The Minerva Scholarship Fund 2016

THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIP FUND 2016

Scholarships for Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Women Returning to School

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Information

In recognition of the special difficulties faced by women who are returning to higher education after at least one year’s interruption, the Minerva Scholarship Fund offers scholarships for the completion of degrees and certifications. Current recipients successfully progressing toward their degrees and certifications are encouraged to apply for continuing scholarship assistance.

The Minerva Scholarship Fund, an endowment fund, was established in 1991 by AAUW (American Association of University Women) members Colonel Sybil Mercer, Colonel Florence Casey and Ruth Taylor. These founders wanted to encourage tax-deductible contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school. In addition to assistance with four-year and graduate degrees, Minerva also assists women seeking vocational training at a vocational school or community college, or an AA degree from a community college.

Requirements

Applicantsmay be presently attending or enrolled in an accredited educational institution and may be full or part-time.
Applicants must currently live in the Peninsula School District and must have been a resident here for at least one year.
Write a personal statement to help the review committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants.
Demonstrate your need of financial assistance to complete your education.
Document your academic competence, include sealed transcripts from high school(s) and/or college(s).
Give your plan of action and timeline for completion of your educational program.
Request letters of recommendation from three individuals. Two of the letters should be from people familiar with your academic competence.
Submit your completed application on or before July 1, 2016.

Notification

Applicants will be notified by August 7, 2016 of the disposition of their application. Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the financial aid office of the college/school. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and related education expenses as deemed appropriate by the financial aid office.

Scholarship awards may be used until December 31, 2017. Any unused funds will be returned to the Minerva Scholarship Fund.

If you have any further questions, please contact Pat Berger,Scholarship Committee Chair, at 253 851-2534.

Application Checklist Please be sure you have included all of the following:

_____1. Completed all sections of the Scholarship Application Form. Any section not

complete will cause the application to be rejected.

_____2. Sealed grade transcripts for high school (if possible) and all past and current college

or vocational school courses.

_____3. Arranged for three letters of recommendation from people who know

your educational background, work experience, and personal circumstances. These

letters should be mailed directly to the Scholarship Committee by yourreferences.

_____4. Written apersonal statement no longer than one page and in font size 12. Your

personal statement should be a comprehensive overview. It is your opportunity to

introduce yourself to the Scholarship Committee. Use it to help us understand who you are, what your goals are and how your plan could make them a reality.

MS Word Template for completion of Application

Applications may be completed on a computer using Microsoft Word. A template will be sent to you via e-mail. If you prefer, a disk with the template on it, will be sent upon request. Please contact Elizabeth Robinson via e-mail:

All formatting and pagination on the template is preset. You just type into the gray shaded form field boxes. As you tab into the form field boxes, instructions will appear on the task bar at the bottom of the window, or press the F1 key.

You may use as many lines as necessary for any question; pagination is automatic
If you have questions about completing the form on the template contact Elizabeth Robinson.

Handwritten Application Form

If you prefer to handwrite your application, indicate that when making your request and the appropriate form will be sent to you. If you need additional space to answer a question, attach additional pages.

Presentation of Application

All requirements of this application must be met in order to be considered for a scholarship. Completed applications must be received by July 1, 2016.

Mail applications to:Minerva Scholarship Committee

PO Box 2705

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Application form

NAME:______

(Last)(First)(Middle)

STREET ADDRESS______

CITY, STATE, ZIP______

MAILING ADDRESS, if different from above

ADDRESS______

CITY, STATE, ZIP______

TELEPHONE______BIRTH DATE ______

EMAIL ADDRESS______

Application form (Continued)

Educational Background

High School(s)______

Or GEDName and PlaceGraduation year

Colleges/Vocational______

Name and PlaceDates AttendedGraduation Year

Colleges/Vocational______

Name and PlaceDates AttendedGraduation Year

Colleges/Vocational______

Name and PlaceDates AttendedGraduation Year

Colleges/Vocational______

Name and PlaceDates AttendedGraduation Year

High School GPA (4.0 Scale) _____College GPA (4.0 scale) _____

Attach high school, GED &/or college transcripts. These transcripts must be sealed. A high school transcript is required for applicants with less than 15 college credits.

Application form (Continued)

EDUCATIONAL PLAN

What institution are you now or do you plan to attend? You must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution to qualify for a Minerva scholarship?______

______

What will your grade level be when you begin the 2016-2017 term?

