The BEF provides financial assistance and intensive mentoring to enable students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to complete a Bachelors Degree and build a successful professional career by aquiring the “cultural capital” that middle-to-upper class families take for granted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The BEF scholarship is awarded each year to graduating Mountain View High School AVID students who, in the Foundation’s judgment, will be highly successful in a competitive university academic environment, have the potential, as college graduates, to make significant contributions to society, and become positive role models and mentors for their families, communities, and future AVID students.
Our scholars are chosen through a competitive application and interview process. Additionally, they must demonstrate a willingness to be collaborative with BEF mentors to solve problems, since defensive behavior sharply decreases the likelihood of successful outcomes. We are looking for scholars who will be the heroes of their lives and not the victims of their difficult circumstances.
WHY MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
• MVHS has an excellent AVID program that identifies students with high potential, who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. AVID provides them with college preparatory training and other resources to achieve academic success. By selecting students from the AVID program, the BEF has a choice of students who are college-ready.
• The families of these students live in Mountain View. The geographic proximity of BEF mentors to Mountain View facilitates in-person meetings and optimizes mentoring opportunities throughout college and beyond.