FORT BENNING OFFICERS’ SPOUSES’ CLUB

MERIT SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

The Fort Benning Officers’ Spouses’ Club (OSC) annually awards two types of merit scholarships:

THE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FOR TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

Those who are currently High School Seniors or College Students (Graduate or Undergraduate) who have never taken a break from school.

THE CONTINUING EDUCATION MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

Those students who have taken a break in their education and are now continuing, but not necessarily taking a full course load.

Both types of scholarships can be awarded for:

a) Graduate or Undergraduate studies

b) Vocational/Technical studies (one or two year programs)

Each are judged separately, but with the exception of the submission of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, both scholarships apply the same criteria.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO:

Any family member of an active duty or retired soldier, with a valid ID card, residing in the Fort Benning/Columbus Georgia area.

SELECTION:

The OSC Scholarship Selection Committee will consist of a cross section of educators and OSC members. The OSC Scholarship Chairperson is not a voting member.

The OSC Scholarship Selection Committee will award scholarships based on merit. The following will be considered:

1. Grades, courses taken, school performance and, for traditional students,

SAT scores.

2. Community and school involvement, volunteer activities and employment.

Volunteer activities include community, school, social, church and military or civilian organizations on and off post.

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SELECTION (cont.)

3. Leadership positions held

4. Awards and honors received.

5. Written essay.

6. Written references.

The OSC Scholarship Chairperson will remove the applicant’s name and other identifying information from the application packet before review by members of the selection committee.

In the event that there are not enough qualified applicants for the scholarships, the OSC Scholarship Selection Committee reserves the right to redistribute scholarship monies.

DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOLARSHIP MONIES:

Candidate must be accepted by an accredited institution of higher learning (college, junior college, university, trade or technical school) prior to the distribution of scholarship money. The scholarship chairperson will forward scholarship money directly to the recipient’s chosen institution of higher learning upon receipt of proof of enrollment. The scholarship money must be sent to the accredited institution no later than 15 October 2008.

Scholarship money can be used toward tuition, books and/or room and board. In the event that a scholarship recipient receives an appointment to a military academy or a full scholarship that includes tuition, books and room and board, the recipient will return the scholarship monies awarded by OSC within 90 days so that other students may benefit from an OSC scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Completed scholarship application, including signed Privacy Act Statement

And Pledge.

2. Typewritten Essay

3. Copy of college acceptance letter/ statement of college registrar, if available.

4. School Records:

a. Traditional student applications must include a guidance counselor’s statement which contains; overall academic average, class rank, SAT scores, and High School Transcript.

b. Continuing Education student applications must include a copy of college transcripts with GPA, if already enrolled.

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5. Two completed Reference Forms: Can be;

a. Academic reference from a school faculty member (teacher, counselor, club advisor, coach etc.) and /or

b. Character reference from a community activity or employment (scouts, church, clubs etc.) Relatives may not be used.

6. Photocopy of the front and back of applicant’s military ID card.

All application information will be treated in a confidential manner.

ALL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE A PHOTOGRAPH TO THE OSC OFFICE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OSC NEWSLETTER, THE COMMUNIQUE.

MAIL ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:

FORT BENNING OSC

P.O. BOX 51978

FT. BENNING, GA 31905-1978

ATTN: SCHOLARSHIP

For the application to be considered, the scholarship chairperson must receive all materials as outlined herein no later than Friday, March 21, 2008.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application, including references, are received by the due date.

All applicants will be notified in writing of selection or non-selection.

Questions pertaining to the scholarship application can be directed to Nancy Carlisle, OSC scholarship chairperson, at 685-3212 or thcarlisle@aol.com.

FORT BENNING OFFICERS’ SPOUSES’ CLUB MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

APPLICATION FOR TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

Student’s Full Name_________________________________________________

Student’s Social Security Number_______________________________________

Telephone Number ___________________ Date of Birth ____________________

Address____________________________________________________________

Sponsor’s Name and Rank _____________________________________________

Sponsor’s Social Security Number _______________________________________

Sponsor’s Unit ________________________ Active Duty_____ Retired _____

Sponsor’s Relationship to Applicant_____________________________________

_____ I am applying for a Graduate/Undergraduate studies scholarship

_____ I am applying for a Vocational/Technical studies scholarship

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT AND PLEDGE

Under authority of U.S. Title 10, Section 3012, the following information is requested to evaluate a student’s application for a scholarship. The information will be maintained by the Fort Benning OSC for administrative use and released only to the individuals needed to evaluate the applications. The disclosure of information is voluntary; however, failure to disclose all or part of the requested information may hinder evaluation of the application.

I pledge that the information herein is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Should any portion be found to be inaccurate, I understand I might be disqualified. I also understand that the decision of the OSC Scholarship Selection Committee is final.

