How to Become A Scholar
How to Apply
Eligibility Requirements
Scholarship applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and qualify financially:
U.S. Citizen
Be a U.S citizen or permanent resident. Students will be required to provide proof of citizenship.
Essex County, NJ Resident
Have a primary residence in Essex County, New Jersey. Priority will be given to students in the City of Newark, Irvington, Orange Township, and East Orange school districts, although students across all of Essex County will be considered.
Financial Need
- Come from households earning less than $75,000 annually (for a household of four) and have minimal assets.
- Qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Face financial hardship.
11th Grade in High School
Be a current 11th grade student and attend a public high school or charter-public high school in Essex County.
3-Week Commitment
All Applicants must be able to participate fully in the three-week Summer Academy to be held during a time period between July 6, 2025 and July 25, 2025.
Selection Criteria
Strong candidates will demonstrate outstanding character and academic achievement:
Academic Excellence
They have demonstrated a strong academic performance. They have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale or have clearly demonstrated an upward academic trajectory.
College Aspiration
They are excited about learning, driven to attend, and motivated to graduate from college.
Leadership
Their drive and work ethic help create positive changes within their communities and schools; they play an integral role as leaders within their homes through significant family responsibilities.
Perseverance to Succeed
They inspire others through their perseverance in the face of challenges and will to succeed.
Cohort Dynamics
They value collective effort, embrace opportunities to learn from each other, and strive to make a positive contribution to a team by:
- Treating others with respect
- Demonstrating self-awareness of how one’s words, attitude and responses impact others
- Taking ownership and responsibility for personal actions
- Possessing the maturity and personal integrity to do what is right
Limitless Achieve Courageous Believe Excellence Purpose Dream Gifted Dynamic Aspire Succeed Determined
Documents Needed to Apply
To complete the Cooperman Scholarship application, you will need the below documents:
- High School Transcript – includes 9th and 10th grades
- Verification of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status
- Financial Verification (2023 Income Taxes OR Non-Filer Form)
- A full-faced photo
- Optional: Letter of recommendation (Recommended if your GPA is below 3.0)