_____1st year undergraduate (Freshman)_____1st year of certificate program

_____2nd year undergraduate (Sophomore)_____2nd year of certificate program

_____3rd year undergraduate (Junior)_____3rd year of certificate program

_____4th year undergraduate (Senior)

_____5th year undergraduate

_____1st year graduate/professional/masters

_____continuing graduate/professional or beyond. Specify ______

What is your area of study?______

What degree or certificate will you be working on during the 2016-2017 school year?

_____1st bachelor’s _____2nd bachelor’s _____Associate degree (Occupational or technical)

_____Associate degree (general education or transfer program)

_____Certificate or diploma (occupational, technical or education program less than 2 years)

_____Certificate or diploma (occupational, technical or education program of 2 or more years)

_____Teaching credential

_____Graduate or professional degree

_____Other, specify______

When do you plan to complete your degree/certification?______

Application form (Continued)

What plan of action and timeline do you have for meeting these educational goals and completing your degree/certificate?

Assess the highest risk(s) that may prevent you from carrying out your plan.

How do you plan to address the risk(s)?

How would you use any scholarship awarded?

Application form (Continued)

WORK EXPERIENCE: Employer, type of work, dates employed, responsibilities, full/part time.

Present:

Past:

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Briefly explain personal, community, school professional interests:

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS ACHIEVEMENTS:

PERSONAL HOBBIES, INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES:

FINANCIALWORK SHEET

Monthly IncomeMonthly Expense

(net 2015 after income tax)(for the time period scholarship would be used)

Salary:Education expense per term:

Applicant______Tuition ______

Spouse, if applicable______Books/supplies______

Education Support:Other (list)______

Loans______

Grants______

Other______

Child Support/

Alimony______Total Education expense:______

SNAP/ADC/

Aid Programs______

Savings/Interest/Monthly Education Expense______

Dividends______(total Education Expense

Trust______divided by # months in term)

Military/Veteran

BenefitsMonthly Living Expense

Social Security______Rent/Mortgage Payment______

Other Income orFood/Groceries/Eating out______

Resources (list)Utilities______

______Clothing______

______Phone/Internet______

Medical/Dental Insurance______

Total Monthly Income______Medical/Dental Payments______

Automobile (Payment/

Other InformationInsurance)______

Savings & investmentTransportation (gas, tolls, etc.)______

Accounts______Other Insurance (home, life, etc.)______

Education Support______Child Care______

Total (from above)Other Expenses (list)

Marital status (select one)______

Single, married, separated,______

Divorced, widowed______

Ages of dependent childrenTotal monthly living expenses______

______

Other dependents (list)

______

RESOURCE AND EXPENSE SUMMARY FORM

This information reflects income and expense totals from the financial worksheet (page 6).

Total Monthly Education Expense______

Total Monthly Living Expense______

Total of all Monthly Expenses______

Total Monthly Income______

Total Monthly Education Support______

Total Monthly Income all sources______

Compare your financial resources and expenses (Total Monthly Income and Total Monthly Expense). Please furnish an explanation of how you would be able to achieve your educational goals if a scholarship would not be sufficient to bridge a gap between income and expense.

Additional information may be requested from the financial aid office of your chosen educational institution. All financial and personal information will be kept confidential within the Minerva Scholarship Fund selection committee.

The information submitted to the Minerva Scholarship Fund is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

______Applicant printed name

______Applicant signature

______Date signed

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION FOR A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANT

Name of Applicant:______

Address of Applicant:______

______

The Person named above has applied for scholarship assistance from the Minerva Scholarship

Fund*. Awards are made to women who are returning to college or vocational school after an interruption in their education of at least one year. Financial need is a major criterion in awarding the scholarships.

How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? ______

______

Please comment on the applicant’s ability and qualifications for success. Include any other observations you have as to the applicant’s financial situation, character and achievements.

______

Name: ______Position: ______

Address: ______

Phone:______E-Mail Address:______

Signature:______Date:______

Please mail this recommendation to arrive no later than JULY 2, 2016, directly to:

Minerva Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 2705

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

*The Minerva Scholarship Fund is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) endowment fund established in 1991 by AAUW members to encourage contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school.

1 Rev. April, 2016