AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of UNIVERSITY WOMEN Gig Harbor

In recognition of the special difficulties faced by women who are returning to higher education after at least one year’s interruption, the Minerva Scholarship Fund offers scholarships for the completion of degrees and certifications. Current recipients who are successfully progressing toward their degrees and certifications are encouraged to apply for continuing scholarship assistance. Please note that age is not a barrier to achieving your dream.

The Minerva Scholarship Fund, an endowment fund, established in 1991 by AAUW(American Association of University Women) members Colonel Sybil Mercer, Colonel Florence Casey and Ruth Taylor. These founders wanted to encourage tax-deductible contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school. In addition to assistance with four-year and graduate degrees, Minerva also offers scholarship assistance to women seeking vocational training either at a vocational school or community college, or an AA degree from a community college.

General requirements for the Minerva Scholarships – Applicants MUST . . .

Be an adult woman who is returning to school to complete a vocational program, a two-year degree from a community college, or a four-year or graduate degree.
Be full or part-time student, presently attending or enrolled in an accredited educational institution.
Be living in the Peninsula School District and must have been a resident of the District for at least one year.
Write a personal statement to help the review committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants. (See attached questions to ask yourself before you write)
Demonstrate the need of financial assistance to complete education.
Provide documented academic competence. Sealed transcripts from high school(s) and college(s).
Present a plan of action and timeline for completion of educational program.
Provide letters of recommendation from three individuals, two of the letters should be from individuals who are familiar with your academic competence.

CompletedApplications are due July 1, 2014.

Individual applicants will be notified by August 7, 2014, as to the disposition of their Applications. The scholarship awards will be paid directly to the financial aid office of the college/school. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and related education expenses as deemed appropriate by the financial aid office

Scholarship awards may be used until December 31, 2015. Any unused funds will be returned to the Minerva Fund.

If there are further questions, please contact Pat Berger at

THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Application Checklist/Information

Please ensure that you have:

_____1.Completed all sections of the Scholarship Application Form -- any sections not complete will cause the application to be rejected.

_____2.Attached sealed grade transcripts for high school (if possible) and all past and current college or vocational school courses.

_____3.Arranged for three letters of recommendation from people who know your educational background, work experience, and personal circumstances. These recommendations should be mailed directly to the Scholarship Committee by your references. (see address below)

_____4.Included a personal statement. The personal statement should be a comprehensive overview and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Scholarship Committee. Use it to help the Committee understand who you are, what your dreams and aspirations are and what your plansare to make these dreams a reality. Please limit your statement to ONE PAGE.

MS Word Template for completion of Application

Applications downloaded from this website may be completed on a computer using MS Word. If requested a template will be sent to you via e-mail.

All formatting and pagination on the template is preset— type into the gray shaded form field boxes (as you tab into the form field boxes, instructions will appear on the task bar at the bottom of the window or press the F1 key).

You may use as many lines as necessary for any question; pagination is automatic when you use the template.
If you have questions about completing the form on the template please call Pat Berger at .

Handwritten Form for completion of Application

If you prefer to handwrite your Application, please indicate such when requesting the application and an appropriate application form will be sent to you. If you need additional space to answer a question, please attach additional pages.

Presentation of Application

All requirements must be met in order to be considered for the scholarships.

Completed Applications must be received by: July 1, 2014.

Mail Applications to:Minerva Scholarship Committee

PO Box 2705

Gig Harbor WA 98335

Questions to ask yourself before you write your Personal Statement:(limit to one page)

What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story?
What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals). This will help the committee better understand you and help set you apart from other applicants?
When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?
How have you learned about this field—through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
If you have worked, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth?
What are your career goals?
Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life?
What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, and/or persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?
What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?
What are the most compelling reasons you can give to the selection committee to help them understand your interestin receiving this scholarship?
Please let us know how you heard about the Minerva Scholarship Fund.

THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Application Checklist/Information

NAME

(Last)(First)(Middle)

STREET ADDRESS

CITY, STATE AND ZIP

MAILING ADDRESS (if different from above)

STREET ADDRESS

CITY, STATE AND ZIP

TelephoneBirth date

E-Mail Address

Marital Status (check one)SingleMarriedSeparatedDivorcedWidowed

Spouse’s occupation, if married

Ages of dependent children

Other dependents (list)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

High School(s)

(Name and Place)Graduation Year

Colleges

(Name and Degree)Dates AttendedGraduation Year

HIGH SCHOOL GPA (4.0 scale) COLLEGE GPA (4.0 scale)

Attach high school and college transcripts (transcripts must be sealed)

EDUCATIONAL PLAN:

What institution are you now attending or do you plan to attend? You must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution to be eligible for either the Minerva scholarships.