___________________________________ ___________________________

Applicant’s Signature (in ink) Date

OSC Scholarship Aplication/2

FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS OF PAPER IF NEEDED:

1. High School you presently attend and name of guidance counselor.

2. List High Schools attended in chronological order, grades 9 – 12.

School and Location Dates Attended

3. List any colleges you have attended (if currently enrolled in college).

4. List the college(s), university(s) or program(s) to which you have applied (if high school senior).

5. List institutions where you have been accepted. Please provide a copy of

acceptance letter(s) or a statement from college registrar, if available.

6. Degree or program you expect to complete as well as the expected graduation date.

7. List and describe all school-related activities, athletic participation, community

activities and other volunteer activities in which you have participated including

dates of participation.

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8. Describe leadership positions held in the last four years.

9. List honors, awards and honorary organizations.

10. List and describe all current and previous employment, including employer,

position, dates, hours worked per week during the summer and hours worked per

week during the academic year.

11. Are there any extenuating circumstances that have prevented you from

participating in extracurricular activities, volunteer activities and/or employment?

12. Provide any additional information you believe is pertinent to this application.

13. Names of Adult References: See reference instructions

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14. Essay Directions: Please submit a typewritten essay not to exceed 500 words that includes: your reasons for applying for this scholarship and continuing your education, the program or course of study selected and why, your educational plans and your personal ambitions/goals.

RELEASE: I understand that if I am awarded a scholarship I may be asked to provide a photograph to the OSC office for inclusion in the OSC Communiqué. If I am awarded a scholarship, I understand that my photograph and essay will become property of the Fort Benning Officers’ Spouses’ Club and may not be returned to me. I understand that all or part of my essay may be printed in documents circulated to the public.

_____________________________________ _______________________

Applicant’s Signature (in ink)

FORT BENNING OFFICERS’ SPOUSES’ CLUB MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

APPLICATION FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS

Applicant’s Full Name________________________________________________

Applicant’s Social Security Number______________________________________

Telephone Number ___________________ Date of Birth ____________________

Address____________________________________________________________

Sponsor’s Name and Rank _____________________________________________

Sponsor’s Social Security Number _______________________________________

Sponsor’s Unit ________________________ Active Duty_____ Retired _____

Sponsor’s relationship to applicant______________________________________

_____ I am applying for a Graduate/Undergraduate studies scholarship.

_____ I am applying for a Vocational/Technical studies scholarship.

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT AND PLEDGE

___________________________________ ___________________________

Applicant’s Signature Date

OSC Scholarship Aplication/2

FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS OF PAPER IF NEEDED:

Which college/university do you attend or to which school(s) have you applied?

Please provide a copy of your college acceptance letter or a statement from the college registrar, if available. If already enrolled, also provide a copy of your transcript and GPA, figured on a 4.0 scale.

Degree or program you expect to complete as well as the expected date of

graduation.

List all community, school, and volunteer activities (here and at previous

assignments) that will aid the selection committee in evaluating your commitment to the community. Volunteer activities include community, school, social, church and other organizations, both on and off post.

Describe leadership positions held.

List honors, awards, and honorary organizations.

List any related work experience.

7. Are there any extenuating circumstances that have prevented you from

participating in volunteer activities and/or employment outside the home?

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8. In chronological order, list high school(s) and/or college(s) you have attended

and the degree, diploma or GED received.

School and Location Dates Attended Diploma/Degree

9. Provide any additional information you believe is pertinent to this application.

10. Essay Directions: Please submit a typewritten essay not to exceed 500 words that includes: your reasons for applying for this scholarship and continuing your education, the program or course of study selected and why, your educational plans and your personal ambitions/goals.

_____________________________________ _______________________

Applicant’s Signature Date

FORT BENNING OFFICERS’ SPOUSES’ CLUB

MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FOR TRADITIONAL/CONTINUING EDUCATION STUDENTS

REFERENCE

NAME OF CANDIDATE_________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE: Print or type your name on this form and give it to the person writing your reference. Provide a stamped envelope addressed to:

Fort Benning OSC

P.O. Box 51978

Ft. Benning, GA 31905-1978

ATTN: Scholarship

OR: Have them return the reference to you and send it in with you application packet.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REFERENCE: The candidate listed is submitting an application to the Fort Benning Officers’ Spouses’ Club for a Continuing Education Merit Scholarship. To assist our selection committee in choosing the most deserving applicant, we ask that you please be honest and realistic in your evaluation of the candidate. Include comments on initiative, attitude, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and any other information you feel is pertinent. All information will be treated confidentially.

Please complete and return this form in the envelope provided by the candidate. All application materials, including this reference, must be received by Friday, March 21, 2008 for the applicant to be considered by the selection committee.

How long have you known this student?

What is your relationship to this student (professor, neighbor, employer etc…)?

Please attach comments.

______________________________ __________________

Signature Date