The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship is a beacon of hope and support for students with autism and their families. This scholarship, established by The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., was created in memory of Avonte Oquendo, a 14-year-old boy with autism who tragically disappeared from his Queens public school in 2013 and was later discovered to have drowned in the East River.
The outpouring of support during the search for Avonte was unprecedented, and in his memory, The Perecman Firm decided to honor him by supporting the autism community. Since 2015, the scholarship has provided financial assistance to students with autism, helping to offset the costs of college or graduate school.
Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship Details
The scholarship offers up to $5,000 to students diagnosed with autism or those with a close family member diagnosed with autism. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited university or college as an undergraduate or graduate student. Selection is based on the essay and academic transcripts, with no criteria based on need or merit.
Scholarship Details:
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited university or vocational college.
- Applicants or a close family member must have been diagnosed with some form of autism, including Asperger’s Syndrome.
Application Requirements:
- Submission of most recent official or unofficial transcript.
- A 500- to 1,000-word essay on one of the following topics:
- Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle as a person with autism that others might not face.
- Explain how your loved one’s autism has affected you and how you have adapted to help them.
- Talk about what you believe is the biggest obstacle holding back people with autism today.
The scholarship aims to ease the financial burden of higher education for students affected by autism. It reflects The Perecman Firm’s commitment to supporting the autistic community in memory of Avonte Oquendo.
For more information and to apply, please visit The Perecman Firm’s official scholarship page.
Who can apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To qualify for the Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Enrollment Status: Applicant must be currently enrolled in or accepted into an accredited college or vocational school in the United States.
Connection to Autism: Applicant must have been diagnosed with autism (including Asperger’s syndrome) or have an immediate family member with autism.
Academic Status: Applicants must provide an academic transcript (official or unofficial) to demonstrate their educational background.
Essay Requirement: Applicants must submit an essay detailing their autism-related experiences.
Essay Topics
Applicants must submit an essay on one of the following topics:
- Tell us about a time when you had to overcome an obstacle as a person with autism that other people would not have had to face.
- Explain how your loved one’s autism has affected you and how you have adapted to help them.
- What do you think is the biggest obstacle holding back people with autism today?
How to Apply
1. Write an Essay
Applicants should submit a 500-1,000 word essay on one of the following topics:
- Describe a time when you overcame an obstacle as a person with autism that other people would not have had to face.
- Explain how your loved one’s autism has affected you and how you have adapted to help them.
- Talk about what you think is the biggest challenge facing people with autism today and how society can address it.
- This essay allows applicants to share their unique experiences and perspectives, which helps the selection committee understand their journey.
2. Provide Transcripts
Applicants must submit their most recent transcript (official or unofficial) as part of the application.
3. Submit Online Application
The application must be submitted through the official Perecman Firm website by the deadline.
Conclusion
The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship is a meaningful opportunity for students affected by autism to receive financial assistance while also raising awareness about the challenges they face. Whether you have autism or have a close family member with autism, this scholarship recognizes your experiences and provides support to help you achieve your educational goals.
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