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The Philemon Foundation Graduate Student Housing Award

The award

A place to focus on graduate study

One yearInitial housing period
Private roomIn a shared four-bedroom house
Utilities includedIn the housing award

The Philemon Foundation is proud to present the Graduate Student Housing Award, a life-changing opportunity for one deserving graduate student. This award provides free housing for one year at a detached home located in a safe and desirable neighborhood in North West Washington DC. Situated just a four-minute walk from the Tenleytown-American University Metro Station, this prime location offers convenient access to transportation, making it an ideal residence for a graduate student.

The housing provided through this award encompasses a private room within a four-bedroom house. Alongside fellow graduate students, the recipient will share access to common spaces, fostering a sense of community and intellectual exchange. Moreover, the house features a private backyard, providing an inviting space for relaxation.

The Philemon Foundation is committed to ensuring that recipients can fully focus on their academic pursuits and personal growth. As such, all utilities for the home will be included in the award, eliminating the financial burden often associated with housing expenses.

Additionally, the presence of other graduate students in the house cultivates an atmosphere of shared experiences and support. Building connections and networks with fellow scholars can be invaluable for personal and academic development, allowing the recipient to engage in meaningful discussions and establish lifelong connections.

The Philemon Foundation Graduate Student Housing Award is initially offered for a one-year period. However, recognizing the potential for extended academic pursuits, the award is subject to an additional year’s extension.

Background of the Philemon Foundation

The Philemon Foundation is inspired by story of Baucis and Philemon in Greek mythology which highlights the virtue of hospitality and its rewards. To test the hospitality of the people in Phrygia, Zeus and Hermes disguised themselves as mortals. Baucis and Philemon were the only ones who warmly welcomed the gods into their humble cottage. Impressed by their kindness, Zeus revealed his identity and offered them a wish. They asked to serve as priests in Zeus’ temple, and their cottage transformed into a magnificent temple overnight. Zeus granted them eternal unity as intertwined trees—a linden and an oak. Baucis and Philemon became devoted guardians, inspiring others with their love and kindness. The story teaches the importance of compassion and selflessness, demonstrating that simple acts of kindness can bring unimaginable rewards.

The Philemon Foundation is dedicated to supporting graduate students who have faced significant life struggles by providing financial support and safe housing. The foundation’s primary objective is to promote access to graduate education for individuals who may be hindered by life struggles. By offering free housing, the foundation creates a safe and supportive living environment for eligible students, removing the burden of finding housing and enabling them to fully engage in their academic pursuits. The foundation also prioritizes fostering personal and academic development for students facing life challenges, recognizing the role that stable housing plays in facilitating their growth and success in their chosen fields. Moreover, the Philemon Foundation Program is committed to promoting equality and equal opportunity for all graduate students, ensuring a level playing field where individuals can pursue their educational goals, regardless of the difficulties they have faced. The foundation values diversity and inclusion in higher education, actively supporting graduate students from diverse backgrounds and contributing to a more inclusive learning environment within the academic community. The foundation aims to provide financial assistance to eligible students, alleviating the burden of educational expenses and empowering them to fully invest in their studies and future careers.

General Instructions

01 / Who can apply

Eligibility

  1. Enrollment in a Graduate Program: Applicants must be accepted into any graduate program within the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) area. The applicant’s school should be easily accessible to North West Washington, D.C., ensuring convenience and proximity to the scholarship’s housing location.
  2. Overcoming Extraordinary Life Challenge: Applicants must have faced an extraordinary life challenge. The Philemon Foundation values resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, and this requirement allows the Award to support individuals who have demonstrated exceptional strength and determination.
  3. Housing Need: Applicants must show a need for housing in the DMV area to further their education in their graduate program.
  4. Financial Need: Applicants must have a financial need that causes them to need an award such as the fellowship in order to lift some of the burden of paying to enroll in a graduate program.
02 / What to submit

How to Apply

  1. Proof of Enrollment: Applicants must submit proof of attendance or enrollment. This can be a class schedule for the upcoming fall semester, a letter from the admissions office at your school, or any similar proof that you will be involved in a graduate program for the coming year.
  2. Personal Statement Submission: Each applicant is required to submit a personal statement as part of their application. In an essay of approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share the story of a significant hardship you have faced and how it has shaped your life and aspirations. Delve into the ways you managed to overcome or are dealing with this hardship, highlighting the strength, perseverance, and resilience that allows you to persist. Furthermore, discuss additional challenges you have faced as a result of your unique background. Describe how your experiences have shaped your perspective and influenced your life. Finally, explain how this housing award will help you to reach your academic and career goals. Consider discussing how you plan to give back to your community or contribute to your field of study.

    We are interested in understanding not only the struggles you have encountered, but also your hopes and ambitions.

  3. Reference Submission: Along with the personal statement, applicants must provide contact information for one reference who can attest to their character, experiences, and ability to overcome challenges. The reference should be able to provide insight into the applicant’s personal qualities, achievements, and potential for success in their academic pursuits. The reference should be someone who is familiar with the applicant’s journey and can speak to their abilities and determination.

Applicants should read the instructions carefully before beginning the application. Applicants must complete the requirements listed above, and submit the required documents to solatorio.b@lawyercampos.com.

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