CLD Scholarship Track

Are you interested in the CLD Scholarship Track?

Each year, during the Minority Achievers Awards & Scholarship Gala, the Center for Leadership Development has the privilege of awarding distinguished high school alumni with scholarships from our college and university partners for Indianapolis Youth Development. Over $4.6 million in full and partial scholarships dollars were awarded to CLD Alumni in 2022.

CLD Scholarship Track

If you are a senior (12th grade) in high school and you have completed the following three programs, you are qualified to apply for a CLD College and University Partner scholarship:

Successfully complete Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project
Successfully complete College Prep Program
Attend and participate in Emerging Scholars: Key to College Admissions Day

*The Center for Leadership Development College Prep Conference and College Fair is NOT a qualifier for CLD College and University Partner scholarships and may not serve as an alternative to any of the programs listed above. Successful completion of all three programs does not guarantee a scholarship.

Guidelines for Application Packets

Complete application packets must include the materials listed below:

Completed scholarship application (electronic fillable form): check out our College and University Partner requirements before getting started by clicking here
Two (2) letters of recommendation: One recommendation must be written by a member of your high school’s administration or counselor, the second recommendation may be written by a representative from one of the following categories: Department Head or Faculty Member, Civic Leader, Clergyperson, Political, etc. but may not be a family member. Letters should be printed on letterhead, signed and sent electronically as a PDF.
Resume: a typed resume listing school and community activities with leadership positions, employment history (if applicable) and organizational memberships beginning with freshman year in high school to current date.
Essay: two (2) page essay (12 point font, double spaced, MLA format) answering the following question, “how has one or more of CLD’s Principles for Success prepared you for college and your future career?”
Official transcript (transcripts may also be mailed to the CLD office): must included original signatures from school officials and/or the school seal/stamp. Transcripts may be submitted via Parchment email or high school officials directly.

All 6 components listed above are required to be considered for CLD College and University Partner scholarships. Completed packets should be submitted with all materials included electronically or mailed to the CLD Offices. Incomplete packets will not be considered. Please ensure all materials are present.

Assistance with resume development and essay reviews are available upon request. Call 317-923-8111 and ask for the College Prep Institute administrator to set up your appointment today.

Timeline for Potential Scholarship During Their Senior Year of High School

October

Attend Emerging Scholars Day
Receive application to apply for CLD College Partner Scholarship

November

Applications to College/University Partners & FAFSA Due (submitted online)
College Goal Sunday
CLD College Partner Scholarship Applications Due (submitted online)

December

Scholarship application information of potential CLD Scholars placed in College and University Partner Dropbox folders for them to make their CLD Scholar selections

February

Scholarship decisions will be submitted to CLD from our CLD College Partners (possible interviews before this time)
Notification letters emailed to ALL potential CLD Scholar applicants

March

Scholarship meeting for scholarship recipients. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY!
CLD’s Minority Achievers Awards and Scholarship Gala. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! *If offered a scholarship, the university/college will pay for the student and one/two guests to sit at their table. Other family members must purchase seats through the CLDinc.org website and will not be seated with or near the scholar.

April

CLD Scholars Contract Signing

July

CLD Scholars Dinner
Mandatory CLD Scholar Summer Advising Meeting with College Success Coordinator or CLD Guidance Counselor

Featured Scholars

Cornerstone University "This whole CLD experience has taught me the value of all the things that colleges are looking for and that I didn’t know. It helps you think on how to solve problems, work well with others, and always be prepared for the unexpected. Which is why when I come back for CLD volunteer activities I want to tell other students about college and the commitment that comes with the opportunity. I want the chance to communicate to other CLD graduates that even after graduating from the programs you still represent the organization and this is a long term commitment to the Center of Leadership Development."

Indiana University "CLD has opened up opportunities for me that I could not have been blessed to have anywhere else. It has allowed for me to be in a remarkable position to better myself and the future ahead. CLD has enriched me with valuable information about the tools to being successful. Through CLD, I now know who I am, where I am going and how I am going to get there." "To my fellow CLD Scholars- I wish you all the very best as you embark on life's endeavors. Never forget where you came from and the blessing that will help you achieve your dreams. Always be you and never steer off the path of happiness."

Ball State University "CLD has provided me with a great foundation for life. Not only did CLD help to provide me with a scholarship, but the self-discovery program provided me with the skills and the insight to get involved at my high school, which allowed me to show off an impressive resume when apply for scholarships. Also the College Prep program taught me a number of things about college that I didn't know and provided me with three amazing women to call and use as a resource whenever I get discouraged or stuck. I would like to encourage all of my fellow CLD scholars to be active in school and to strive for graduation. I implore them to remember the low statistics regarding African-Americans and minorities graduating, and for them to be determined to help raise the graduation rate in our community."

Purdue Universityghani "CLD has meant a lot to me in my journey towards higher education because if it wasn't for CLD, I would not have had the funding to go to Purdue University. Obtaining a scholarship means that I am able to focus on my studies and not worry about whether or not I will be able to continue my goal to be an Electrical Engineer. I am truly thankful and grateful to CLD in providing me the opportunity to be able to receive it. Not only that, but with the SAT program, it helped me understand the test and prepare so that I was able to get the right score to be accepted into Purdue. Also the College Prep program taught me what I needed to do to choose the right college, the application process and how to apply for scholarships. I am the first person in my family to go to college and didn't know anything about the process, so this helped me with the steps it took to get into college. But most of all, CLD has taught me what I need to know to be a successful human being, to have self respect and the importance of self worth, and how to develop my leadership abilities."

Disclaimer: Not all scholarship applicants will receive a scholarship through CLD. Decisions are made my awarding institutions. Additional opportunities may arise as a result of participation.

Are you interested in the CLD Scholarship Track?