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We have awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to over 60 college-bound high school seniors from the Pen Argyl School District.
The GKEDC has awarded approximately $250,000 in scholarships to over 60 high school seniors who live in the Pen Argyl School District and who will be continuing his/her education in a college program. GKEDC accepts scholarship applications annually from approximately April 1 through May 8th. Details about the current round of applications will be posted here as they become available.
Scholarship Information
1. The scholarships will be awarded to individuals who reflect the ideals of community service and environmental stewardship, and who are seeking higher education to further advance these ideals into their professional careers.
2. Any graduating high school senior who lives in the Pen Argyl School District and who will be continuing his/her education in a college program is eligible to receive this award.
3. This scholarship will be in the amount of $4000, to be distributed in four segments over the course of a four-year college program.
The first segment of $2500 will be rewarded upon receipt of a certificate of admission or a letter of acceptance received by GKEDC by June 1.
The remaining yearly distributions of $2500 are dependent on the student taking at least 24 credits per year and successfully maintaining, at a minimum, a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Grades received during the freshman, sophomore, and junior years must be submitted to GKEDC as proof each June before the next segment of the award will be given.
Students attending a two-year college and continuing on to obtain their bachelor’s degree will qualify for the entire scholarship.
Monies not rewarded due to ineligibility will remain the property of GKEDC. If a recipient leaves the institution and there are scholarship funds remaining, the institution shall return the balance of the GKEDC Scholarship Award.
4. Scholarship applications should be submitted in the spring of each year.
Specific time windows when applications are being accepted will be communicated to the school’s guidance counselor, in The Blue Valley Times, and on this website. Parents are urged to encourage their children to apply for the scholarship.
5. The recipients will be announced at their high school’s Awards Banquet or equivalent.
6. Scholarships can be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees, and other academic costs; additionally, the scholarship may be used for room and board when the student is housed under the control of the institution.
7. Scholarship checks will be sent directly to the Financial Aid Offices of the institutions involved at the end of the third week of August.
8. If a scholarship winner must delay their education for any reason, the recipient must contact the GKEDC in writing as soon as possible. The scholarship will be held up to two years from the date of high school graduation. After that time, the GKEDC will have the discretion to continue holding or to withdraw the scholarship award as they see fit.
Scholarship applications will be accepted from March 1 through May 8. Download a form below:
Download Scholarship Application in PDF Format (.pdf) or Word Format (.doc)
Upon graduation from high school, Syzane Arifaj, Esq. attended Moravian College, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. During college, Syzane interned with North Penn Legal Services and worked at the Boyd Theater.
Following graduation from Moravian, Syzane attended Syracuse University College of Law. During law school, Syzane interned at the Federal Public Defender in Syracuse, Legal Services of New York, and the Office of General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Syzane began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Arthur L. Zulick of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.
Following her clerkship, Syzane accepted a full-time position with the Monroe County Public Defender. In 2014, she became a solo practitioner in Northampton County.
Syzane is currently employed part-time at the Northampton County Public Defender, in addition to representing private criminal defense clients in Northampton and Monroe counties.
Syzane resides in Roseto with her husband, Jason, and her dog, Scout. She is very involved in the community, as an attorney and as a citizen. Syzane is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as the Northampton and Monroe County Bar Associations. Additionally, she passionately serves on the board of Family Promise of Monroe County, a non-profit organization that shelters and services homeless families.
“Scholarships sponsored by local community organizations, citizens, and businesses are vital to fostering an environment in which education is valued and academic effort is recognized and supported. Being the first recipient of the GKEDC scholarship fostered my drive for success which has propelled me throughout my career.”
Upon graduation from high school, Syzane Arifaj, Esq. attended Moravian College, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. During college, Syzane interned with North Penn Legal Services and worked at the Boyd Theater.
Following graduation from Moravian, Syzane attended Syracuse University College of Law. During law school, Syzane interned at the Federal Public Defender in Syracuse, Legal Services of New York, and the Office of General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Syzane began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Arthur L. Zulick of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.
Following her clerkship, Syzane accepted a full-time position with the Monroe County Public Defender. In 2014, she became a solo practitioner in Northampton County.
Syzane is currently employed part-time at the Northampton County Public Defender, in addition to representing private criminal defense clients in Northampton and Monroe counties.
Syzane resides in Roseto with her husband, Jason, and her dog, Scout. She is very involved in the community, as an attorney and as a citizen.
Syzane is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as the Northampton and Monroe County Bar Associations.
Additionally, she passionately serves on the board of Family Promise of Monroe County, a non-profit organization that shelters and services homeless families.
“Scholarships sponsored by local community organizations, citizens, and businesses are vital to fostering an environment in which education is valued and academic effort is recognized and supported. Being the first recipient of the GKEDC scholarship fostered my drive for success which has propelled me throughout my career.”