Fatness Fiction 2017-2018 Scholarship

Weight is never a conversation individuals want to engage in, especially when it includes being on the heavier end of the spectrum. As a young child, I always found myself pulling at my clothes to hide the weight underneath to pulling out of social events hoping to keep away from becoming the butt of a joke. However, it never worked in my favor. I found myself trying to find something to strive and be great at. Something no one could take from me. Something that did not focus on my weight, but my intelligence. I quickly learned that there were spaces, even in higher education that could create isolating atmospheres for me and my frame. My intelligence and character (consciously or unconsciously) was tested or second guessed until I proved myself in a plethora of ways. This “proving of self” would include me trying to reduce the perception of being “dumb”, “lazy”, or “incoherent”. Instead, I tried to conform by striving to be the “cool”, “friendly”, “funny”, or “willing to pick up all the work” type of student. These academic and social interactions changed me. In many cases, these experiences have changed other students. But we must keep grinding.

To support the grind, Fatness Fiction has created an inaugural scholarship to support college students dealing with body image. Body image is often not part of the academic or identity development discussions. For me, it was usually the most attacked or avoided conversation. There is also a lack of understanding in regard to how large bodies or plus size persons are experiencing the world and the narratives behind these persons navigating the space of academia. I found a space for my voice to be heard while obtaining scholarships. I received multiple scholarships as an undergraduate to push forward my desire to have a narrative of greatness and change the perceptions of being lazy because of my weight. I wanted to shift the discussion from my body to my continuous grind to become the best academic beast in my lane. You could not take that goal from me like you could take my confidence by finding flaws in my weight. I wrapped myself in academic pursuits and made opportunities for myself. To continue that legacy of opportunities, the Fatness Fiction scholarship flourished.

Purpose:

The Fatness Fiction scholarship is to support college students (any post-secondary institution including vocational, 2-year, 4-year, and professional) that have navigated collegiate/post-secondary spaces while living in a larger body. Higher education spaces are challenging for most, but there are clear populations that are overlooked.

Allow us to introduce the 2017-2018 Fatness Fiction Scholarship tailored to provide a space to support those chasing the college hustle, while dealing with personal identity development as a larger body considered “problematic” to society. As you apply for this scholarship, continue to flourish in your academic goals and +Plus Size Magic!

Eligibility:

1. Current collegiate students. This includes all post-secondary education institutions (vocational, 2-year, 4-year, professional).
2. Identify as “plus size”. This identity may be considered subjective. However, we respect those dealing with weight related issues. We trust that you will respect the mission of Fatness Fiction and not use this as an opportunity to exploit support and/or funding sources for those who are in need of this resource.
3. 18 years or older.

Entry Requirements:

1. The completed application form. Incomplete forms will not be reviewed. You will need to have a Gmail (Google) account. If you currently do not have one, please use the free service to create an account.
   1. This allows for us to streamline applications and information.
2. Student must have a 2.7 or higher, Grade Point Average (GPA).
   1. Please upload current transcripts (2017) from institution blocking out identifying information (Social Security Number/Student ID Number). You may use the last semester (winter/spring/summer 2017) if your grades are not posted for 2017 fall semester by the time you apply.
   2. Please Note: A class schedule will not count as an acceptable form of identification/verification for enrollment. If you have questions, please contact us via email.
3. Choose one of the following options as your scholarship submission (Choose only one). Multiple entries (including using other email addresses) will forfeit your application.

ESSAY

1. Write a one page response to the following prompt. Please use 12point font, 1 inch margins, and check for spelling and grammatical errors.
   1. How has your identity as a larger person impacted your identity development  as a college student and in what ways have you dispelled myths or misconceptions about your size to prevail through academia?

VIDEO

1. Create 30 second video (that can be used on Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, or Facebook) that explains how you have experienced or overcame challenges of being a bigger body within academia and how you went about doing so. Please use the following prompt as guide.
   1. How has your identity as a larger person impacted your identity development as a college student and in what ways have you dispelled myths or misconceptions about your size to prevail through academia? 

FREESTYLE/SPOKEN WORD VIDEO/LYRICS

1. Record a 60 second freestyle rap/spoken word piece over the “Plus Size Magic Radio” intro beat and use the following prompt as a guide. You will need to record as a video and attached a document with the lyrics typed. If this option is selected, please email info@fatnessfiction.com to receive the music file. By selecting this option, you understand you do not have rights to the musical file and you cannot use this file for personal use. This speaks solely to the rights of the beat.
   1. How has your identity as a larger person impacted your identity development as a college student and in what ways have you dispelled myths or misconceptions about your size to prevail through academia?

ARTWORK

1. Create a work of art around the prompt provided below as a guide. This may include digital art, sculpture, 2-D, 3-D, canvas, etc. We ask that each piece includes a 250-500 word explanation speaking to how the artwork responds to the provided prompt. Please upload both files to the application. When submitted, please take a photo of any artwork that may not be a digital file.
   1. How has your identity as a larger person impacted your identity development as a college student and in what ways have you dispelled myths or misconceptions about your size to prevail through academia?

Each submission will be reviewed for content. Please do not select what you believe will be the easiest. This is a space to speak to the individual creativity of each applicant in as many platforms as possible. Applications will be scored based on how the prompt is executed.

Application Opens: Sunday, October 22, 2017

Deadline: Friday, January 5, 2018 at 11:59 pm

Notification of Award: January 31, 2018

Amount of Award: $500

If there are any questions, please contact Ellise Smith at Info@FatnessFiction.com. You may also visit our website to learn more about us at www.fatnessfiction.com and review scholarships information under +Scholarship.

We look forward to your work and supporting everything +magical about you!

Click here to apply (will open another webpage to Google form)

2018-2019 SCHOLARSHIP WILL GO LIVE OCTOBER 22, 2018! Check back soon!