Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award

The Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award application is available online. Only complete scholarship applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the scholarship committee.

Please follow all directions carefully. Students must submit the following materials to make a complete Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award application - there are two parts to the application:

You must provide an essay on each topic:

1. Express why you would be a good candidate for this scholarship.
2. Describe your interest in the Early Childhood Education major, and explain some of your goals and dreams for your career. How has your passion for your field brought you to Columbia? How will you use your passion/skills to impact your community and the outside world?

One letter of recommendation is required. The letter must be completed by an instructor, employer, or other mentor who is qualified to comment on your general character and able to address the traits that would make you a good candidate for the teaching profession.

CONTINUING STUDENTS: Your letter of recommendation may not be from a faculty member in the Early Childhood Education department.

Note: Remember to contact your recommender directly before providing his/her information on the application. Be sure to give recommenders as much time as possible to write the letters. Requests made at the last minute are often difficult to fulfill by the deadline.

Continuing students:

Online applications are available through your OASIS portal. Login to your portal and select the Scholarships tab at the top of the screen. Follow the link Apply Now for Columbia Scholarships to your Applicant Portal landing page.

• Applicant Portal: You may scroll through the list of scholarship programs until you locate the Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award, and then select the "Start Application" link.
• Scholarship Search: Select the "Search Scholarships" link in the navigation on the left-hand side of the page. You may search for the Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award by using category, keyword, or description/name search. Once you locate the program, select the "More Info" link to be taken to the application form.

• The Joan and Irving Harris Award is automatically renewable for up to four consecutive years provided the recipient:
  • is enrolled full-time each semester a Early Childhood major with a concentration in Teacher Certification
  • maintains a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average
  • does not interrupt enrollment
• Award amount ranges up to $5,000 per academic year, awarded half in Fall and half in Spring
• The Joan and Irving Harris Scholar Award is applied toward tuition
• Award may not be used toward independent study abroad programs
• The rules governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply