TCGi Foundation Dawna J. Colbert and John Fitzpatrick Scholarships in Computing Studies | Eligibility and How to Apply

The TCGi Foundation Dawna J. Colbert and John Fitzpatrick Scholarships in Computing Studies are two $10,000 awards offered by Technology Concept Groups International (TCGi) Foundation, an organisation dedicated to connecting Black women and girls to meaningful opportunities in technology and computing. Each scholarship honours a beloved member of the TCGi family: Dawna J. Colbert, who passed away in 2017, and John Fitzpatrick, who passed in 2021. Together, these awards represent a commitment to keeping their legacies alive by investing in the next generation of Black women in tech.

This scholarship is specifically designed for Black women pursuing degrees in computing or information technology, either as graduating high school seniors heading into higher education or as current college and graduate students already on that path. It is a domestic US scholarship, targeting residents of six states and Washington D.C., making it highly focused and therefore less competitive than national programmes. If you fall within the geographic and academic requirements, this is an opportunity worth pursuing seriously.

This post covers everything you need to know about both scholarships, including full eligibility criteria, required documents, step-by-step application guidance, key dates and important tips to help you put together the strongest possible application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

There are two separate scholarships with slightly different criteria. Read both carefully to determine which one applies to you.

Dawna J. Colbert Scholarship (for graduating high school seniors):

• Citizenship/Residency: Applicant must be a current resident of Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C.
• Academic status: Must be a graduating high school senior in the year of the award (2022).
• Academic qualifications: Must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to a “B” average).
• Intended major: Must plan to major in Computing or Information Technology at a two-year or four-year accredited institution.
• Conflict of interest: Applicants may not be related to any TCGi Foundation Board of Directors or staff member.
• Event attendance: Winners must attend the Inaugural John Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Classic in person at Commonwealth National Golf Club, Philadelphia, PA on Monday, 20 June 2022.
• Community commitment: Recipients must commit to participating in at least two TCGi Foundation events during the 2022 to 2023 academic year.

John Fitzpatrick Scholarship (for current college and graduate students):

• Citizenship/Residency: Applicant must be a current resident of Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C.
• Academic status: Must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college or university in the year of the award.
• Academic qualifications: Must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Declared major: Must have officially declared a major in Computing or Information Technology.
• Conflict of interest: Applicants may not be related to any TCGi Foundation Board of Directors or staff member.
• Event attendance: Winners must attend the Inaugural John Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Classic in person at Commonwealth National Golf Club, Philadelphia, PA on Monday, 20 June 2022.

Eligible Countries

This scholarship is open to residents of specific US states and is a domestic United States scholarship only.

• United States of America (residents of the following locations only):
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Washington D.C.

Applicants residing outside these locations are not eligible for this scholarship regardless of citizenship status.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is restricted to the following fields:

• Computing
• Information Technology

Any major that falls clearly within computing or IT at an accredited two-year or four-year institution will qualify. If your intended major sits adjacent to these fields (such as data science, cybersecurity, software engineering or computer science), confirm its eligibility by emailing scholarship@technologyconcepts.com before applying. 

Benefits

• Scholarship award: $10,000 per recipient, awarded directly to the student upon confirmation of enrolment at an accredited institution.
• Minimum awards per year: At least two scholarships are awarded annually (one per scholarship fund), with the possibility of more.
• Disbursement condition: Funds will be awarded only after the recipient provides proof of registration at their institution. The award is not paid in advance of confirmed enrolment.

Note: This scholarship does not appear to cover tuition in full for most programmes. It is a one-time merit award rather than a full funding package. There is no mention of living allowance, travel, health insurance or visa support. 

Required Documents

The following documents are required. All items must be uploaded with your application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed under any circumstances.

