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Sabre Passport to Freedom Survivor Scholarship

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

This scholarship was established in 2014 by Sabre and was inspired by the extraordinary stories of survival shared at the September 2012 Passport to Freedom launch event. The purpose of this scholarship is to support human trafficking survivors who are planning to attend or attending a two or four-year college or vocational school. Through this scholarship, human trafficking survivors can have a secure and sustainable employment opportunities.

Key Information

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age/Grade Level:
    High school graduate, GED recipient, or current or prospective college student
  • Minimum GPA:
    2.50
  • Financial Need:
    Required
  • Character Traits:
    Qualities of character: resilient, determined, flexible, good-natured
  • Residence:
    Eligible non-citizen (eligible non-citizens include United States legal residents or T-visa holders)
  • Citizenship:
    United States citizen or eligible non-citizen (eligible non-citizens include a United States legal residents or T-visa holders)
  • College:
    Planning to enroll or enrolled in a two- or four-year college or vocational school on a part-time or full-time basis (as defined by the school of attendance)
  • Major/Career:
    Special considerations are given to students pursuing travel, tourism, hospitality, or technology related programs
  • Miscellaneous:
    Must be a human trafficking survivor, which includes individuals who have been exploited by the following situations:Labor or service compelled by force, fraud, or coercion for any location or industry. Debt bondage: using a debt to compel labor from a personCommercial sex completed by force, fraud or coercion in brothels, street prostitution, escort services, child sex tourism or pornography.Unlawful recruitment of children under 18 by a government or non-government armed forces to be used as combatants, cooks, servants, messengers, spies, or sex slaves.

Application Details

  • Transcript:
    Required
  • Resume/Activity List:
    Required
  • Essay:
    A written personal statement of at least 500 words, but no longer than 1,000 words (approximately 2-3 pages, double-spaced). Your statement should include: Reasons why you want to attend your school or chosen program A brief, non-detailed description of how you were able to overcome your trafficking experience Three personal attributes that you feel will contribute to your success in the classroom and in your chosen career path.
  • Recommendation Letters:
    Include at least one letter of reference from someone who can attest to your trafficking experience. The letter should be from a staff member at a verified 501c3 non-profit organization that provides support to human trafficking survivors; a trafficking victim caseworker; a social worker; or a mental health professional. The letter should state your relationship to the letter writer and include justification as to why you should be considered for the scholarship. It should mention yourdemonstrated ability to be successful in your desired program. A second letter may be from a work supervisor or personal acquaintance. Letters must be on letterhead from the organization represented by the letter writer. All letters must be typed, signed and dated and include the phone number, email address and mailing address of the letter writer.
  • Other Materials:
    A completed application form;Student Aid Report (SAR);If you did not apply for federal financial aid, you must include a copy of the first two pages of your most recent Tax Form 1040. If you are a Dependent, this will be from your parent or guardians most recent Tax Form 1040;Proof of Government Financial Assistance must be supplied for students attending a vocational program or certification program that is not eligible for federal student aid, or if you do not have a Tax Form 1040;Proof of United States citizenship (photocopy of birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers) or documentation of legal residency;Identification can be any state or government issued ID card with a picture, including drivers license and passport.

Contact Information