, academically, and in your community. In 500 words, describe what ‘Knowing Your ABCs of Life’ means to you. Share how these principles have shaped your growth so far and how they will continue to guide you as you pursue your college education and future goals.

2. Think of a time when you faced a significant challenge or obstacle. How did you use skills or values you would consider part of your ABCs of Life (such as adaptability, balance, courage, or service) to overcome it? Describe the experience, what you learned, and how it prepared you for college and beyond.

3.  The mission of Know Your ABCs of Life is to help students build strong foundations for success. Describe how your community, family, or mentors have helped you build your own “ABCs of Life.” How do you plan to give back and inspire others as you continue your educational journey?

    •    Do not use ChatGPT or other AI tools to write your essay.

✅ Letter of Recommendation

    •    From a teacher, school counselor, or community leader

Barbara Allen Brice – In Everything Give Thanks Scholarship

Award Amount: Minimum $1,000 for the 2025–2026 academic year.
In honor of Ms. Barbara Allen Brice’s legacy of compassion, love, family, commitment to education, and excellence, applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio containing the following components:
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All scholarship applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio including the following components:

1️⃣Complete Scholar Profile
    •    The application form must be completed in full.
    •    A YouTube introduction video link must be included in the form.
2️⃣ One PDF file containing all of the following elements:
✅ Cover Page
    •    Include:    

    •    Name of Scholarship
    •    Head shot photo
    •    Full name
    •    High school
    •    Intended college
    •    GPA
    •    Intended college major
    •    Email address
    •    Instagram handle (if applicable)
    •    Cell phone number
✅ Transcript Upload
    •    High school transcript (Class of 2025 graduates)
    •    College transcript (if currently enrolled in college)
✅ Short Answer Questions
    •    Submit your responses in a single document (include your name, email, and phone number in the header)
    •    Maximum 300 words for each question
    1.    Why is education important? How are you going to use your education to achieve your goals?
    2.    What does gratitude mean to you?

✅ Essay or Artistic Expression
    •    Commitment to education, excellence, compassion, love, and family are qualities at the heart of Ms. Barbara Allen Brice’s legacy. Please submit either an essay or an artistic piece that demonstrates your understanding of any of these qualities, and how they have shaped who you are today or will guide your future.

Accepted artistic submissions include:
    •    Poetry (PDF)
    •    Visual art (high-resolution JPEG/PNG + short artist statement)
    •    Music or spoken word (MP3/WAV or private YouTube link + short explanation)
    •    Photography (high-resolution image + description)
    •    Short film/video (private YouTube or Vimeo link, 3 minutes max)
Be sure to include your name, email address, and phone number on all submitted files.

Deborah L. Cammick Spirit of Love Scholarship

Award Amount: Minimum $500 for the 2025–2026 academic year.
The Deborah L. Cammick Spirit of Love Scholarship was established in memory of Deborah L. Cammick, the beloved mother-in-love of LaKeisha McClendon, founder of Know Your ABCs of Life. This scholarship honors Ms. Cammick’s unwavering commitment to service, empathy, and love for people. It supports students who demonstrate these same values through giving back to their communities.

Ms. Cammick deeply believed in the mission of Know Your ABCs of Life. Through this scholarship and the generosity of supporters, her legacy of love and service will continue.
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All scholarship applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio including the following components:

1️⃣ Complete Scholars Profile
    •    The application form must be completed in full.
    •    A YouTube introduction video link must be included in the form.
2️⃣ One PDF file containing all of the following elements:
✅ Cover Page
    •    Include:

    •    Name of Scholarship
    •    Head shot photo
    •    Full name
    •    High school
    •    Intended college
    •    GPA
    •    Intended college major
    •    Email address
    •    Instagram handle (if applicable)
    •    Cell phone number

✅ Transcript Upload
    •    High school transcript (Class of 2025 graduates)
    •    College transcript (if currently enrolled in college)
✅ Short Answer Questions
Submit your responses in a single document with your name, email address, and phone number in the header. Each response should be no more than 300 words:
1️⃣ Describe what love means to you. What does it look like in your daily life? Share specific ways you demonstrate love toward others and how these actions reflect your values.
2️⃣ Think about a challenge affecting the African American community today, particularly young people. What is one issue you believe needs to be addressed? Describe the problem, explain why it matters to you, and share your ideas or a plan for how you would help solve it.

Sterling and Mildred Collick Next Generation (NEXT-GEN) Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000 for the 2025–2026 academic year.
The Sterling and Mildred Collick Next Generation (NEXT-GEN) Scholarship was created in honor of Mildred Collick and the late Sterling Collick, Sr., by their children and family. The Collicks raised their ten children to believe in hard work, education, entrepreneurship, and — most importantly — family and community.
In their honor, this scholarship supports individuals who share these same values as they pursue their educational and career goals.

