Roots and Routes Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Law Office of Eric M. Mark

Introduction
The Law Office of Eric M. Mark is pleased to announce the 2026 Roots and Routes Scholarship. As immigration attorneys, we value the important contributions immigrants bring to the United States and understand that the journey to and through the immigration and naturalization processes can be lengthy and difficult. This scholarship is intended to help students who are immigrants or come from immigrant families by providing financial support and recognizing stories of perseverance.

Purpose and Prompt
We invite applicants to share their immigration narrative. Possible points to address include: how your family arrived in the United States; obstacles your family or you encountered during immigration or the path to citizenship; and how these experiences have affected your life and the lives of your family members. Applicants are also encouraged to consider how immigration shapes communities and contributes to American society. The Roots and Routes Scholarship celebrates resilience and determination while assisting recipients with their educational expenses.

Key Deadline
All application materials must be submitted by May 31, 2026.

Who May Apply (Eligibility)
- Current high school seniors, vocational students, undergraduate students, or graduate students who will be enrolled in a two- or four-year post-secondary institution for the upcoming fall semester are eligible.
- Applicants must be in good academic standing and hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- The following individuals are ineligible to apply: employees of the Law Office of Eric M. Mark; members of those employees’ immediate families (defined as parent, child, sibling, or spouse); and anyone living in the same household as such employees, regardless of actual familial relationship.
- Preference may be given to applicants who are from or currently attending secondary school in New Jersey.

Application Requirements
Complete applications must include:
1. A filled-out application form (use the form provided below or on our website).
2. An original essay of 500–750 words responding to the prompt:
- Describe your family’s history and how your family immigrated to the United States. What new challenges did you or your family face in the process of becoming American citizens?
- Note: All essays will be examined for AI-generated content. If an essay is determined to contain AI writing, the application will be disqualified.
3. A professional résumé outlining academic achievements, work experience, extracurricular activities, and other relevant accomplishments.
4. Academic transcript(s):
- Current students should submit a transcript from their present school.
- First-year college students, graduate students, or those who have recently transferred may submit an unofficial transcript from their current institution plus the most recent official transcript from their previous school.
- High school seniors should provide proof of admission to the college or post-secondary program they plan to attend.

Selection and Support
The scholarship seeks to uplift students from immigrant backgrounds by honoring personal stories of struggle and success and by offering financial assistance to help further academic goals. We look forward to reading your submissions and supporting your educational journey.