2011-2012 Student Development Opportunities
NSF Scholarships for STEM Majors
Through a generous grant from the National Science Foundation, the Appalachian College Association is pleased to offer scholarships of $6,000 per academic year to students studying the Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (or STEM) majors. As the recipient of a STEM scholarship, you will be responsible for attending the Student Summit in October of 2012 and returning surveys to the ACA as required by NSF.
The eligible student must:
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Be a U.S. Citizen, documented refugee or permanent resident
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A full-time sophomore, junior or senior status at the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year
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Must qualify for federal financial aid and have a declared major in a natural science, technology or engineering discipline, or mathematics.
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Have a 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Some preference is given to graduates of high schools in the Appalachian region (as defined by the ARC, www.arc.gov).
A complete application includes:
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A completed online application, including a 500-word narrative describing your a) career ambitions, b) commitment to the Appalachian region, and c) the potential benefits to Appalachia of your degree choice
The following items to be emailed in PDF format to apply@acaweb.org
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Transcript showing grades through Fall 2011 (issued from register, unofficial copy is acceptable);
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Two letters of endorsement, on college letterhead, from faculty members in your discipline, including a faculty member’s agreement to be a mentor to the student
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A letter, on college letterhead, from the financial aid director stating the student’s financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
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A letter of endorsement, on letterhead, from the Chief Academic Officer
Applications are no longer being accepted.
Award notification: April 16, 2012
STEM Scholar Travel Grants
STEM travel grants (maximum award $500 per academic year) are available to any student currently receiving a STEM Scholarship. These travel grants assist with the costs of attending an academic conference, providing students with valuable professional development and networking opportunities. These funds cannot be used to sponsor research trips.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and notification of status will be sent electronically.
Eligibility:
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You must be a current NSF STEM Scholarship recipient
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Be an enrolled, undergraduate student at the time of the application
Student Scholar Responsibilities:
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Upon your return, submit a 1- 2 page report to the ACA, as well as the office of your institution’s Chief Academic Officer, outlining what was learned and the benefits received.
How to Apply:
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Complete the online application for STEM Travel Grants
The following items to be emailed to apply@acaweb.org
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A recommendation letter from a faculty member explaining why you would benefit from attending the conference
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Letter of Endorsement from your Chief Academic Officer
{Note: For Chief Academic Officers (CAO)}
*Student travel grants may cover registration, lodging, meals and travel to and from the conference. This includes the cost rental cars and gas, or mileage on a personal vehicle (calculated at the current federal rate). The ACA CANNOT pay for alcohol or the expenses of guests or traveling companions.
NOTE: Only ONLINE applications will be accepted. Applications received by email, mail, or fax will not be accepted.
Begin Your Application.......
Barbara Paul Robinson Scholarship
The Appalachian College Association is pleased to announce the Barbara Paul Robinson Scholarship, named in honor of a New York City attorney who provided pro bono services to the association. A scholarship in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded annually to an ACA college student who shows great interest and potential to be an attorney and dedicated to making a positive change in Appalachia.
The successful applicant must agree to write a thank you note to Ms. Robinson (with copy sent to the ACA) and agree to send the ACA a yearly update of their progress while attending law school (1 page or less, due in December). Updates are used to prepare reports and grant proposals, ensuring that the Robinson Scholarship is available in future years.
Eligibility:
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Must be a student of an ACA member institution
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Full-time senior in the spring of 2012
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Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale)
A complete application includes:
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A 500-word essay describing the applicant’s personal and academic background and professional goals as a conscientious attorney, including any steps towards applying for law school or legal internships, if any
The following items to be emailed to apply@acaweb.org
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Transcript showing grades through Fall 2011 (issued from register, unofficial copy is acceptable);
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Documentation of acceptance or application to law school (A letter of acceptance from the school, an application receipt, etc.)
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A letter of endorsement from a faculty member on your campus
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A letter of endorsement from the Chief Academic Officer
Applications are no longer being accepted
Award notification: March 15, 2012
ACA IFSA-Butler Study Abroad Scholarship:
The Appalachian College Association (ACA) in partnership with IFSA-Butler is committed to providing students enrolled in ACA member institutions with opportunities that will increase global awareness and multicultural appreciation.
In order to encourage students to study abroad, the ACA IFSA-Butler partnership awards scholarships to eligible students, based on need, which plan to enroll in an approved IFSA-Butler study abroad program.
The amount awarded is dependent on the applicant pool, available funding and the duration of the intended program.
Term Minimum Award
Academic Year $2,000
Calendar Year $2,000
Semester $1,000
Summer $ 500
Student Eligibility:
a) Be enrolled and in good standing at an ACA member institution
b) Have demonstrated financial need* as determined by the home institution’s financial aid office.
*[Financial need is determined by Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) subtracted from the Cost of Attendance (COA). The difference is considered the amount of financial need.]
The applicant must submit one PDF containing three components to be considered:
a) Submit a completed and signed ACA-IFSA-Butler Study Abroad Scholarship Application (Application Part A)
b) Submit official documentation stating the applicant is enrolled and in good standing at an ACA member institution
c) Submit official documentation from institution’s financial aid office stating financial need as defined above
Completed components scanned into one PDF must be submitted electronically to apply@acaweb.org. Applicants that submit components separately/not in a single PDF format will not be considered.
Application deadlines:
Spring Semester 2012: October 15, 2011
Calendar Year 2012: October 15, 2011
Summer 2012: March 15, 2012
Fall Semester 2012: March 15, 2012
2012-2013 Academic Year: March 15, 2012
To learn about IFSA-Butler Study Abroad Programs –
go to www.ifsa-butler.org
Colonel Lee B. Ledford Scholarship
The Lee B. Ledford Student Research Endowment supports summer research experiences for students enrolled at ACA member institutions. Students in a variety of disciplines have been supported in the past: e.g., English, sociology, history, biology, computer science, and religious studies.
The Ledford Awards support many forms of research: laboratory and field work, interviews, analyzing special collections, participant observation, etc. Research proposals with a strong service component are welcome. Library research (particularly using the Bowen Central Library of Appalachia) is strongly encouraged.
Applications must have the support of a faculty member who will agree to serve as a mentor to you throughout your research project. Please review the expectations for faculty mentors by referring to the Faculty Mentor Guidelines.
The Ledford Endowment provides stipends for students only at a rate of $8.50/hour ($5,120 max) and an allotment of $1,000 for equipment and travel. No funding is available for faculty mentors.
The eligible student must:
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Be a full-time student, returning to an ACA institution for at least one semester following the research term;
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Have graduated from high school or been home schooled in a designated Appalachian or contiguous county as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov);
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Have a 2.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
The eligible project:
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Must receive the endorsement of the faculty mentor and chief academic officer;
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Cannot have more than two Ledford supported students participating;
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May include travel necessary to achieve the research goals if the faculty mentor accompanies the student.
If you are eligible to apply for a Ledford Scholarship, please review the complete list of application materials and responsibilities.
View examples of a previously funded Ledford in Humanities narrative or a Ledford in Sciences narrative
This opportunity is now complete but will open again at the end of the year. Please check back in November 2012.