Are you a native New Yorker who is currently in college? Got tenacity and grit? This Brooklyn-born lawyer wants to pay it forward by launching a scholarship fund to benefit one hard working college student each year.
Born in what today is called Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and raised in Manhattan, attorney Ivan Diamond graduated from the New York public school system, went on to Brooklyn Law School, and now has his own practice in the Bronx.
Attending law school at night so he could also work to support his family, Diamond received the honor of “best in class” in personal injury law. Today, Diamond helps people who have been injured through the negligence of others.
Diamond is proud of his New York heritage and the hard work and perseverance it took to get where he is today, and he wants to reward that same drive in local students who share his New York values. For that reason, the Law Offices of Ivan M. Diamond will award the NYC Born and Raised Scholarship to a student who was born and grew up in New York City and will continue their education in the city.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this $2,500 scholarship, students must be seniors at one of New York City’s high schools and must plan to attend college within New York City beginning in the fall semester of 2016. The scholarship payment will be made directly to the award recipient’s school and is to be used exclusively for tuition and other educational expenses.
“I’m looking for qualities of determination and tenacity,” Diamond told us. “It’s not about whether you fall down, it’s about whether you get up afterwards — that’s real New York City grit.”
Application
To apply, you’ll need to submit a three-page, typed essay describing what New York values mean to you and how you plan to use your education to improve the your local community. Along with your essay, please include:
- A completed Scholarship Application form
- A copy of your acceptance letter to an accredited college or university in New York City for fall of 2016.
- A copy of your official high school transcripts. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to apply for the scholarship.
- Proof that you’re a legal resident of the United States. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, permanent residency card or passport.
Applications are due by August 1, 2016, and the announcement of the scholarship winner will be made in mid-August. If you know a deserving student who may qualify for the NYC Born and Raised Scholarship, please share this page with them. Application materials should be e-mailed in PDF format to diamond.scholarship@gmail.com.
