About the program
Each year the CPS offers up to five scholarships to students who are enrolled in high school. These awards are determined on a competitive basis and require the submission of a personal statement and essay from the applicant. All eligible students are encouraged to participate in this process.
The CPS Scholars Program is funded through private and public donations and operated by the Cameroon Professional Society, Inc. as a public charity. This program was established to provide academic scholarship, leadership training and service opportunities to promising young Cameroonians.
On acceptance into the program, each scholar is awarded $500 to be used at any college or university of their choice. Scholars are also provided with the mentorship and nurturing that is required to excel in college and beyond. The program seeks to produce outstanding young men and women who will go on to pursue careers in the arts, sciences, public service or professional degrees in business, law and medicine, among others.
Mission
The mission of the CPS Scholars Program is to nurture a new generation of Cameroonian leaders in the fields of business, law, education, medicine, engineering, public service, among a wide variety of professions. Scholars also become well informed of the history, socio-economic and cultural affairs of impact to Cameroon.
Eligibility Requirements
The CPS Scholars program seeks to identify young Cameroonian high school students, enrolled within the United States, who will make significant contributions to the society-at-large. Applicants must have demonstrated academic excellence, must be participating in community service opportunities and should exhibit exceptional leadership potential. The applicant must be a Cameroonian either by birth or through naturalization. Students are also eligible to apply if at least one of her/his parents is Cameroonian by birth or through naturalization.
Each year, up to five outstanding students will be designated “CPS Scholars”. Each CPS Scholar is awarded a $500 scholarship to be disbursed in two installments of $250. Scholarship checks will be disbursed directly to the student when the CPS Scholarship Committee receives: confirmation that the student has been enrolled full time at the school identified in the application, for the first disbursement; and a record that the student has successfully completed the first semester, for the second disbursement. CPS Scholars may use their awards to pursue a degree in any academic discipline.
CPS Scholars are selected in the spring of each year. Applications will be screened during the month of May by an independent selection committee. In June, finalists are invited to participate in a telephone interview with the selection committee. Winning Scholars are selected on the basis of their applications and interviews with the CPS Scholars Committee. Award winners will be notified by the chairperson of the CPS Scholars Committee.
Application Form
The application form should be completed in full. Incomplete and/or illegible applications will be disqualified. Only one application may be submitted per applicant; applicants with multiple submissions will be disqualified.
Applicant’s Personal Statement
The Applicant’s Statement should include your reasons for deserving this award, a description of the applicant’s financial need, and your academic and career goals. Your statement should be 300-500 words (double spaced) in length. Be sure to include your name at the top of your statement.
Applicant’s Essay
The Applicant’s Essay should discuss the role which youths play in the development of Cameroon. Your essay should be 500 -1,000 words (double spaced) in length. Be sure to include your name at the top of your essay.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation from current or past instructors or other persons in a supervisory role familiar with your academic and financial qualifications should be included with the application. One letter must be from a current instructor.
Transcripts
Copies of your official high school and/or college transcript(s) should be submitted with the application in a sealed envelope.
Deadline
Return this completed form along with all requested materials by Friday June 1st, 2012, to be considered for the upcoming school year starting in September. Note that this is the final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for the CPS Scholars Program.
All application materials must be mailed in one package. All transcripts and letters of recommendations must not be sent under separate cover. Letters of recommendations must be in sealed envelopes. Unsealed letters of recommendation will be discarded. Incomplete, emailed or faxed applications will not be considered. All applications must be mailed to,
Selection of CPS Scholars
Winners will be selected anonymously (student name is removed from all application materials and student is assigned a code number) by a judging committee comprised of independent officers and affiliates of the CPS. The judges will evaluate eligible students’ high school records in relation to their goals, school and community service, financial need and other significant information.
Notifications
Applicants will be notified by email on receipt of a completed application package. Only finalists will be notified of their status in the competition. Notifications to finalists will be made by June 1st and each finalist is invited to participate in a telephone interview. Winners of the scholarship will be notified by June 15, and their names will be published on the CPS website. The award ceremony will be held during the CPS Distinguished Annual Congress in July. No materials will be returned to the candidate.
All award recipients participate in a weekend Leadership Development session in Washington D.C organized by the CPS. CPS will provide accommodations and lodging for the student and one parent only at the Congress hotel. During the Leadership Development session, students will interact closely with leading Cameroonian professionals, entrepreneurs, experts and scientists from various fields. Scholars will learn the fundamentals of leadership and participate in various activities designed to cultivate trust and respect in the classroom, at home and at the workplace.