BE THE LIGHT® Scholarship Application

We are pleased to invite high school students who are seeking to enroll in a private school to apply for an BE THE LIGHT® Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes and honors the BE THE LIGHT® spirit of Ari J. Arteaga. Ari was a beacon of light for everyone who knew him. He was a loving son, older brother, and good friend. He was a student at Christopher Columbus High School where he played football and baseball. More importantly, he had a heart for service and touched the lives of many with his natural ability to make people feel cared for. He empowered and brought out the best in others. He never put himself above anyone. He had nothing but joy and enthusiasm for life. All these characteristics are the basis of this scholarship.

BE THE LIGHT Scholarship Eligibility:

Student must meet the following requirements:

NOTE: Prior to applying to the Ari J. Arteaga Foundation for financial aid, applicant must:

1. Be approved and awarded by one of the following state grants/scholarships for the current school year.
     1. Step Up
     2. AAA
     3. McKay (if applicable) must meet school financial aid requirements

2. Applicant must also receive school’s financial aid.
(ALL financial aid award letters must be submitted with the BTL Scholarship application.)

3. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0. –
We will take into consideration a lower GPA for the first year the student applicant experienced an unforeseen hardship that caused their GPA to be affected. Unforeseen hardship – Death of an immediate family member, accident, home displacement/homelessness. Must have explanatory letter. Student must show proof of a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the 2 years prior to hardship.

4. Has good conduct the past two school year. (Past year for renewal applicant)

5. Has not missed more than four days of school the past two school year. (One year for renewal applicant)
Unless the student or family member has experienced a sudden illness or chronic ailment.
     – Must have explanatory letter.

6. Has actively participated in some level of community service in the past two year. (Past year for renewal applicant)
     – Provide proof in the form of a letter from the organization or the school including student applicant’s name, number of hours served and who they served.

7. If involved in an extracurricular/after school activity (sports, arts, school club, tutoring, mission group, etc.) student applicant must be sponsored.

Student and/or his/her family is currently experiencing a financial hardship due to at least one of following:

1. Sudden illness or chronic ailment affecting the health of the student or an immediate family member, which has resulted in a loss of income.
2. Low-income household dependent on number of dependents.

The following documents will have to be provided at the end of the application:

Both new and renewal applicants will need to provide the following documents:

1. Copy of the financial aid award letter from Step Up, AAA, and/or McKay (must include the amount awarded). Your application may be submitted prior to this letter being received. However, it must be submitted no later than July 15th via email to scholarship@ariartegafoundation.org. 
2. Copy of the School’s Financial Aid approval letter (must include the amount granted). Your application may be submitted prior to this letter being received. However, it must be submitted no later than July 15th via email to scholarship@ariartegafoundation.org. 
3. Copy of any other financial aid/scholarship awards/letters received.
4. Copy of official school transcripts or report card to verify GPA and school attendance.
5. Proof in the form of a letter or form from the organization or the school including student applicant’s name, number of hours served and who they served.

New applicants will need to provide the following documents: Print forms for 1 – 4 below.

1. Student Applicant Personal Essay – (Click here to PRINT FORM)
2. Explanation of Financial Hardship – (Click here to PRINT FORM)
3. Two Letters of Recommendation – one from school and one personal.  It can be two from school, but it cannot be two personal letters.  (Click here to PRINT FORM)
4. Authorization and Consent for Release of Financial Aid Documents and Personal Information Form –  (Click here to PRINT FORM)

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of application, essay, financial need, scholastic excellence, community service and activities, and letters of recommendation.

Please click below whether you are a new or returning applicant.