History
The Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship was envisioned by now Mesa, AZ based entrepreneur Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr. for Maricopa County students who have been arrested or were formerly incarcerated; or who have incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents, to help them be able to afford to continue their education after high school. This vision started unexpectedly by Mr. Angell many years ago where Mr. Angell worked to gather and distribute funds to help those trying to better themselves and change their lives around and needed that second (or sometimes even first) chance to lift themselves up. Since the original vision by Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr. , this dream of helping students of the system has expanded to well beyond Mesa, AZ and Maricopa County, with a vision of helping students throughout the United States to thrive after high school.
Children with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents are many times less likely to even graduate high school, let alone attend ANY post-high school education; mostly due to financial constraints. Young adults that have been incarcerated, on probation or parole, or even just arrested during their high school years are in an even worse spot where they are not only less likely to be able to attend after high school higher education, but they are also at a higher risk of not getting middle class wage or above careers because of their arrest record and the fact that they don’t have post-high school education on top of it.
Funding
The allure of higher education is high, but paying the ever rising costs of higher education can be a daunting task and over the years many different grants, scholarships, and work-study programs have popped up; all targeted at different demographics, and many funded by some big names with high dollar amounts. Mr. Angell found that even with all these opportunities available there is still a gap in many areas, and one of the largest of the undeserved areas is for children that have gotten caught in, or in the aftermath of, the criminal justice system.
The Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship is funded directly by Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr. and through other funds received through donations and other fund raising efforts throughout Maricopa County and the United States.
Mr. Angell has made charitable contributions in the past years that were in excess of $31,000 and believes in local funds supporting local communities; so the Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship makes every effort to distribute Scholarship funds in the the regions of the United States that they were donated or fund raised. So, as an example, every effort is made by Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr. and the Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship to ensure Maricopa County raised funds are distributed to students within Maricopa County, AZ; or Hamilton County, FL funds are distributed in Hamilton County, FL.
The Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship is awarded every year in June and varies between $500 – $5,000+ per recipient based on available for distribution funds at the time; and may be awarded to multiple recipients at the discretion of The Christopher Angell Foundation and Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr. The cutoff for submissions is the last day of April at 11:59:59 P.M. Arizona time each year for that years June distribution.
Eligibility
Sound alluring? Wondering if you can apply? You are eligible to apply for this scholarship if…
1. You are a graduating United States high school senior that has been accepted into college or other post-high school higher education program in the United States.
OR
2. You are a current United States college or other United States post-high school higher education student that has a high school diploma or a general education development (GED) certificate from a United States Program and hasn’t reached their last year in college or the or other post-high school higher education program.
***Post-high school higher education includes, but is not limited to, formal programs such as trade schools and technical institutions.
In addition to the above qualifications, you must also meet the following qualifications…
- Have significant unmet financial need.
- Be a born in the United States Citizen, or became a United States Citizen while still a minor.
- You currently have an on record arrest in the united states having been accused of a felony or significant misdemeanor, and can demonstrate that you have made the legal required compliance (if applicable) and that you do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. OR your biological mother or father was incarcerated while you were still a minor.
Submission Guidelines
To apply for the Christopher Angell Foundation Scholarship you must submit a 500-word minimum essay that tells us what your situation is and what you have done to make your situation not define you; and why you feel you should receive the scholarship.
Your Submission Privacy
Due to the nature of our fund and its recipients, as detailed in our Privacy Policy, Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr, The Christopher Angell Foundation, its associates and affiliates will never disclose, post, or otherwise make available any personally identifiable information on any of our participants or recipients, or any submissions, to anyone (including any law enforcement or private investigation agencies) outside of Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr, The Christopher Angell Foundation, or its associates or affiliates; and all submissions are destroyed when no longer needed by the foundation.
Winner Selection
Mr. Christopher Michael Angell Sr and The Christopher Angell Foundation committee will review all applications and contact the recipient winner(s) by the end of June each year. Once contacted the winner has two weeks to respond so the money can be transferred to their school’s financial aid department. If no response a new winner will be selected.
