The Dora Chaffin Scholarships
The Dora Chaffin SWCD Employee/Dependent Scholarships (the “Dora Chaffin Scholarships”) are offered by the Educational Foundation of the VASWCD in honor and memory of Dora Crute Chaffin, wife of Wilkie Chaffin, former president of the VASWCD and the Educational Foundation. Wilkie Chaffin has provided funds for the Dora Chaffin Endowment Fund to support the Dora Chaffin Scholarships. The Dora Chaffin Scholarships are designed to help provide financial support to Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) employees pursuing college degrees to enhance their district job skills or to members of the employees’ families.
An applicant for a Dora Chaffin Scholarship must be one of the following:
- A full-time district employee taking a leave of absence to attend an accredited, four-year college full-time to earn a first Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in a natural resources related area. It is expected that the employee will remain with the district if and when the degree is completed.
- A full-time district employee attending an accredited, four-year college part-time to earn a first Bachelor’s or Master’s natural resources related degree. It is expected that the employee will remain with the district if and when the degree is completed.
- The spouse, daughter, son, or other dependent of a full-time district employee, where the dependent is attending an accredited, four-year college full-time to earn a Bachelor’s natural resources related degree.
The recipient of a Dora Chaffin Scholarship may apply the next year to have the scholarship renewed. Of course, that application would be judged against other renewal applications and new scholarship applications.
Normally, at least one scholarship will be awarded each year if there are sufficiently qualified applicants. The scholarship will be applied to tuition costs, and will be a minimum of $2,000. In addition to job history and accomplishments, academic background, community service history, proposed major, and potential future conservation related contributions, financial need will be considered when reviewing scholarship applications. For this reason, the applicant and/or applicant’s parents(s) or guardian(s) must be willing to provide some limited information on total family income.
The Dora Chaffin Scholarship Application
Be sure to read each question carefully to be sure it applies to you before you attempt to answer it. If you are unable to provide any information requested, notify Kendall Tyree at the Association Office. The completed Application Form is due back at the VASWCD Office by May 30, 2017.
1. Applicant Name ______
Home Address ______
Home and/or Cell Number ______
Email Address ______
2. If you are a district employee, for which district do you work and what is your job at the district? ______
If you are the husband or wife of a district employee, what is his/her name and for which district does he/she work? ______
If you are the son or daughter of a district employee, what is his/her name and for which district does he/she work? ______
3. If you plan to pursue a Master’s Degree, then attach the official college transcript from the college from which you received your Bachelor’s degree. Your transcript must show the official college seal. If you have taken the GRE Test, provide information on the score you received.
a. Name of undergraduate College ______
b. Degree, Major and year (or expected year) of Bachelor’s Degree ______
c. Your overall college grade point average (GPA) and maximum possible GPA (For example, 3.4 out of 4) ______
d. GRE Score ______
4. If you plan to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree and have attended college before, then attach your most recent college transcript. If you have taken the SAT, provide information on the score you received.
SAT Score ______
5.If you have not attended college before, attach your high school transcript. Your transcript must show the official school seal. If you have taken the SAT, provide information on the score you received.
a. Name of your high school ______
b. Date (or expected date) of high school graduation ______
c. Your overall high school grade point average (GPA) and maximum possible GPA (For example, 3.4 out of 4) ______
d. SAT Score ______
6.What College(s) are you planning to use this scholarship to attend? (Name and location)
(1)______
(2)______
Intended Major or Field of Study: ______
7Please provide the AdjustedGross Income value (Line 43) from your, or your family’s, most recent Federal Income Tax Form 1040. This number is based on total family income, number and type of dependents in the family, required family expenses, etc., and provides some information on your financial need for the Scholarship. ______
8.If you are an SWCD employee, provide information about your history and accomplishments at the District. Attach additional information as needed.
______
______
______
______
9.Other Leadership & Activity Experience
a.If you are the spouse of an SWCD employee, list any environmental leadership or activity experience you may have, including participation in community activities, Envirothon, Youth Conservation Camp, 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), etc. Attach additional information as needed.
______
______
______
______
b.If you are the son or daughter of an SWCD employee, list other important community and/or school extracurricular activities in which you have or currently are participating. Indicate any activities in which you hold or have held office and note which position. Include other activities such as Envirothon, Youth Conservation Camp, 4-H, FFA, athletics, music, drama, dance, public speaking, clubs, societies, public events/exhibits or awards, list honors or letters earned. Attach additional information as needed.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
10.References/Letters of Recommendation
If you are an SWCD employee, attach at least one letter of recommendation concerning your work at your district and, if appropriate, one letter concerning your conservation related work outside the district with other districts, the VASWCD, VACDE, partner agency, etc.
a.Name of Reference: ______
Position/Relation to Applicant: ______Telephone: ______
Address: ______
b.Name of Reference: ______
Position/Relation to Applicant: ______Telephone: ______
Address: ______
If you are the spouse or son or daughter of an SWCD employee, then submit at least two letters of reference from people (other than family members) who can provide additional information about your academic and community activities. Share with your references that the purpose of this scholarship is to promote through education the conservation of our natural resources by providing financial support to students majoring in a curriculum related to natural resource conservation or environmental studies. List below details on those from whom you have requested recommendation letters.
a.Name of Reference: ______
Position/Relation to Applicant: ______Telephone: ______
Address: ______
b.Name of Reference: ______
Position/Relation to Applicant: ______Telephone: ______
Address: ______
11. Essay
Attach a typed essay of approximately 400-500 words describing yourself and your involvement/interest in the environment. Include information such as,
a. How will attaining your college degree promote the conservation of natural resources in your community?
b.What you feel is the most important environmental issue in your community?
c.Why is this scholarship important to you?
12.Signatures/Certification
In submitting this application, I hereby certify that the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Falsification of information may result in termination of any scholarship granted.
Applicant: ______Date: ______
Parent/Guardian, if Appropriate: ______Date: ______
Reminder - Attachments to Include: Official Transcript, Letters of Recommendation, Essay & any additional information.
Kendall Elaine Tyree, MPA, PhD
VASWCD Executive Director
7308 Hanover Green Drive, Suite 100
Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111
Office - 804.559.0324; Toll Free - 1.800.727.6354
Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts - A partnership to conserve natural resources –