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Eligibility Requirements
✅ African American seniors attending an accredited Maryland high school or GED program located in Baltimore City or Baltimore County
✅ Must have been accepted to a two- or four-year college/university, or an accredited post–high school trade, vocational, or allied program
✅ Must show proof of acceptance and/or intent to enroll
✅ Must show proof of high school or GED program completion (or provide official notice of planned completion date if still enrolled)
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Application Components

Applications will be reviewed by the Next-Gen Scholarship Committee and must be submitted in ONE PDF PORTFOLIO.
Applicants must also complete the KYABCs of Life Scholar Profile Form to be considered for this scholarship.
1️⃣ Complete Scholars Profile
    •    The application form must be completed in full.
    •    A YouTube introduction video link must be included in the form.
2️⃣ One PDF file containing all of the following elements:
✅ Cover Page
    •    Include:    

    •    Name of Scholarship
    •    Head shot photo
    •    Full name
    •    High school
    •    Intended college
    •    GPA
    •    Intended college major
    •    Email address
    •    Instagram handle (if applicable)
    •    Cell phone number
✅ Transcript Upload
    •    High school transcript (Class of 2025 graduates)
    •    College transcript (if currently enrolled in college)
✅ 2. Proof of High School or GED Completion
    •    Diploma, transcript, or official documentation of planned graduation
✅ 3. Essay (500–700 words)
Choose ONE of the following prompts:
1️⃣ As you reflect on your cultural background, what traditions, people, or community experiences have most inspired you? How have these influences shaped your dreams, educational goals, and vision for the future?
2️⃣ What does grit mean to you? Describe a time when you showed resilience, determination, or perseverance while working toward a goal. How will you continue to apply these qualities as you pursue your future ambitions? Be sure to clearly define what those future pursuits and goals are.
✅ 4. Description of Community and Civic Involvement
    •    Provide a written description of your unpaid volunteer or civic work
    •    (Note: not required, but a letter from a community-based organization verifying your contributions will receive higher preference)
✅ 5. One Personal Reference
    •    A letter describing your character, goals, and spirit for success
✅ 6. Optional: Certifications and Awards
    •    You may include copies of relevant certifications or awards for consideration

Gregory Wm. Branch Excellence in the Arts, Leadership, and/or Science Scholarship

Award Amount: $1000 for the 2025–2026 academic year.

In honor of Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch — a visionary leader, scientist, and lover of the arts — this scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Arts, Leadership, or Science. Each year, we will award a minimum of two $1,000 scholarships ($500 each semester) to deserving students who exemplify these qualities.

About Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, M.D., MBA, CPE, FACP

Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch is Vice President of Roberta’s House in Baltimore, Maryland, where he leads efforts to provide trauma-informed care and address grief as a public health service. Previously, Dr. Branch served for more than 20 years as the Director of Health and Human Services and Health Officer for Baltimore County.

A native of New York City, Dr. Branch graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the prestigious William Osler Internal Medicine Program.

In addition to his medical and public health achievements, Dr. Branch is a lifelong supporter of the arts. As a founder of the Unified Voices of Johns Hopkins — a group committed to bringing healing and harmony to the community — he has inspired countless people through the power of music and cultural connection.

Dr. Branch has also shared powerful life lessons with his sons, reminding them that they are always responsible for their Actions, Behaviors, Choices, and Decisions — the ABCs of Life. This message is the inspiration for our organization’s mission to support and encourage youth across the community.

Scholarship Purpose
This scholarship honors students who demonstrate outstanding achievement, commitment, and passion in one or more of the following:

✅ Leadership
✅ Science
✅ The Arts

1️⃣ Complete Scholar Profile
    •    The application form must be completed in full.
    •    A YouTube introduction video link must be included in the form.
2️⃣ One PDF file containing all of the following elements:
✅ Cover Page
    •    Include:    

    •    Name of Scholarship
    •    Head shot photo
    •    Full name
    •    High school
    •    Intended college
    •    GPA
    •    Intended college major
    •    Email address
    •    Instagram handle (if applicable)
    •    Cell phone number
•    Favorite Quote/ Personal Motto
✅ Transcript Upload
    •    High school transcript (Class of 2025 graduates)
    •    College transcript (if currently enrolled in college)

✅ Essay Response (500 words)
    •    Choose two of three available prompts (prompts provided separately).

    1.    Describe your excellence and achievements in Leadership, Science, or the Arts
    2.   Describe a time when your Actions, Behaviors, Choices, or Decisions had a positive impact on your life or others.
    3.    What future goals do you hope to achieve through your continued pursuit of excellence?
    •    Do not use ChatGPT or other AI tools to write your essay.
✅ Letter of Recommendation
    •    From a teacher, school counselor, or community leader