“It’s Your Responsibility” Scholarships
Scholarships in honor of Christian Jackson,
and offered by Creative Change Counseling, Inc.
Christian's Story
Christian was born with a genetic condition known as Prader-Willi Syndrome. While he faced multiple disabilities, he strongly believed in inclusion. Despite the challenges, Christian did not let it stop him from participating in and enjoying life to its fullest. At 19, Christian had many joys in life, including animals, being outdoors, and music. Christian often volunteered at the Burlington County Animal Shelter and Paws Farm. He dreamed of working at a Veterinary Clinic or Pet Smart.
Christian loved being outdoors and worked for a landscape company. Christian was known for his love of music, and could often be found with headphones listening, rapping, and composing rap lyrics to music. He was well-known for rapping at family events in neighborhood parks with friends. Another one of Christian's joys in life was playing softball for the Special Olympics. Christian's charismatic personality will be missed tremendously by all the lives he touched. We hope, in some way, his story has touched your life as well.
Creative Change Counseling Scholarship Awards
Creative Change Counseling awards $5,000 college scholarships to assist students with tuition, room, and board to begin or continue their education. High school seniors beginning their educational journey may find the cost of college and other expenses overwhelming, to say the least. As an Agency that prides itself on caring for people and community, we try to put our ‘Core Values’ to the test of not only encouraging students to reach for the stars, but to support them in their journey through ‘philanthropy,’ and active fundraising all year. We also want to make an ‘impact’ on young adults who are already on the path of higher education but face a financial hardship that stands in the way of furthering their goal of obtaining a college degree. We truly mean it when we say,
“Inspiring Hope and Changing Lives, One Family at a Time.”
Afterall, our ‘integrity’ depends on it!
NOTE: All funds will be distributed directly to the school’s billing office towards tuition. Any overage of scholarship funds will be applied to the student’s following semester tuition fees. All scholarships are governed by the established rules set forth by Creative Change Counseling, Inc.
01
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
You must be a United States Citizen
02
STATE OF RESIDENCY
New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Delaware
03
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
Graduate in June 2025, and be accepted into an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university in the Fall of 2025.
04
COLLEGE STUDENT IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
Currently enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university and in need of financial support to continue your education.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Saturday, March 29, 2025
click tab below
Application Criteria
Essay Based on a Core Value
What is a Core Value? A Core Value is a principle (or set of principles) that you strongly believe in and is the plumbline or standard that guides all or most decisions in your life; be it business or personal.
Students will write a 500-word essay based on one of Creative Change Counseling's Core Values:
1. Professionalism
A high-level of expertise, skill, or competency.
2. Impactful
Influential or leaving a strong impression.
3. Ethical
Moral or upright.
4. Philanthropic
Freely giving to others; humanitarian.
5. Integrity
Honorable, truthful.
6. Diversity
Respect of different people and cultural differences.
HOW TO APPLY
You must submit one essay with one corresponding video:
Essay
Applicants will write a 500-word essay based on one of Creative Change Counseling’s Core Values:
- Professionalism
- Impactful
- Ethical
- Philanthropic
- Diversity
- Integrity
Applicants will select one core value from the list above and include a relevant example of when, where, why, and/or how this core value was invoked and/or implemented in their life, and how it inspired hope and changed lives for others. Applicants must also explain how they plan to use their degree and how this core value will guide them in their chosen career field.
The essay must include a cover page with your first and last name, and your email address.
Video Presentation
In a video presentation based on the essay, applicants will bring the essay to life by creating a 3- to 5-minute visual of the selected core value. Applicants may use one or more creative expressions* to show how they intend to inspire hope and change lives through their academic achievement and/or career.
*Creative expression can be demonstrated in the form of art, music, dance, poetry, dramatic reading, or storytelling.
How to Label Your Documents
Use Your First and Last Name Underscore Core Value
John Smith_Professionalism or Jane Doe_Impactful
Let's Recap
CHECK LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT:
Prep all Documents for Submission
01
Label Documents
Make sure you have correctly labeled each document.
02
Zip All Documents
Zipped files help them stay together as one, so nothing gets lost.
03
Label Zipped File
Label the Zipped File with your first and last name, and State of Residency. Please use your State's initials (NJ, MD, NC, DE).
04
Upload Zipped File
Upload the Zipped File to your State of Residency Portal.
Thank you for your submission!
Please check your email for confirmation that we have received your Zipped File of Documents for the "It's Your Responsibility" Scholarship in Honor of Christian Jackson.
