SILICON VALLEY YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

If you are a 5th-8th grade full-time student in the United States, motivated to pursue a self-improvement opportunity beyond school, but you lack the necessary financial resources, you can apply for the SVY Scholarship.

The scholarship is designed to cover the expenses of one enrichment activity, for example, one season of soccer, one session of dance classes, or one semester of writing tutorship, for up to $600.

If it costs more than $600 to participate in the program of your choice, please provide a supplemental statement to explain. SVY will do its best to support your dream.

Here are our “How to Apply” guidelines.

Both the student form and the teacher form need to be completed for the application to be considered.

Important: Please make sure space is available in the program you plan to attend and it works with your schedule.

First of all, please make sure you meet all the deadlines of the programs you plan to enroll in. To take advantage of the many programs that start at the beginning of the fall semester, we encourage students to plan early.

SVY Scholarship applications are considered on a rolling basis while funding is available.

Each semester, SVY provides many enrichment classes in the areas of mathematics, sciences, humanities, debate and public speaking, computer science, and even sports from time to time. These classes are taught by outstanding high school students who are experts in their areas of study. Many of them have won national, state, or local awards. Some of them have been SVY students themselves.

Since 2015, SVY has hosted hundreds of classes. By now, we have thousands of alumni who are exploring their high school/college life and beyond.

To support expenses such as classroom rental and SVY’s service projects, SVY classes charge a small fee for each student. In the past, this might have prevented students from low-income families from attending our classes. In addition, through our conversations with educators in our community, we realize a great need to remove financial barriers for motivated students from underprivileged communities to try something new, something they have always dreamed about and can potentially change their lives.

This is why we created the SVY Scholarship. We want to help you make the first step toward your exploration, whether by attending SVY classes or through other educational programs out there.

In addition to teaching the wonderful enrichment classes, SVY teachers and TAs have accomplished a significant number of service projects that benefited the local community. Please check out our impact page!

Silicon Valley Youth is a student-run nonprofit educational and community service organization under the provisions of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All our money goes back to the community!

No.

SVY offers an excellent array of classes each semester, taught by energetic SVY volunteers with proven track records in the subjects. These instructors, being high school students themselves and many having been SVY students in the past, understand how students feel. They bring a lot of fun to the classes. Many of the classes are remote, so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

Having said that, you don’t have to use the SVY Scholarship toward an SVY class. We encourage everyone to explore their own dreams and make decisions on what is best for them.

Yes, think about what you have always wanted to do but have been restricted due to a lack of financial resources. “Have I always wanted to join a basketball team? Or maybe improve my writing? Or maybe it is finally time to learn some cooking?”

Check what your friends have been doing, what they have liked, and what seems to be a rewarding experience. Has someone enthusiastically shared with your their experience? Maybe you can do the same?

Ask your teachers, coaches, and other trusted adults. They may have some great ideas. Or, do an online search to see what extracurricular programs are in your area.

Enrichment Program Ideas

Due to the complexity and liabilities involved, SVY Scholarship is, unfortunately, unable to provide transportation. Students are encouraged to find enrichment opportunities close to their home and/or school and should work with their parents/guardians to make sure transportation is available.

We are unfortunately unable to provide internet access assistance. If you plan to enroll in an online activity, please make sure you have the necessary equipment and internet access. Check with your school or school district to see if internet access assistance is available.

No. SVY Scholarship cannot be applied to programs you have enrolled in before you applied for the scholarship and your application has been approved. Our goal is to help students to try something that they would be unable to do without the scholarship.

Complete applications, including the student application form and the teacher support form, will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as possible, normally within 2-3 weeks.

Make sure you attend the program or activity you have stated in your application and use the opportunity to explore. We encourage you to send us a periodical progress report or feedback. You are required to send us a statement of completion once you finish the program.

We are unable to honor such requests. We encourage students to think well before they submit their applications.

If, for special reasons, you are unable to attend the programs or activities you have applied for, please let us know as soon as possible and return the funds to us so that we can help other students in need.

Family members of the SVY leadership team.