Bassilios Scholarship for Education

Overview

The Coptic Educational Foundation (CEF) is pleased to offer the “CEF – Bassilios Graduate Scholarship - Educational Counseling Internship” as a merit-based internship serving the foundation’s mission to reach out to every student and to help them achieve their full academic and professional potential. This scholarship is established to remember and honor Dr. Bassilios for his legacy to help others. Dr. Maurice Bassilios, born on September 25, 1932 and passed away on June 30, 2017, became a very successful Plastic Surgeon and was always ready to help others to continue and excel in their education as he did when came to the USA in 1965.

As so, CEF is committed to supporting a generation of promising Coptic American youth as they embark on their higher education journey in the top US universities in the specific field of Educational Counseling.

This program is an unprecedented initiative by a Coptic nonprofit organization supporting higher education. The aim of this initiative is to facilitate exceptional intellectual development and character building of young Coptic Americans who are passionate about education.

Number of Awards

This scholarship is awarded annually to one Coptic American student applying to a master graduate program at one of the top schools in the US. The amount of the scholarship is set at $2,000 during the first year with a paid internship at $20/hour, paid directly to the awardee over the course of his/her studies.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a Coptic Orthodox, active servant in the Coptic Church, and residing in the US.

• Possess an Undergraduate degree from a U.S. university or college.

• Have already applied to one of the approved universities (below) and have been admitted.

• Have been accepted in a graduate program within the field of Educational Counseling, Higher Education and Student Affairs, Student Development, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, etc.

• Actively involved in volunteering, church service or other extracurricular activities.

• Be able to demonstrate an awareness of and commitment to the Coptic educational needs.

Approved Universities

• University of Southern California

• Harvard

• Yale

• Stanford

• Cornell University

• Azusa Pacific University

• University of San Diego

• University of San Francisco

• California State University, Long Beach

• San Diego State University

• California State University, Northridge

• California State University, Fullerton

• California Polytechnic State University- San Luis Obispo

• Stanford University

• Claremont College

• Pomona College

• University of California – Los Angeles

• University of California – Berkeley

• University of California – Irvine

• University of California – San Diego

• University of California- Riverside

Awardee Commitments

Once awarded the internship, the awardee will be assigned a mentor who will be following up with the awardee in order to provide guidance and ensure successful academic achievement.

Under the supervision of the assigned mentor, the awardee is also expected to work for CEF to support its services and activities at the rate of $20/hour for a minimum of 10 hours per week during their time leading to their graduation from the designated university

Finally, the awardee is recommended to pursue a PhD career where she/ he can reach the full academic level and to guide CEF into the future.

Application Requirements

An applicant should complete and submit an application form (see link below) and provide the following documentation as part of the application process:

1. A Personal Statement explaining the applicant’s suitability for the scholarship to serve the Coptic Youths, the applicant’s short and long term career and personal goals, and how does the applicant’s professional identity align with CEF career and personal goals? (500 word minimum).

2. An essay responding to this question: “Why you selected the field of Education Counseling and how will you use the knowledge and expertise to help Coptic youths?” (500 word minimum).

3. Two recommendation letters from credible people who have a close relationship with the applicant and are aware of their character traits and personal development.

4. Copy of Undergraduate Unofficial Transcript.

5. Copy of letter of acceptance to university.

Application and Decision Timeline

Application Deadline: June 6th, 2021
Interviews: June 15-30, 2021
Final Decision: June 30, 2021
Award Ceremony at awardee’s residing church: Mid July 2021.

Award and Selection Process

CEF retains the right to change or terminate this program at any time. CEF is not responsible for applications lost, misplaced, or delayed through the mail or other delivery processes. Once submitted, the application becomes the property of CEF. All information is kept confidential.