OCII approves $547,500 Scholarship America contract to run Bayview Hunters Point scholarship program

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) on Oct. 19 authorized a personal services contract with Scholarship America to manage the Lennar Bayview Scholarship Fund and the College Living Stipends Fund on behalf of the Bayview Hunters Point Legacy Foundation.

The commission approved Resolution 36-2021 by a 5–0 roll-call vote. The contract term covers five academic years through Jan. 31, 2027, with total funding not to exceed $547,500, including up to $40,000 for administration. Presentation materials and staff said projected scholarship awards total $457,500 over five years and living stipends total $50,000 over five years; annual distributions were listed as $91,500 for scholarships and $10,000 for living stipends.

Kashika McKinney, OCII’s shipyard/candlestick team presenter, described eligibility criteria for program applicants: Baby Hunters Point students up to age 30, pursuing a diploma, certificate or degree program at a college, university, community college, technical or trade school, and with family or individual incomes at or below 100% of HUD area median income. Scholarship award levels described in the presentation ranged from $1,000 to $20,700 depending on need and program; the presentation also specified that students pursuing four-year or graduate programs with a minimum 3.5 GPA would be eligible for a $5,000 award.

Dr. Honeycutt, chair of the Legacy Foundation, urged approval and described outreach and research the foundation conducted with students. He recounted a vivid example of student need: "I can remember one student vividly telling me that when he got to college, he didn't even have sheets to put on his bed or clothes to wear," he said, as part of an appeal to fund stipends that cover basic living needs.

Two callers spoke in support: Oscar James, a longtime Bayview Hunters Point resident, urged commissioners to ensure displaced families and those relocated after shipyard closure are reached in outreach; LaShawn Walker, vice president of community affairs for 5 Point, said community benefits work is ongoing and recommended approval. Commissioners asked whether age limits might be broadened in future funding rounds; staff said the current DDA limits eligibility to age 30 for this program but the Legacy Foundation could consider broader programs if additional funds become available.

Commissioner Scott moved approval; Commissioner Beiser seconded. The resolution passed on a 5–0 roll call. The presentation set a planned application website launch in January 2022, an application deadline around April 2022 and scholarship disbursements in August 2022 should the program proceed on schedule.