UPO Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship Standards

Application Deadline: SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

The core commitment of United Planning Organization (UPO) is to unite people with opportunities in order to create thriving and self-sufficient residents. UPO began sponsorship of its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast in 1987 as a means for the Washington, DC community to join together around the ideals advanced by Dr. King. It is with those priorities in mind that in 1990 UPO began awarding college scholarships that are financed with proceeds from the Breakfast. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Mr. Joseph A. Beavers, a longtime UPO Board member and legendary District of Columbia labor leader. 

Joseph A. Beavers Scholarships are given to ambitious students who aspire to advance their lives through the pursuit of post-secondary education. Beavers’ recipients demonstrate strong academic performance, possess complementary attributes that reflect leadership and service, and champion the UPO mission and vision of a thriving community. Recipients persevere through adversity and recognize the value of higher education as a vehicle to achieving long-term success.  

Beavers’ alumni personify the District’s best and brightest students and represent the nation’s capital at some of the country’s most recognized universities. A few institutions of higher learning that recent recipients attend include NYU, Georgetown University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Bucknell University, Xavier University, Virginia State University, and University of Pittsburgh. 

2021 represents a significant milestone for the Beavers Scholarship; this year, UPO will have awarded $1,000,000 to nearly 200 local youth. 

We are welcoming applications from 2023 graduates.

2022 Income Eligibility Guidelines 

UPO is required to verify the income eligibility and DC residency of all scholarship applicants. Staff must document that recipients have a household income that is equal to or below 200% of the applicable federal poverty level for the current fiscal year (2022) and also that the recipient is a resident of Washington, DC. 2022 poverty levels from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are provided below. Applicants should note that the information provided on this form is solely for the purpose of determining whether applicants are eligible for this scholarship and will be kept confidential by UPO. The eligibility form must be filled out in its entirety and be accompanied by the corresponding documentation in order to be deemed complete. Failure to do so will result in the application being withdrawn from consideration. 

Service Provider:

Youth Services Division UPO/Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship Application

1649 Good Hope Road, SE

Washington, DC 20020

*applicant refers to "student"

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The Beavers Scholarship was established in 1990 to help subsidize the cost of post-secondary education for local DC students intent on earning a college degree

• Eligible candidates must be a high school junior attending a DC public school, a DC public charter school, or a DC private school.

• Eligible candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, a commitment to community service, and financial need

• Annual award of $2,500 for four years, totaling $10,000

• Recipients will be provided with internship opportunities and access to additional scholarship information

• Applications must be submitted no later than JUNE 3, 2022

• Scholarship finalists must be available for an in-person interview

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Candidates must be a current senior attending a DC public school, a DC public charter school, a DC private school, or have earned a G.E.D. within the past year

• Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

• Candidates must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to community service

• Candidates must enroll fulltime in an accredited 2-year or 4-year university in the United States within six (6) months of earning their high school diploma

SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS

• Paystubs within 60 days

• Most recent federal tax return, W-2 forms and related schedules, SNAP or TANF documentation, proof of SSI, etc. can be submitted as proof of income

• An unofficial copy of the applicant’s high school transcript or most recent report card with a clear indication of cumulative G.P.A.

• Two (2) letters of recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, or administrator

• Copy of valid school issued ID or valid Parent’s DC ID with home address listed.

Please have your recommenders​ fill these forms out and upload the scans here.

Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Please use this checklist to assist you in making sure the information on this application is complete and check the box as you complete each step in the application process. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please email questions to upobeavers@upo.org