Instructions for applicants:
Please read the eligibility requirements carefully prior to submitting an application, in order to ensure you qualify as a candidate.
All 2020 scholarship applications must include the following components:
- Proof of enrollment from an academic institution
- A three-part essay (see instructions below)
- A reference letter
- Most recent academic transcript
- A point form list of volunteer/civic engagement activities
Instructions for proof of enrollment:
Your proof of enrollment from an academic institution must contain:
- Institution name
- Student name
- Program name and length of program
- Program start date
We are aware of the many academic challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, applicants may provide a conditional letter of acceptance as an interim proof of enrollment in their chosen academic institution. If selected as a recipient of a Support Our Troops National Scholarship, applicants will be required to provide proof of enrollment prior to receiving the scholarship funds.
Deferred Acceptance:
Some applicants may wish to defer their studies and/or acceptance into a particular academic program in light of the current academic challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful scholarship recipients will only be allowed to defer their studies within the same school year in order for their scholarship to be valid (i.e. A 2020 scholarship recipient can only defer his/her start date to January 2021 at the latest). If scholarship recipients defer their studies past this date, they will forfeit their scholarship.
I
nstructions for three-part essay:
Please provide an essay that provides answers to each of the following three questions. Each question response should not exceed 150 words, for a total word count of no more than 450 words. All responses must be typed.
Question 1: Describe how your connection to military life has helped to shape and prepare you for the future.
Question 2: Discuss your academic and career goals and explain how you plan to achieve them.
Question 3: Please indicate, and then discuss, any challenges you have encountered or may experience while pursuing your educational goals:
___ Special Needs
___ An ill or injured family member
___ Financial hardship
___ Other Please specify ______________________
Scoring Rubric:
| Essay: |
Excellent | Proficient | Adequate | Limited | Poor |
| Question 1: Connection |
Applicant describes connection to military and how it has helped to shape and prepare them for future |
| Question 2: Goals |
Applicant discusses academic and career goals and how they plan to achieve them |
| Question 3: Challenges |
Applicant indicates and discusses any challenges they have encountered or may experience while pursuing their educational goals |
| Essay structure: |
Excellent | Proficient | Adequate | Limited | Poor |
| Writing style, sentence structure and word choice |
Applicant’s use of sentence structure, control of word choice and writing style |
| Grammar, spelling and punctuation |
Applicant’s use of grammar, spelling and punctuation |
|
Best Practices:
- Read each of the three questions and be sure you understand them before you start writing.
- Think about what you are going to write and organize your thoughts before you start writing.
- Use clear, concise and simple language throughout the essay. Write how you speak.
- Check your spelling and grammar. Spell check is not going to let you know that you spelled ‘form’ instead of ‘from’!
- Read the three question again and then read your essay thoroughly to be certain that you have addressed every point.
- Have someone proofread your writing before you submit it.
Accuracy counts! If your information is entered incorrectly during the application process, we may not be able to contact you.
Instructions for reference letter:
Your reference letter should be written by someone who knows you well and can accurately tell us more about you and why you deserve this scholarship. They can speak to:
- your character
- your volunteer service
- your academic commitment
If your referee agrees to write you a reference letter, please ask them to write a maximum one-page letter of reference addressed to the Support Our Troops 2020 Scholarship Application Committee and to include their name and current contact information.
* Please note that for the purpose of this scholarship application, your selected referee should not be a family member.
Instructions for recent academic transcript:
An official or unofficial transcript is acceptable. If taken from an online student portal, your transcript must include your name, date, program and institution name.
Due to the current academic challenges related to the COVID 19 pandemic, we are demonstrating flexibility with regards to academic transcripts. Any academic transcript from the 2019/20 school year will be considered for evaluation. Applicants are encouraged to submit their
most recent academic document for evaluation.
If your transcript is not available at the time of submission, please upload a word document stating that you will send it via email as soon as it is available. Follow-up transcripts should be sent to
scholarshipsandcamps@cfmws.com (Subject line: Applicant’s Name – Transcript) and it will be filed accordingly.
Instructions for civic engagement/volunteerism:
Provide a list (in point form) of your civic engagement and volunteer work (paid/unpaid community activities you have participated in) with a short description of each.
Consider including activities such as:
- Helped with or worked at an event or events
- Worked/volunteered as a lifeguard
- Worked as a camp counselor
- Volunteered or worked at a community organization in any capacity
Tell us about your experiences, even if you are not sure they count. We are looking for well-rounded applicants.