Abilene Education Foundation 2008 Scholarship
Organization / Individual Awarding Scholarship
The Abilene Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity created to promote and enhance excellence in education for the Abilene Independent School District. The AEF is authorized to provide college scholarships for students of the AISD.
Applications available at your high school counselor's office and at the Welcome Desk of One AISD Center in downtown Abilene.
DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008 AND MAILED TO:
AEF SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
P. O. BOX 1999
ABILENE, TEXAS 79604OR
ON MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008, BY 5:00 P.M. DELIVERED TO:
ONE AISD CENTER
AT THE WELCOME DESK
241 PINE STREETDescriptions
AEF scholarships seek to help graduating AISD seniors reach their full educational and career potential in the pursuit of post-secondary studies. A total of 20 scholarships will be awarded as follows:
You may apply for the scholarship for which you best qualify.
"COOL Participant" Scholarships - For those students with financial need who are participating in the COOL program* who will also be the first in their immediate family to graduate from a four-year college. (Neither mother nor father has ever graduated from a four-year college. Siblings not included.)
*See your COOL counselor if you have any question about your specific COOL program qualification.
# Awarded: 5 Cooper scholarship and 5 Abilene High Scholarships
Amount of Award:
4 Year University: $3,000 per year, renewable for an additional 3 years. Total value $12,000
2 Year Community College: $1,500 per year, renewable for an additional 1 year
(Community College students may transfer and increase award amount for a maximum of 4 years funding.)*If a COOL participant's application is not chosen for a "COOL Participant" scholarship, their application will also be considered eligible for an "At- Large" AEF scholarship.
"At-Large" Scholarships for all graduating senior students -For all graduating AISD senior students with financial need.
# Awarded: Ten scholarships will be awarded.
Amount of Award:
4 Year University: $2,000 per year, renewable for 3 additional years. Total value $8,000
2 Year Junior/Community College: $1,000 per year, renewable for 1 additional year.
(Community College students may transfer and increase award amount for a maximum of 4 years funding.)These renewable scholarships may be used for attendance at any 4-year University or 2-year Junior/Community College. Technical and vocational schools are not eligible. Scholarships may be used for direct costs including tuition, academic fees, books and/or college sponsored room and board.
Local University Matching Scholarship Funds!
If you are a recipient of an AEF scholarship and you choose to attend a local institution; Abilene Christian University, Hardin Simmons University, McMurry University and Cisco Junior College have all generously committed to match the AEF scholarship amount, within certain guidelines, in the recipient's financial aid package with university/college funded financial aid. After the AEF scholarship awards have been announced, recipients should contact the financial aid offices of these institutions as soon as possible for more information regarding admission and financial aid requirements, additional opportunities and deadlines.Eligibility
-Graduating AISD seniors (2007-2008 school year) with passing TAKS exit scores and financial need.
-Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.
-Recipients will be selected based on level of financial need, their potential to succeed in college, demonstrated character, integrity and work ethic, extra-curricular activities, employment and/or community involvement.
-Students with a GPA of 85 and above.
-Registration for full-time study (12 hours or more) at a University or Junior/Community College. Technical and Vocational schools are not eligible.
-Payment of scholarship award is dependent on the student filing the FAFSA prior to college attendance and providing proof of filing to the AEF.
Criteria for renewal:
1. The recipient must be registered for full-time study (12 hours or more) at a University or Junior/Community College.
2. After the first year of attendance, recipient must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 per semester.
3. In the event that the 2.5 GPA is not maintained, the recipient loses the scholarship for that semester. If the recipient is able to raise his/her GPA the following semester, they can continue to qualify for the scholarship as long as a 2.5 GPA per semester is maintained. The exception to this policy is for the recipient's freshman year of college when the GPA criteria is calculated for the entire freshman year.
4. Recipient must write a 1-page letter on his/her college experience and send it to the Scholarship Committee by June 15th.
5. For release of renewal payments, recipient must furnish an official college transcript showing GPA after each semester as proof of enrollment and continued scholarship eligibility.
6. If a non-response is given for the renewal information, then a certified letter will be sent using the following approximate deadlines:
Fall semester:
August 10th renewal information received
September 30th 1st past due letter deadline
October 1 Final certified letter sentSpring semester:
January 10th renewal information received
February 28th 1st past due letter deadline
March 1 Final certified letter sent7. If a student decides to discontinue higher education or fails to meet renewal criteria, student will be notified via certified, return receipt mail that their scholarship has been terminated. If a recipient qualifies for scholarship dollars in a semester, but has received more than needed, the dollars will be reserved and may be used by recipient in future semesters.Application:
The completed application packet should include:
1. Official High School Transcript through the fall semester of 12th grade with SAT and/or ACT scores, and TAKS scores as listed on transcript.2. Two letters for character references utilizing the Applicant Reference Form included in Application Packet. These references shall include at least one from a high school teacher and shall be mailed separately. We suggest that you distribute reference forms at least two weeks in advance of duedate to allow appropriate time for completion. The person completing the reference should be the individual returning it by mail or delivering it to One AISD Welcome Desk.
3. 300-400 word written essay required (typewritten) answering the question "Why do I want to attend college and how will this scholarship help meet that goal?"
4. Optional- One page student resume may be attached.
Scholarship Payment:
Scholarship payments will be sent directly to the recipient's University or Junior/Community College, 1/2 for the fall semester and 1/2 for the spring semester. Prior to scholarship payment, student must provide to AEF proof of FAFSA filing. Recipient must furnish University/College transcript showing GPA after each semester as proof of enrollment and continued scholarship eligibility. Scholarships may be used for direct costs including tuition, academic fees, books and/or college sponsored room and board. Any unused scholarship money that has been released to the university or college shall be returned to the AEF. It is the student's responsibility to send to the AEF the mailing address, phone number and contact person for the college they are attending.Scholarship Selection:
Recipients will be chosen by the AEF Selection Committee which will be composed of AEF board members and community members. This scholarship cannot be awarded to the children/grandchildren of the current members of the Board of Directors or Selection Committee members. The Selection Committee will not consider race, creed, color, religion, national origin or sex of any student in its deliberations. The Selection Committee will consist of the Scholarship Chair and five to seven members who will be appointed by the AEF Scholarship Chair.Important Dates:
Applications released- Monday, March 3, 2008
Applications due- postmarked or delivered (5:00 p.m.) by MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
Applicant Reference Forms- postmarked or delivered (5:00 p.m.) by MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
Scholarship recipients will be notified- Friday, May 16, 2008