The Ernani Bernardi Scholarship - The City of Los Angeles

The Ernani Bernardi Scholarship
for the 2013-2014 school year
Estabilished in 1993, the Ernani Bernardi Scholarship was created by and named after former
Los Angeles City Councilmember Ernani Bernandi who represented the Northeast San
Fernando Valley communities of Council District Seven, which includes Pacoima, Sylmar
and Lake View Terrace for eight terms from 1961-1993.
This year, Councilmember Richard Alarcon will be awarding up to 30 Ernani Bernardi
Scholarships to high school seniors and college students and allocating upwards of $70,000
for higher education for residents residing in certain parts of Pacoima, Sylmar and Lake View
Terrace through The Ernani Bernardi Scholarship for the 2013-2014 school-year.
.
The Ernani Bernardi Scholarship was established as an endowment fund out of the Lopez
Canyon Trust Fund with the interest earnings of the fund to be used for scholarship awards.
When elected to his first term in 1993 to City Council, Councilmember Richard Alarcon
championed for the closure of the Lopez Canyon Landfill, which had operated for 21 years,
polluting the air and reducing the local quality of life. The closure of the Lopez Canyon
Landfill helped improve living standards for the constituents he represents, but also pushed
the entire City of Los Angeles into a new, environmentally sound era of waste disposal and to
encourage residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Since its creation, Councilmember Alarcon has expanded the number of students eligible for
the scholarship. Originally intended to provide educational scholarships to Los Angeles
Mission College students residing in parts of Pacoima, Sylmar and Lake View Terrace-areas
that have been impacted by the Lopez Canyon Landfill, the new guidelines for the Ernani
Bernardi Scholarship contain the same residency requirements, but now allows for the
scholarship funds to be awarded to any student who desires to attend any higher education
institutions in the City of Los Angeles.
As the closure of the Lopez Canyon Landfill provided residents of the Northeast Valley with
an improved environment for their physical health, the Ernani Bernardi Scholarships provide
improved access to higher education to local students. Many high school seniors and college
students face the dilemma of having to either choose between future debt with taking out a
loan to attend college or not attending at all because of its financial infeasible.
Councilmember Alarcon knows that these scholarships, ranging between $500-$1,000 for
Community College students and $1,000-$5,000 for 4-Year College students will offer much
relief for those desiring to pursue a higher education.
For additional information or to apply for the Ernani Bernardi Scholarship, please contact
Jaime Rodriguez by phone at 21.3.473.7007 or email at: Jaime.p.rodriguez@lacity.org

City of Los Angeles
Bernardi Scholarship Application - Spring 2013
Scholarships are awarded to students seeking higher education at a Community or
4-year College.
Scholarship will be competitive with only 30 being awarded.
20 scholarships will be awarded for Community College students ranging from
$500-$1,000.
10 scholarships will be awarded for 4-year College students ranging from $1,000-
$5,000.
Funds are accrued through the Lopez Canyon Landfill trust.
ELIGIBILITY:
1 – Reside within the boundaries of the outlined map:: http://cd7.lacity.org/
2- Must be a Senior in High School or current college student
3- Must be a full or part time student in a higher education institution within the City of
Los Angeles
4- Must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
5-Must be willing to volunteer 8 hours with a local non-profit in the community
CHECK LIST:
‐ Complete & submit entire application
‐ Complete personal statement
‐ Financial Need Assessment Form
‐ Submit one (1) letter of recommendation
‐ 1 Official High School or college transcript
SCHOLARSHIP Application must be received by: Monday, April 29th, 2013
No late applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
All applications must be completed and submitted to:
Office of Councilmember Richard Alarcon
Ernani Bernardi Scholarship Fund Committee
13520 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima CA 91331
-NO PHONE CALLS-
For questions, email:
jaime.p.rodriguez@lacity.org

** All applicants must live within the Lopez Canyon Boundaries **
For better view of map, please visit: http://cd7.lacity.org/

2012 City of Los Angeles - Bernardi Scholarship Application
Part 1: Personal Information (all information is confidential)
Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Last Name First Name MI.
Birthdate: ______/_______/______ Gender (check all that apply): ___ M ___F
Mo Dy Yr
Ethnicity (check all that apply): White: __ African American: ___
Native American: __ Latino/Hispanic : __ Asian/Pacific Islander:__
Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Home Telephone: (____) _________ Mobile: (____) _________
Email address:
___________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Your Education
School (currently
attending):______________________________________________________________
School Address:
________________________________________________________________________
Class standing (please check one):
High School Senior: ___ College Freshman: __ College Sophomore:___
College Junior: ___ College Senior: ___
Major(s): ___________________________
___________________________
Current Cumulative GPA: _____ Expected Graduation Date: _____/______
Mo. Yr.
If High School Student – what college will you be attending in the fall? Reminder –
Must be a higher education institution within the City of Los Angeles.
________________________________________________________
Part 3: Extracurricular Activities
Honors and Awards Received (include year):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Activities, Sports, Club, Leadership Positions:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Employment
Are you employed? Y___ N____
Employer: __________________________________________
Position: ______________________ How many hours of work per week? _________
Part 4: Financial Information
Please state your projected college expenses for 2012-2013 College Year
Your Income College Expenses
Parent Contribution: ________________ Yearly Tuition: _____________
Employment: ___________________ Books: _________________
Cal Grants: ____________________ Supplies: ________________
Board of Governor Fee Waiver:
Room/Board: _____________
______________
Other Scholarships:
Other Expenses: ___________
____________________
Total: ________________________ Total: __________________
Part 5: Personal Statement (please reply on separate paper. Typed. Double spaced. 2
pages max.)
Please give a brief response to the following questions:
1) Why is the pursuit of education important for you?
2) What obstacles do you face as you pursue your education?
3) How will your education improve the quality of life for those living in the Northeast
Valley?
4) The Northeast San Fernando Valley faces environmental challenges. What is the most
significant challenge and what do you think YOU can do to address these challenges?
CERTIFICATION
I certify that all the information provided on this application is accurate to the best of my
knowledge. I am aware that I will be notified by mail regarding my application and
award; I understand that if awarded, the scholarship award will be sent directly to the
college I am or will be attending. In addition, if awarded, I understand that there is no
guarantee of renewal and must reapply for the scholarship each year.
Recipients will be notified by. An incomplete application will not be reviewed. Failure
to sign this certification will result in the automatic ineligibility of my application.
Print: _____________________________________ Date: _____________
Signature: _________________________________

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Each applicant must submit one (1) letter of recommendation. The letter must be in a
sealed envelope and accompany your application. The letter must be on letterhead and
address the following:
• Relation to the applicant & length of time knowing applicant
o Letter may not be written by a family member
• Applicant’s strength and weakness in education & community setting
• Applicant’s potential in an academic setting
• Examples of commitment to achieve academic goals
• Examples of commitment toward community