HomeMy WebLinkAboutC36070 - Establish Scholarship - John J. Benoit CONTRACT NO. C36070
CITY OF PALM DESERT
SPECIAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOLARSHIP IN THE
NAME OF FORMER SUPERVISOR JOHN BENOIT
SUBMITTED BY: Frankie Riddle, Director of Special Programs
APPLICANT: N/A
DATE: April 27, 2017
CONTENTS: None
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
1. Authorize the City Manager to work with Coachella Valley Workforce Excellence,
Inc. to establish the John Benoit Scholarship Fund and Program Development;
2. Approve establishment of a scholarship in the name of former Supervisor John
Benoit in the amount of$2,500 through Coachella Valley Workforce Excellence;
3. Approve the 10 percent ($250) operating fee to Coachella Valley Workforce
Excellence, Inc.;
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreement(s) and expenditure of funds
relative to scholarship; and
5. Authorize expenditure in the total amount of $2,750 from Account No. 1104110-
4388000.
Strategic Plan Objective
Approval of John Benoit Scholarship does not tie into identified goals within the
Strategic Plan.
Discussion
The City Council requested that staff research opportunities to honor Supervisor
Benoit's memory through an ongoing scholarship fund that would carry his name. Staff
made contact with the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership to determine if there
were scholarship opportunities and, if so, what the process would be to implement.
Staff discussed opportunities with Sheila Thornton, President/CEO of Coachella Valley
Workforce Excellence, Inc. (the new entity that separated from CVEP as of March 2017
to specifically work with scholarships and fundraising for the College and Career
Success Program) and Ernie Rios, Vice President of College Success. Coachella
STAFF REPORT
BENOIT SCHOLARSHIP
APRIL 27, 2017
PAGE 2
Valley Workforce Excellence (CVWE) collaborates with major education agencies,
colleges, and other agencies as partners to generate funding for scholarships to
promote the College and Career Success Program.
Based on the information obtained, the suggested scholarship opportunity is outlined
below:
One Future Coachella Valley— Pathways to Success 50/50 Match Program:
a. Academic and Scholarship Committee reviews applications and works
with students. To date 1,575 — 1,600 students have been awarded
scholarships
b. Approximately 1,100 applications are received yearly
c. There is a 50/50 match with partner agencies
d. Lowest scholarship is $2,500 with 50/50 match of$1,250 (lowest
contribution match); however, students attending a university may receive
a $5,000 scholarship
e. Maximum scholarship award in the amount of$10,000; however,
distribution is $5,000 per year for two years
f. Students must attend an accredited college or university
g. Program benefits low income students, as well as those with a financial
need
h. Student need based on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
assessment
i. Student participation is required through the following:
i. Scholarship only available to full time freshman and sophomore
students with GPA of 2.0 or greater, and junior and senior students
with GPA of 2.5 or greater
ii. Students must be able to show that financial need
iii. Expected family contribution of$10,000 or less to be eligible -
based on FAFSA Expected Family Contribution
iv. Student has to attend Leadership Conference
v. Student must create a Plan for finance, academic, and professional
goals
vi. Student must check in with CVEP
j. City can assist in selecting student to receive scholarship
k. CVEP works with schools to confirm that student has met the scholarship
requirement, disperses funds, and provides on-going monitoring
I. CVEP tracks, monitors, distributes, and is accountable for funds and
program oversight
m. CVWE assesses a 10% operation fee for management of contribution
STAFF REPORT
BENOIT SCHOLARSHIP
APRIL 27, 2017
PAGE 3
Fiscal Analysis
During the FY 2016/2017 mid-year budget process, an adjustment was made to provide
funding for the eventual John Benoit Scholarship Fund. Therefore, funds are available
in the current budget, Account No. 1 1 041 1 0-4388000.
Submitted By: Approved:
Frankie ' dle Lauri Aylaian
Director of Special Programs City Manager
Approval:
J Moore
Director of Finance