Make a Dent Scholarship

The Make a Dent Scholarship 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 Make a Dent Scholarship application - there are four parts to the application:

In one or two pages, please address the following:

• Describe any achievements you wish to be considered by the scholarship committee.
• Do you have past experience in Sports Management? If yes, please describe.
• Express why you would be a good candidate for this scholarship.

Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and include your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

Provide a brief description of your educational and vocational goals, specifically in the field of Sports Management.

One letter of recommendation is required. The letter must be completed by a faculty member (continuing students) or an instructor or guidance counselor (incoming students) who is best qualified to comment on your academic and/or creative achievements.

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.

A current Student Aid Report (SAR) must be on file. To receive an SAR, students must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA), available after January 1st of each year.

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 Make a Dent Scholarship, 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 Make a Dent Scholarship 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 scholarship was created by the Make a Dent Foundation, founded and presided over by Chicago Bear 1985 Super Bowl MVP, Richard Dent. The goal of the Make a Dent Foundation is to increase educational opportunities for less advantaged students and communities, specifically in the area of sports management education.

• Application must be submitted by specified deadline for review by the committee
• Maximum one-year award is $5000, awarded half in Fall 2013 and half in Spring 2014
• Recipients who graduate in Fall 2013 will receive a one-semester award up to $2500
• The award is applied toward tuition and fees
• Continuing students must be enrolled at full-time status at the time of application and recipients must maintain full-time enrollment during the 2013-14 academic year
• Students who are not selected to receive the award may compete in subsequent years provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements
• Scholarship may not be used toward independent study abroad programs. Please note: Recipients who enroll in an independent study abroad program will forfeit their scholarship during the semester spent abroad
• Recipients will be asked to submit a short biography describing their background and life goals, which will be shared with donors; portions of the essay may also be used for publication
• The rules and regulations governing other sources of financial aid (federal, state, institutional and other grants, gifts, or loans) will apply
• Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to withhold the award in any year in which, at the sole discretion of the scholarship committee, suitable candidates cannot be found among applicants; 
• Recipients will be expected to attend the Make a Dent Foundation charity events during the awarded academic year, and will be invited to attend the following year

NOTE: The scholarship is intended to be awarded for one full year. In some cases, awards may be considered for renewal provided that the student submits a new application each year and continues to meet all current eligibility criteria. However, because the number of awards is limited, student applications are evaluated by considering the number and strength of all applications received that year, regardless of whether or not a student has received the award in the past.