For graduating high school seniors (Dawna J. Colbert Scholarship):

1. Completed application form with all fields answered.
2. Letter of application addressed to the Scholarship Committee (maximum one single-spaced page, typed), covering who you are, your college plans, intended major and anticipated start date.
3. Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers, administrators, counsellors, employers or individuals with significant knowledge of your experience and involvement.
4. Proof of college acceptance (a copy of your acceptance letter is required before funds can be released).
5. Official and recent high school transcript showing your cumulative GPA and class standing or rank. Photocopies are acceptable if signed by a guidance counsellor or principal.
6. Personal essay of at least 500 words, double-spaced, in 12pt Times New Roman font, answering the prompt: “What do you hope to accomplish in the future? How will pursuing a career in technology help you accomplish those goals?” The essay must be free of spelling and grammatical errors.

For current college and graduate students (John Fitzpatrick Scholarship):

1. Completed application form with all fields answered.
2. Letter of application addressed to the Scholarship Committee (maximum one single-spaced page, typed), covering who you are, your current major, career plans and goals.
3. Two letters of recommendation from college instructors, advisors, counsellors, employers or individuals with significant knowledge of your experience and involvement.
4. Proof of current student enrolment. Required before funds can be released.
5. Official and recent college transcript dated no earlier than May 2022, showing cumulative GPA.
6. Personal essay of at least 500 words, double-spaced, in 12pt Times New Roman font, answering the prompt: “Tell us about your Computing and Technology journey. How has your pursuit of a degree in technology shaped who you are?” The essay must contain no grammatical errors.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Check that you meet every criterion for the correct scholarship (high school senior or current college/graduate student), including residency, GPA, intended major and no conflict of interest with TCGi staff or board members.

Step 2: Gather all required documents before you begin the online application. The application form requires you to upload documents as you fill it in, so having everything ready in advance will save you time and prevent incomplete submissions.

Step 3: Request your letters of recommendation early. Give your recommenders at least two to three weeks’ notice before the deadline. Brief them on your academic goals, your interest in computing and the purpose of this scholarship so their letters are specific and relevant.

Step 4: Request your official transcripts from your school or college registrar. For high school seniors, ensure the document includes your cumulative GPA and class standing, and that it is either officially sealed or signed by a guidance counsellor or principal. For college students, confirm the transcript is dated no earlier than May 2022.

Step 5: Write your personal essay. Answer the prompt relevant to your scholarship category. Ensure it is at least 500 words, typed, double-spaced and formatted in 12pt Times New Roman. Proofread carefully for spelling and grammar before uploading.

Step 6: Write your letter of application addressed to the Scholarship Committee. Keep it to one single-spaced page. Cover who you are, your educational plans or career goals, your intended major and why you are a strong candidate for this award.

Step 7: Complete the financial information section of the application form honestly. List your expected expenses per semester and any other financial assistance you are receiving. This information does not affect your eligibility but helps the committee understand your circumstances.

Step 8: Complete the online application form at the official TCGi Foundation portal, upload all required documents, check every mandatory confirmation box in the checklist section and review all entries before submitting.

Step 9: Submit your application before Friday, 3 June 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed under any circumstances.

Step 10: If selected as a semi-finalist, you will be contacted by Wednesday, 8 June 2022 to schedule a virtual interview with the Scholarship Committee. Prepare to speak confidently about your academic background, technology interests and future goals.

Step 11: If selected as a winner, confirm your ability to attend the Inaugural John Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Classic in person at Commonwealth National Golf Club, Philadelphia, PA on Monday, 20 June 2022. Attendance is required in order to receive your award.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The deadline for both scholarships is Friday, 3 June 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted. No exceptions are made under any circumstances.

Selection Criteria

Beyond meeting the basic eligibility requirements, the Scholarship Committee will assess applicants on the following:

• Academic performance: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, but stronger academic records will be competitive. Transcripts are reviewed as part of the process.
• Clarity of purpose: Your letter of application and personal essay must show a clear, genuine connection between your goals and a career in technology. Vague or generic responses are unlikely to stand out.
• Personal narrative: The essay prompt for college students asks about your technology journey specifically. Committees respond well to authentic, specific stories rather than general statements about the importance of tech.
• Community and extracurricular involvement: The application asks for information on academic honours, community service, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Strong involvement signals leadership potential and a well-rounded character.
• Financial need awareness: While not explicitly a need-based scholarship, the application collects detailed financial information. This may play a contextual role in how the committee evaluates applications from students with significant financial need.
• Commitment to the TCGi community: High school senior applicants must commit to attending at least two TCGi Foundation events during the 2022 to 2023 academic year. Willingness to give back is part of the scholarship values.

Important Tips

1. Start your essay early. The prompts are personal and reflective, and the best responses take time to develop. A rushed 500-word essay written the night before the deadline will rarely be competitive against one that has been drafted, reviewed and revised.
2. Choose recommenders who know your academic and personal strengths well. A recommendation from a teacher who has watched you grow over time is far more powerful than one from someone with a prestigious title who barely knows you.
3. Be specific in your letter of application. Name the institution you are attending or planning to attend, your exact intended major, and why computing matters to your future. Generic letters do not serve you well in a scholarship review process.
4. Check every upload before submitting. Many applications are disqualified not because of weak content but because a document was missing, corrupted or not properly uploaded. Open each uploaded file to confirm it is readable before you hit submit.
5. Contact the committee with questions early, not on deadline day. If anything is unclear about the requirements, email scholarship@technologyconcepts.com well in advance. Staff are unlikely to be responsive in the final hours before the deadline closes.
6. Review the checklist at the end of the application form carefully. All six items in the mandatory checklist must be confirmed before your application will be considered. Do not leave any box unchecked.
7. Prepare for your virtual interview in advance. If you reach semi-finalist stage, you will have a short window between being notified (8 June) and the interview date (11 June). Think now about how you would describe your journey in computing, your goals and what this scholarship would mean for your education.
8. Be transparent about your finances in the financial section of the form. The instructions make clear that other financial assistance will not affect your eligibility, so there is no benefit to omitting grants, loans or other scholarships you are receiving. Honesty builds credibility with the committee.
9. Respect the in-person attendance requirement. If you are selected as a winner, you must attend the Golf Classic event in Philadelphia on 20 June 2022. If there is any doubt about your ability to attend, resolve that before you apply rather than after being selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scholarship open to international students?

The scholarship requires applicants to be residents of Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C. Whether international students with residency in these states are eligible is not explicitly stated. 

Can I apply for both the Dawna J. Colbert and John Fitzpatrick scholarships at the same time? 

No. Each scholarship is for a distinct applicant group. The Dawna J. Colbert Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors, and the John Fitzpatrick Scholarship is for current college and graduate students. You can only apply for the one that matches your current academic status.

What happens if my GPA is just below 3.0?

The guidelines state a minimum of 3.0 as a hard requirement. There is no mention of exceptions or a rounding policy. If your GPA is below this threshold, you do not currently meet the eligibility criteria. 

Is the $10,000 award paid directly to the student or to the institution?

The guidelines state that scholarship funds will be awarded to the student, but only upon evidence of registration at an accredited higher educational institution. Confirm the exact payment process by emailing the committee.

Can I apply if my computing-related major has not yet been formally declared?

For high school seniors, you must have a desired major in computing or IT, which suggests intent is sufficient at that stage. For current college students, the guidelines state that you must have declared a major, meaning formal declaration is required. If you are in between declaring, contact the committee to clarify your situation before applying.

What counts as a TCGi Foundation event for the community commitment requirement? 

The application guidelines state that recipients must commit to at least two TCGi Foundation events during the 2022 to 2023 academic year. The specific nature of those events is not detailed in the available information. 

Is the scholarship renewable for future academic years? 

The guidelines do not mention renewal. The award appears to be a one-time payment of $10,000 per recipient.

What should I do if I cannot attend the Golf Classic in person on 20 June 2022? 

In-person attendance at the event is stated as a requirement for receiving the award. If you have concerns about attending, contact the committee at scholarship@technologyconcepts.com as early as possible to discuss your circumstances. Based on the current guidelines, there is no indication that exceptions will be made.

Official Link

The official application is administered by the TCGi Foundation. To apply for this scholarship, click the link below:

https://scholarship.tcgifoundation.org/

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