Mary C. Rawlins Scholarship

Scholarship Details

Deadline
Received by Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Amount Awarded
$500-$1,000
Awarded By
Connecticut Association of Diversity & Equity Professionals
Selection Criteria
  • Graduating high school senior
  • State of Connecticut resident
  • GPA of 2.5 or higher at end of Fall semester 2025
  • College/University Acceptance Letter from school you plan to attend
  • Submit copy of Fall 2025 High School Grades Report
  • Essay 1: Respond in 100-200 words: Please explain a challenge you have faced in your life, what you have learned from it, and how you have overcome it or been changed by it.
  • Essay 2: 250-500 words: Affirmative Action (AA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs are being removed at the federal level, but many states including Connecticut still have state laws requiring their existence. Many have different opinions, but please explain your understanding of the purpose of affirmative action and EEO programs, and whether or not you feel it has made a positive impact on society. Please be sure to provide evidence to support your answer. You may use the following website for more information: https://www.aaaed.org/general-7
  • One (1) reference letter from school counselor, teacher or coach

About This Scholarship

Obtain the link to the application and instructions from the CADEP website at: www.CADEP.net/mary-c-rawlins-scholarship.html.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Click here for 2025-2026 Scholarship Application. 
Or you may scan the QR code with your mobile device to complete the application. 

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Applications must be received by March 31, 2026.  
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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
  Student must:
1. Complete application by clicking the link above. The application contains two essays.  

  • Respond in 100-200 words: "Please explain a challenge you have faced in your life, how it affected you or changed you, and what you did to overcome it."
  • Write an essay of between 250-500 words on the following topic, “Affirmative Action (AA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs are being removed at the federal level, but many states including Connecticut still have state laws requiring their existence.  Many have different opinions, but please explain your understanding of the purpose of affirmative action and EEO programs,  and whether or not you feel it has made a positive impact on society.  Please be sure to provide evidence to support your answer.  You may use the following website for more information: You may use the following website for more information: https://www.aaaed.org/General-7 


​2.  Submit the three (3) required documents within 30 days of submitting the application, but no later than the March 31, 2026 deadline.
All required documents should be submitted together attached to one email if possible (a single attachment, PDF , is preferred) with the student's name in the subject line, and sent to cadepscholarship@gmail.com.  Only complete applications with all 3 documents will be considered.  Some schools may have a policy that students are not to be privy to letters of recommendation.  In this case, school representatives or school counselors may submit the required documents on behalf of the student by March 31, 2026.

Required documents:

  • Fall 2025 high school grades report
  • College/University acceptance letter from school you plan to attend.
  • A letter of reference from a school counselor, teacher or coach.


If you have any questions regarding the scholarship program please contact CADEP at CADEPscholarship@gmail.com
Scholarship winners will be notified no later than May 22, 2026. 

Apply for this scholarship using our universal application.