Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development
About the Scholarship Program
The Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD) is a non-profit organization in the United States of America, administered by former Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in the Philippines since 1961.
The purpose of the Scholarship Program is to contribute to the development of the Philippines by supporting the college education of Filipinos who are committed to community service in the Philippines in their professional and personal lives. It is targeted toward students who would otherwise not be able to attend college because of financial difficulty.
This scholarship is not intended for people planning to work overseas. Scholars are expected to contribute to their communities and country by working in the Philippines after graduation.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions at www.rpcvphilippines.org and all application instructions carefully before beginning the application. Failure to submit required documentation will result in disqualification.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a scholarship you MUST:
· Be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines
· Graduate from high school by the end of the current school year (or before)
Scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria:
· Academic excellence (Top 10 percent of most recent academic class)
· Demonstrated financial need
· Leadership potential
· Commitment to community service
· Thoughtfulness and clarity of the three Personal Statements
· Tuition rates at the proposed school (public or state-sponsored schools preferred)
· Priority may be given to students who are not yet enrolled in college
Scholarship Benefits:
· Full tuition and fees for the length of the approved educational program.
· Allowance per semester to help defray the cost of books and educational supplies.
· Stipend of approximately PhP 5000/semester as a contribution to living expenses.
· Reimbursement of other education-related expenses to be considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to prior approval.
Scholarship Obligations:
· Maintain a full load of courses and earn passing grades in all classes.
· Submit a transcript of grades at the end of each semester.
· Submit an essay at the end of each semester describing and reflecting on your experiences during the semester.
· Not accept any other scholarships in combination with this one without prior approval of PCAFPD.
· Request prior approval for changing from one course of study to another (this must be done no later than the first semester of the second year of the course).
· Request prior approval for transfer to another school.
· Participate in PCAFPD networks of scholars and selected activities (e.g. mentoring program, scholar meetings, alumni association, etc.)
· Failure to meet these obligations may lead to the loss of the scholarship.
Application Due Date: September 30 of each year
Notification of Scholarship Awards:
· Scholarship awards will be posted on the PCAFPD website (www.rpcvphilippines.org) on or about March 1. Please check the website for your name.
· Successful applicants will also be contacted directly at the address or phone number indicated on their application. Applicants who are not selected for a scholarship will not be contacted directly.
· If you are a successful candidate, it is your responsibility to contact the Manila office by April 1 in order to finalize your scholarship award.
Scholarship Application Requirements
· Completed application form (below)
· Three Personal Statements
· Grade report from your two most recent years of high school
· A letter from your high school principal:
o Certifying that you are in the top 10% of your class, and
o Describing your extra-curricular activities, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the scholarship
· One letter from your barangay captain, a religious leader, a teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer, or a civic leader (not related to you) describing:
o Your experience in, and commitment to, community service
o Your leadership potential
· All application materials, including supporting letters, must be in English.
If you are currently enrolled in college, or if you have taken some college courses, you must include the following information in addition to the requirements above:
· A complete transcript from the college(s) attended (in addition to the grade report from your last two years of high school)
· One letter of recommendation from a college professor
· On a separate page, an explanation of how you financed your college education to date and why you need financial assistance to continue
Personal Statements
Your Personal Statements are a critical part of your application for a scholarship. Please take care in their preparation.
· You are required to address three topics.
· Each statement should be equivalent in length to one sheet of “8.5 by 11” white paper, typed and double-spaced.
· On the top of each page type the following:
1) Your name
2) The date
3) The words “Personal Statement, Topic #1 (or #2 or #3)”
· Define all acronyms and abbreviations and write only in English.
· Attach the three pages to your completed application form (below).
Topic #1: (one page): Describe an event in your life that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
Topic #2 (one page): Why did you choose the proposed course of study and how will your education prepare you to contribute to your community and/or your country?
Topic #3 (one page): Describe your extra-curricular school activities, volunteer service in the community, and any leadership positions you have held. Describe the most important lessons you have learned from participation in these activities.
Scholarship Application Form
1. Name: Last ______First ______Middle ______
2. Gender (check one): Male ____ Female _____
3. Date of Birth: Month ______Day ______Year ______
4. Marital Status: ______
5. Mailing Address: ______
______
Permanent Address (if different) ______
______
Home Province ______
Telephone: ______Mobile: ______
Yahoo Email (required): ______Alternate email:______
6. Education:
a) Are you currently in High School? No ___ Yes ___ If yes, year: ______
b) Are you currently in College? No ___ Yes ___ If yes, year: ______
c) If not currently in school, highest grade completed: ______When? ______
7. What school do you plan to attend if you win this scholarship? (Give full name complete address of school):
______
______
8. This school is (check one): public (state school) ______private ______
9. Estimate the cost of tuition for a school year: ______
10. Have you passed this school’s required entrance examination? No ____ Yes____
11. What degree and course of study do you plan to pursue? ______
12. How many years will it take to complete the course of study? (If currently in college, how many years are you requesting for the scholarship?) ______
13. Will you be required to attend summer school to complete the course of study? No ___ Yes ___ If “yes,” how many summers? _____
14. Family Income: Accurate, complete information about your family income is required. Please indicate the occupation and annual income of each of the following. If you are selected for a scholarship, you will be required to submit the most recent Income Tax Return (or Certification for Exemption/non-filing of Income Tax) of the person financially responsible for you, the applicant, as a condition of the award.
Father’s (or guardian’s) Name: ______Occupation: ______Annual Income______
Mother’s (or guardian’s) Name: ______Occupation: ______Annual Income______
Spouse’s Name: (if applicable) ______
Occupation: ______Annual Income______
15. Please provide the following information about your brothers and sisters and any other children living with you and your parent(s). If you are a parent yourself, list your own children. Do not list yourself. Attach an additional page if needed.
Name Age Occupation or Year in School
______
______
______
16. How did you learn about the PCAFPD Scholarship Program? ______
17. Successful applicants will be contacted on/about March 1st. What is your preferred method of contact?
(check one) Mail____Phone____Mobile____Email____
See final check list and certification on the next page
FINAL CHECKLIST FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION: Please enter a check mark before each of the following items to certify that you have included them in this application package. If possible, keep a copy/xerox of your application for your personal records.
¨ Completed application form (pages 4 – 6 of this packet)
¨ Three Personal Statements (proofread for spelling and grammar errors)
¨ Grade report from my two most recent years of high school
¨ A letter from my high school principal certifying that I am in the top 10% of my class and describing my extra-curricular activities, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the scholarship
¨ One letter from your barangay captain, a religious leader, a teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer, or a civic leader not related to me
¨ All application materials, including supporting documents, are in English
¨ I am not including additional certificates, awards, or photos
If you are currently enrolled in college, or if you have taken some college courses, you must include the following information in addition to the requirements above:
¨ A complete transcript from the college(s) I attended (in addition to my high school grade report)
¨ One letter of recommendation from a college professor
¨ Explanation of how I financed my college education to date and why I need financial assistance to continue my education
CERTIFICATION:
I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines that the information on this application is true and correct and represents the true financial status of my family.
I have reviewed the application checklist on the following page and certify that this application is complete.
Student’s Signature: Date: ______
Parent’s or Guardian’s Signature: Date: ______
(Not necessary if you are both: (a) over 18, and (b) living independently)
Submit your completed application and all required documents postmarked no later than September 30 to
Mr. Roland de Jesus
Benguet Corporation
Universal Re Building
106 Paseo de Roxas
Makati
Revised May 2015 www.rpcvphilippines.org Page 5 of 6