Start a Local Scholarship Program
Example Scholarship Timetable
(Northern Hemisphere)
June – Order materials for school packets.
August – Send letters to school counselors inviting them to participate in the SPE scholarship program; describe all aspects of the program.
September – Make appointments with school counselors to deliver information packets.
December – Collect completed scholarship applications by the first week.
March – Select scholarship winners by the end of the month.
April – Notify winners by mail.
May – Invite winners and families to a section meeting for recognition and to introduce them to SPE.
August – Request proof of enrollment; send checks.
Evaluate your Scholarship Program Annually
- Review important student scholarship guidelines in SPE’s Section Operations Manual.
- Draft the objectives and operations plan for approval by the section’s board of directors.
- Make long-term scholarship program objectives consistent from year to year. Canvass local guidance counselors, engineering department chairpersons and your own membership for suggestions on the best approach for your scholarship program.
- Write short-term objectives in concise terms that spell out what is to be accomplished, when it is to be done and how it will happen. Do not overlook the importance of estimating costs for each activity (e.g., printing and mailing application forms, contacting counselors and teachers, and various other committee expenses).
- The current committee may be responsible not only for the conduct of the current year’s program, but also for committing funds for the ensuing year’s program. Once organized, present these objectives, together with a budget, to your section board for approval.
Administer the Scholarship
- Develop a thorough application form.
- Make a plan to advertise the scholarship.
- Prepare a review process for the applications.
Advertise
- Post your section scholarship information in our scholarship database.
- Advertise your scholarship and provide application forms to every high school, junior college, college and university within your section’s boundaries. The best approach is to hand-deliver the information to guidance counselors so that questions can be answered on the spot. Be sure to send them to Energy4me.org for more information on industry careers.
- Community organizations, civic clubs, church groups, libraries and public institutions can also inform parents and students about scholarships. Student and local newspapers sometimes will print information about available scholarships.
Evaluate Applicants
- Evaluate candidates based on your objectives.
- Have your selection committee interview the students. Check with the school counselor before setting up interviews; many will want interviews to be conducted at the school.
- Be fair, not only to the candidates, but also to the objectives you have set for the overall program. Evaluate each candidate on the basis of his or her potential to meet those objectives.
Present the Scholarship
- Make a formal presentation of the scholarship at a section meeting so members see the results of their goodwill and hard work. This will also allow the recipient to meet the people behind SPE.
- Send a notice of your selection and a photo of the recipient to newspapers where the section is located, where the recipient lives and where the college is located.
Fund the Scholarship
Check with the college or university where the student is enrolling to determine the best way to fund the scholarship. The university can also verify for the section that the scholarship recipient enrolled at the university and return the money if the student fails to appear for registration. Some sections make payment directly to the student once proof of enrollment is provided.
Stay Connected
Mentor your scholarship recipients throughout their education to keep the student actively involved (and ensure that your investment is worthwhile!). SPE professionals can provide guidance on academic direction and career paths.
