Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Paula E. Waters – Diamond In The Rough Scholarship Program!

The Paula E. Waters – Diamond in the Rough Scholarship Program is dedicated to providing educational assistance for deserving senior high school African American male students from selected schools who plan to continue education at a two-or four year college, university or vocational-technical school. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.

Considering a two-year program? Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Professional certificates
• Personalized attention
• General education requirements
• Less expensive
• Groundwork for continuing education
• In-demand skilled trade careers

We encourage you to review this website for in-depth information about the scholarship program, as well as helpful student resources like life advice from actor Denzel Washington and tips on retiring with a million dollars from CNBC.

History

Founded in 2004, Paula E. Waters-Diamond in the Rough Scholarship Program is an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to deserving African American male youth. The organization established the scholarship program and designed it to reward disadvantaged African American male high school students who have potential and desire to further their education and who may otherwise find college or vocational-technical school unaffordable.

Click here to read more about President and Founder, Paula E. Waters.

The scholarship program is currently administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), an independent scholarship management company based in Nashville, TN.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a high school graduating senior.
• Be an African American male.
• Have a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.99 (un-weighted, based on a 4-point scale).
• Be enrolled in a full-time or plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or an approved trade-related program at a vocational or technical school, or other approved technical institute in the United States.
• Be a student of:
  • Any public or charter high school in Montgomery or Prince George’s County, Maryland;
  • Any public or charter high school in the District of Columbia;
  • Any public or charter high school in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria or Falls Church, Virginia; OR
  • Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

No exceptions will be made.

Awards

• Three (3) one-time scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 each. One (1) award is specifically meant for applicants going to vocational/trade school.
• The scholarships can be applied to tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load at accredited, nonprofit two or four-year colleges/universities or vocational/trade schools in the United States.
• Awards are not renewable.

Application Process

1. Click the “Apply Now” button (below) or go to https://aim.applyISTS.net/DITR (program key DITR) to create an AIM account using your e-mail address and chosen password
2. Log in to your AIM account to be taken directly to the Welcome page of the Paula E. Waters Diamond in the Rough Scholarship application
3. Complete all required fields in the online application and upload your most recent high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores
4. Click the Submit button on the Save/Submit page of the online application

NOTE: The status Complete will display on your AIM Home page when all forms have been submitted and all documents have been verified. Applicants are responsible for monitoring the progress of all application requirements to make sure their application is complete by 11:59 pm PT on May 30, 2023. Late submissions will not be considered.

Scholarships for Minorities

• http://www.college-financial-aid-advice.com/scholarships-for-minorities.html
• http://blackstudents.blacknews.com
• http://www.needld.org
• http://www.littleafrica.com/resources/scholarships.html
• https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/minority-scholarships/african-american-scholarships

Free Trip To Africa

• http://africangenesis2.org

Video: Motivation Madness with Denzel Washington

Video: How to Retire with a Million Dollars if you Make $50,000 a Year

Books

Recommended Reading:

• Debt Free For Life: The Finish Rich Plan for Financial Freedom by David Bach
• The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

Support

For assistance with the application process:

• Submit an inquiry via online contact form
• E-mail ContactUs@applyISTS.com
• Call 855-670-ISTS (4787)

ISTS Program Support is available Monday-Friday 7am-7pm and Saturday 9am-6pm (CST).