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| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Papy Wellington Saygbay, “Your Gifts Will Make Room For You” Scholarship |
| Host Sponsor / Organization | L.I.T.E. (Lifting Individuals Through Education) |
| Eligible Nationalities | Not stated as citizenship-based |
| Target Student Level | High School Senior (Dallas-Fort Worth area) |
| Financial Coverage | $1,000, paid in two installments (50% upon proof of acceptance/registration; 50% after passing 1st-semester grades) |
| Minimum GPA Requirement | 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale or equivalent) |
| Application Deadline | March 15 (Annual) |
| Official Website | Submitted via email to [email protected] (application materials available through L.I.T.E. and area school district resource pages) https://litesaves.org/scholarships/ |
Overview & Value
The Papy Wellington Saygbay, “Your Gifts Will Make Room For You” Scholarship is a $1,000 award administered by L.I.T.E. (Lifting Individuals Through Education) for Dallas-Fort Worth African American high school seniors planning a career in the Fine Arts ā including fields like singing, film production, dance, acting, writing, photography, and gaming. Unlike a lump-sum award, the $1,000 is paid in two installments: 50% once the recipient provides proof of college acceptance and registration, and the remaining 50% after their first-semester grades come back passing and are sent to L.I.T.E.’s point of contact.
Differentiating fact: most general scholarship listings describe the application as essay-plus-recommendation-letters, but the actual official requirements include something far less common: a YouTube video link, no more than 5 minutes long, displaying the applicant’s artistic gift and explaining how they plan to change their chosen industry through a Fine Arts career. This video component isn’t mentioned on several aggregator sites covering this scholarship. A second overlooked detail: Papy Saygbay is one of two sibling scholarships administered by L.I.T.E. ā the companion Victoria Merchant Saygbay ā Lifting Individuals Through Education Scholarship uses the same $1,000, two-installment structure and the same DFW-senior eligibility base, but is for students majoring in Education (not Fine Arts) and requires a 2.75 GPA (not 2.5) ā a student interested in one should check whether they might actually be a better fit for the other.
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Nationality & Residency Requirements
The Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship application doesn’t publish a US citizen requirement. Instead, eligibility is based on race/ethnicity and regional connection: applicants must be a currently enrolled African American male or female senior attending high school in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area.
Academic & GPA Eligibility Requirements
The Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship GPA requirement is a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Beyond GPA, applicants must:
- Be planning to major in Fine Arts and pursue a career in the arts ā the Foundation specifically lists singer, film producer, dancer, actor, writer, photographer, and gaming as example career paths.
- Submit a complete application, since incomplete applications are not considered for review under any circumstances.
- Attend a required structured interview ā applicants must be present at this interview to remain under consideration; failing to attend removes the applicant from consideration entirely.
Application Materials Needed
Before the March 15 deadline, gather the following, all submitted together in one single email:
- Completed application form.
- A single digital, high-resolution photo of the applicant.
- Two letters of recommendation ā these can come from a professor or school administrator, or from a person in the community (such as a minister, community affiliate, or chapter advisor) who is familiar with the applicant.
- Official transcript, confirming your GPA meets the 2.5 minimum.
- An essay, no more than 1,000 words, typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
- A YouTube video link, no more than 5 minutes long, displaying your artistic gift and explaining how you plan to change the industry through a career in Fine Arts.
Step-by-Step How to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility ā currently enrolled African American DFW-area high school senior, minimum 2.5 GPA, and plans to major in Fine Arts with a career in the arts.
- Consider whether the sibling Victoria Merchant Saygbay Scholarship (for Education majors, 2.75 GPA) might actually be the better fit if your intended major doesn’t align with Fine Arts.
- Prepare your essay (1,000 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) reflecting on your artistic goals and background.
- Record and upload your YouTube video (5 minutes maximum) showcasing your artistic gift and your vision for changing the industry.
- Request your two letters of recommendation, from a professor/administrator or a community figure who knows you well.
- Gather your official transcript and a high-resolution digital photo of yourself.
- Compile everything ā application, photo, transcript, essay, and recommendation letters ā into a single email, and send it to [email protected] before the March 15 deadline.
- Prepare for and attend the required structured interview if selected for further consideration; missing this interview disqualifies your application.
- If awarded, submit proof of college acceptance and registration to receive your first $500 installment, then submit passing first-semester grades to receive the remaining $500.’
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship?
The published criteria don’t reference citizenship or visa status. Eligibility is based on being a currently enrolled African American high school senior in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, rather than immigration status.
Is the Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship renewable for all 4 years of undergraduate study?
No, it’s a one-time $1,000 award, paid in two installments tied to enrollment confirmation and first-semester academic performance, rather than a scholarship that continues automatically across multiple years.
What is the minimum GPA required to qualify for the Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship?
You need a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). This is notably lower than the 2.75 GPA required for L.I.T.E.’s sibling Victoria Merchant Saygbay Scholarship, which serves Education majors instead of Fine Arts majors.
For more local grants, merit awards, and regional funding across all 50 states, check out our master USA State Scholarships Directory.
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