When and where (will be) your first quarter/semester?

What are your educational goals?

What plans of action and timeline have you for meeting these educational goals and completing your degree/certificate?

Assess the highest risk(s) that may impede you from being able to carry out your plan of action.

How do you plan to mitigate the risk(s)?

How would you use any scholarship awarded?

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THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Application Checklist/Information

WORK EXPERIENCE: List employer, type of work, dates employed, full or part-time jobs.

Present:

Past:

Past

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Briefly list and explain personal, community, school and professional interests.

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS, & ACHIEVEMENTS:

Personal Hobbies, Interests & Activities:

Financial Need: Complete the Income and Expense Statement and attach an explanation of your financial circumstances. Applicants may be asked for supporting documentation of financial information, such as a copy of income tax return or information from the Financial Aid Office of your chosen school or college. Financial information will be kept confidential.

Date

Signature of Applicant

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THE MINERVA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Application Checklist/Information

Income and Expense Statement

Monthly Income: (Deduct taxes withheld)

Salary:Applicant

Spouse (if married)

Loans/Grants (list)

Child Support/Alimony

A.D.C./Food Stamps

Savings Interest/Dividends

Trust Income

Other Income (list)

Total Monthly Income:

Additional Information:

Total in Savings & Investment Accounts

Total in Educational Loans

Total Other Debt (mortgage, credit cards,
car loans, etc.)

Education Expenses PER TERM

Tuition

Books/Educational Supplies

Transportation (education related)

Childcare (education related)

Other (list)

Total Education Expenses:

Number of Months per Term:

(Quarter or Semester)

Divide Total Education Expenses by

Number of Months per Term to determine:

Monthly Education Expenses: *

*Enter this amount on the Monthly Education Expenses line in the next column.

Complete this Section in full, using amounts for the time period a scholarship would be used.

Monthly Living Expenses:

Rent or Mortgage Payment

Food/Groceries/Eating Out

Utilities

Clothing

Phone

Medical/Dental Insurance

Medical/Dental Payments

Automobile (payment, insurance,

gas, etc.)

Other Insurance

Childcare (non-educated related)

Other Expenses (list)

Total Monthly Living Expenses:

Add:

*Monthly Education Expenses:

(from bottom of first column)

Applicant: Compare your Total Monthly Income with your Total Monthly Expenses. These figures should show that your goal of attending school is possible with the help of a scholarship, if awarded. Otherwise, please furnish the financial plan you will use to complete your education (other scholarships, loans, employment, family, help, etc.)

Signature of Applicant

Date

Financial information will be kept confidential.

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The Minerva Scholarship Fund

Scholarships for Gig Harbor and Key PeninsulaWomen Returning to School

Personal Recommendation for Scholarship Applicant

Name of Applicant:

Address of Applicant:

The person whose name appears above has applied for scholarship assistance from the Minerva Scholarship Fund*. Awards are made to adult women who are returning to college or vocational school after an interruption in their education. Financial need is a major criterion in awarding the scholarships.

How long have you known the Applicant and in what capacity?

Please comment on the Applicant’s ability and qualifications for success. Any other observations you would care to make as to the applicant’s financial situation, character, achievements, etc., will be appreciated. Attach a separate sheet if you would like more space than is provided.

Name: Position:

Address:

Phone: E-Mail Address:

Signature:Date:

Please mail this recommendation to arrive no later than: JULY 1, 2014, directly to:

Minerva Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 2705,

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

*The Minerva Scholarship Fund is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) endowment fund established in 1991 by AAUW members to encourage contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school.

Name of Applicant:

Address of Applicant:

How long have you known the Applicant and in what capacity?

Please comment on the Applicant’s ability and qualifications for success. Any other observations you would care to make as to the applicant’s financial situation, character, achievements, etc., will be appreciated.Attach a separate sheet if you would like more space than is provided

Name: Position:

Address:

Phone: E-Mail Address:

Signature:Date:

Please mail this recommendation to arrive no later than: JULY 1, 2014, directly to:

Minerva Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 2705,

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

*The Minerva Scholarship Fund is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) endowment fund established in 1991 by AAUW members to encourage contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school.

Name of Applicant:

Address of Applicant:

How long have you known the Applicant and in what capacity?

Please comment on the Applicant’s ability and qualifications for success. Any other observations you would care to make as to the applicant’s financial situation, character, achievements, etc., will be appreciated.Attach a separate sheet if you would like more space than is provided

Name: Position:

Address:

Phone: E-Mail Address:

Signature:Date:

Please mail this recommendation to arrive no later than: JULY 1, 2014, directly to:

Minerva Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 2705,

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

*The Minerva Scholarship Fund is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) endowment fund established in 1991 by AAUW members to encourage contributions in support of scholarships for women returning to school.