Beyond The Boroughs National Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Beyond The Boroughs
Start your college journey with Beyond The Boroughs
Application window
- Applications are accepted annually from January 15 through March 15.
Award information
- Selected scholars may receive up to $20,000 total, distributed as $5,000 per year for four years.
Who may apply
- This scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who demonstrate financial need and have been accepted to an accredited college or university.
How to prepare a strong application
Beyond The Boroughs receives many submissions each year, so putting together a careful, complete application will boost your chances. Use the guidance below to assemble a competitive packet.
Before you begin
- Review the information on our website about the scholarship’s mission and its founder, Tutan Reyes, so you understand how this opportunity differs from others.
- Read the entire application before you start, so you know what information and essays are required.
- Allow plenty of time to complete the application; do not wait until the last minute.
- Know your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is the number colleges use to assess financial need and is provided after you complete the FAFSA.
Completing the form
- Answer every question. If a question does not apply to you, enter “N/A.”
- Treat each essay like an important school assignment: plan, draft, and revise. Aim for clear, focused responses rather than trying to cover too many topics in one essay.
- Proofread carefully to avoid typos, grammar mistakes, or other careless errors — a polished application shows you are serious about this opportunity.
Final checks before submission
- Proofread thoroughly: use spell-check, read your answers aloud, and review multiple times to catch errors.
- Ask a parent, guardian, teacher, or counselor to review your application for completeness and clarity.
- Edit and re-read until you are confident every section is correct.
- Submit all completed forms online.
Guidelines for professional email communication
Because the Scholarship Committee receives many messages, professional email habits will help you make a positive impression. Below are practical rules to follow when contacting the committee or other college representatives.
Proofreading
- Compose email like a formal letter: it should be free of typos and grammatical errors.
- Read your message aloud and proofread it several times before sending.
Subject line
- Use a clear, specific subject line (for example: “Maria Lopez — Beyond The Boroughs Application” rather than “Question” or “help!!”).
Tone and style
- Avoid emojis, images, or informal formatting.
- Do not type in all capital letters (this reads as shouting).
- Limit punctuation like excessive exclamation points and avoid slang and abbreviations (e.g., use “for your information” instead of “fyi”).
- Include a concise, professional signature with your full name and a phone number so the recipient can reach you easily.
Brevity and layout
- Keep emails short and to the point.
- Use short paragraphs with empty lines between them to make the message easier to read.
Appropriate greetings and closings
- Use a polite greeting such as “Dear Scholarship Committee” or “To Whom It May Concern,” followed by a comma or colon.
- Close with a professional sign-off such as “Sincerely,” “Thank you,” “Best regards,” or “Regards.”
Additional best practices
- Check your email daily and reply within 24 hours when possible.
- Avoid sending or responding to emails while tired, upset, or distracted.
- Use a professional email address (your first and last name or first initial and last name). If that’s already taken, add a number or middle name (for example: jsmith32@gmail.com or johnrobert.smith@gmail.com).
- Wait to fill in the recipient field until you are confident the email is finished to avoid sending something prematurely.