MSP Lorenzo Edwards - TwInspire Scholarship

2024-2025 Academic Year Award

The Lorenzo Edwards – TwInspire Scholarship will award one annual scholarship to an undergraduate student who has experienced foster care, is currently in foster care, or is a former foster youth.

Lorenzo Edwards was born in 1925 and raised in Warren, Arkansas. He was one of ten children and held a talent for building things. As a cement finisher, he traveled the United States in search of opportunities. His work on parks and federal government buildings is still present to this day. His most notable passion was being a foster parent for more than 50 years. He helped rear nearly a dozen children who lacked family support and supported even more in his neighborhood. In his final years, while living in Compton, he mentored and fathered both Tae and Tray as well as two of their siblings. His everlasting impact on their lives has created in them the need to build community and lead by serving first. Lorenzo died in 2014 and will always be remembered for his sacrificial love and passion for his community.

About the Donor:
Demontea (Tae) Thompson and Demonte (Tray) Thompson are emancipated foster youth twins from Compton, California. Tae and Tray come from a family of 10 siblings and they have dedicated their lives to improving services for foster and adopted youth. Their passion project, TwInspire, aims to educate young adults to become financially literate, college ready, and work bound. They advocate for social change and collaborate with several non-profits in their community. Tray currently works in finance and Tae works in higher education. Their hope is to see more young adults with challenging upbringings set and accomplish their academic, professional, and social goals. Please visit Twinspire.org for more information.

Eligibility Requirements::

  • Open to continuing CSUN students who have experienced foster care, is currently in foster care or is a former foster youth.
  • Continuing undergraduate students must have a GPA of at least a 2.8.
  • Undergraduate students must have 36 units or more completed at CSUN.
  • Undergraduate students must enroll in 12 units or more during the Fall & Spring terms of the award year.
  • Graduate students must have a GPA of at least a 3.0.
  • Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 6 units (8 units preferred) or more during the Fall & Spring terms of the award year.
  • Graduate students must have 8 units or more completed at CSUN.
  • Must have a FAFSA or California Dream Act application on file for the upcoming academic year.
  • Undergraduate students must have 36 units or more completed at CSUN.
  • Must have an active membership in at least one Associated Students club or organization.
  • Must demonstrate exceptional leadership and community service.
  • One letter of recommendation must be requested through the my Matador Scholarship system.
  • Must upload a copy of your student resume. A student resume is a detailed record of your personal and educational information. It includes the name of your school/college, coursework, projects (if any) undertaken, and awards. The resume may also contain additional information like your extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, job experiences (if any), hobbies, etc.


Please note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview about your individual situation.

Award
$2,000
Deadline
05/01/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. I have experienced foster care, or am currently in foster care, or am a former foster youth.
  2. I am an active member in at least one Associated Students club or organization.
  3. Please list the Associated Students club/s or organization/s that you are currently involved in.
  4. I have completed and submitted a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application for the upcoming academic year.
  5. Describe a challenging moment in your life and explain what you learned from that experience and how it has made you a better or stronger person today.
  6. Please describe your community service and extracurricular experiences. Describe how your participation has exemplified your exceptional leadership skills and how you have made a difference in your community.
  7. Please upload: A copy of your student resume/CV. A student resume is a detailed record of your personal and educational information. It includes the name of your school/college, coursework, projects (if any) undertaken, and awards. The resume may also contain additional information like your extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, job experiences (if any), hobbies, etc.
  8. [MSP 1] Please request: A letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, counselor, or community leader - who can attest to your meritorious performance and personal strengths and can assess your potential for academic and career success. The letter should include a signature, title, and contact information. The letter should be addressed to: *Award Selection Committee*.
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