Waldensian Presbyterian Church - Scholarship Policies

Scholarship Policies and Procedures

Governing Policies and Procedures


Objectives
	The Board of Trustees shall strive to accomplish those objectives established by the Chairman and the Trustees and approved by the Presbyterian Women: 1. Maintain and update the scholarship program policies and procedures. 2. Develop and maintain a strategy for advertising the program and soliciting applicants. 3. Implement a strategy that establishes a reliable and and perpetual funding source for the program. 4. Provide scholarship information and criteria in November - January so the requirements necessary to qualify for scholarship consideration are understood. 5. Review and/or revise the Scholarship Application Form with a deadline for applying. 6.Review and /or revise the criteria of the scholarship application forms as needed. 7. Devise and implement an awards service for recipients to receive scholarship funding with allocated amounts.
Voting
	Each member shall have the right to cast one vote on any decision made by the committee. A member may ballot her/his vote by proxy through conference call or electronic mail at the discretion of the chairman. A quorum is established with majority of the members present to cast their vote. A simple majority shall determine the will of the committee. Ex-officio members are not voting members.
Procedure
	Basic Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct and proceedings of the Board of Trustees.
Scholarship Selection Policies
	At the first meeting of the Scholarship Selection Committee, the scholarship application is reviewed and recommendations are made and assessed. The total amount of the monies available for scholarship awards through interest bearing funds and specific fund development campaigns is available for distribution and may be allocated as recommended by the committee. All information submitted to the Scholarship Selection Committee is considered privileged and confidential and is intended solely for use by the committee. Andy other use of this material is prohibited. The Scholarship Selection Committee receives and examines the contents of each application folder to be certain it is complete. Scholarships are awarded during a review process whereby impressions are recorded on a rating scale. The committee presents valid and complete folders to the Board of Trustees for scholarship allocation. A tentative list of possible winners and alternates with substantiating reasons for the selection shall be included. At the end of the process, the names of recipients and a sum total of scholarship funds will be published. In the case of a committee member having a conflict of interest concerning an applicant i.e. a relative, the committee member will voluntarily recuse her/himself from the selection process.
Fund Development
	An annual church-wide Scholarship Campaign will be conducted whereas all monies raised will be earmarked for that purpose. A primary fund raising event will be determined by the Fund Development Committee whereas all monies raised will be earmarked for that purpose. The Scholarship Board of Trustees may approve additional monies for scholarships from other sources. The Scholarship Board of Trustees may provide opportunities for individuals to establish endowed scholarships within the scholarship program with a $10,000 minimum.
Suggested Timeline
	Scholarship Trustee Board meetings shall be called by the Chairman as needed. December-January - Updated Scholarship criteria and the application will be provided in the church office and on the church website. February - Scholarship Selection Committee will meet to review guidelines and selection policies. Fund Development Committee will meet to begin the annual Scholarship Campaign and plan subsequent fundraising events. March - Scholarship applications are due by March 15. April - Scholarship recipients will be selected. Fundraising Event May - Mother's Day Awards Service June/July - Publish letters of appreciation from the scholarship recipients to the congregation in the church newsletter. August/September - Trustee Board meets to review and update Scholarship Policies and Selection Committee meets to review and update scholarship applications and website. October - Trustee Board shall submit a Scholarship Program report to the session. November - Letters and Scholarship Applications will be sent to WPC High School Seniors.
Criteria for Selection
	Applicant must be an active, resident member of Waldensian Presbyterian Church for the past 12 months or have been a member for that period of time prior to entering college. Applicant must be a full-time student for the year applying for scholarship. Applicant must submit evidence of high academic achievement maintaining a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5.
Scholarships
	Scholarships are awarded for only one academic school year and must be re-applied for by the student. Scholarships may be awarded only twice during a student's academic studies.
Criteria for Scholarship Renewal
	Scholarships may be awarded twice during a student's academic studies. Applications for scholarship renewal must be received by the March 15 deadline. The Essay and Letters of Recommendation are optional for renewal applications.
Scholarship Policies
	Waldensian Presbyterian Women Scholarships and Michael J. Morse Scholarships are awarded annually for undergraduate and/or graduate studies. Deferment Policies - Scholarships may be deferred by students who interrupt their education for church service, military service or medical reasons. A written notification must be submitted to the Scholarship Board of Trustees explaining the reason for deferment, when the student is leaving and when they expect to return. To reinstate the scholarship, the student must notify the Scholarship Board of Trustees two months prior to their return. Deferment is limited to 30 months. Deadlines- Scholarship applications must be submitted before March 15. Funds are Specific - All scholarships are specific for the purpose they are awarded. Disbursement is made directly to the college or university. Other conditions - Other situations not covered in these policies will be considered on an individual basis by the scholarship Selection Committee and the Scholarship Board of Trustees. Any questions should be referred to the Scholarship Board of Trustees. Revision January 20, 2004: Timeline/Selection Committee, Church Address Revision November 3, 2004: Timeline - Dec. - Updated scholarship criteria Timeline - Nov. - WPC High School Seniors Revision March 31, 2005: Added "Criteria for Scholarship Renewal"