[Nfbv-announce] Fwd: Proposed Changes to the NFB of Virginia Scholarship program for consideration by chapters before the May 6 Board meeting

[Chris Walker]

Please find below a proposal from the NFB of Virginia James Nelson
Scholarship Committee to change our scholarship program to encourage a
greater number of students to participate by attending and engaging in
state convention. We are hoping board delegates will discuss this proposal
within chapters and can be ready to vote on this proposal by the May 6 NFB
of Virginia Board meeting.

.

>From Brian Miller, NFB of Virginia Scholarship chair



National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

James F. Nelson Scholarship Program

Proposal for the academic year 2017-2018



The NFB of Virginia scholarship committee:

Brian Miller, Ph.D., chair

Tasha Hubbard

Patrick Johnson, Ph.D.

Derek Manners, esq.

Jennifer Shields



The scholarship committee was charged by the Virginia affiliate board to
explore innovative approaches to the scholarship program for the coming
academic year, with particular attention to increasing the number of
applicants, to build local chapters, and strengthen the student division as
well as the affiliate as a whole. With that charge in mind, the committee
proposes to the affiliate board that Virginia adopt a modified version of
the program successfully implemented in Massachusetts in 2014. The proposed
program would include the following elements:



*The NFB of Virginia will offer up to three merit-based scholarships in the
amount of $1,500 chosen from a pool of qualified applicants. A qualified
applicant means: An individual who is a resident of Virginia, and/or will
be a full time student in Virginia in the academic year 2017-2018; is
certified legally blind; and attends and participates fully in the 2017 NFB
of Virginia state convention.


*Applications will be accepted beginning in May, pending board approval,
with a deadline of early October. The scholarship committee hopes to have a
list of individuals who have applied for national scholarships to ensure
they are aware of the opportunity to apply for the Virginia state
scholarship as well.


*In order to win a scholarship, qualified applicants must attend the state
convention in the fall. The state affiliate will cover most of the basic
expenses for attending state convention. This would include room, some
meals (including banquet), and registration. Up to three applicants would
share a room to minimize expense. Applicants who travel with their spouse
to convention may have their own room, but the affiliate will only pay for
half the cost of the room. Similarly, if an applicant brings a child  to
convention, they may share the room with a spouse or care-giver, but only
half the cost of the room will be covered. The affiliate will not cover the
cost of day care, although applicants will be informed that very affordable
day care is available at convention.


*The scholarship committee, working closely with the student division and
affiliate board and chapter leaders, will make every effort to connect
applicants to their nearest local chapter to seek assistance with
transportation to the state convention.


*An application will not be considered complete until the applicant has
pre-registered for the state convention and purchased a banquet ticket.
These expenses will be reimbursed at convention, and will serve as a mark
of good faith that the applicant will attend.


*Applicants would be expected to participate in scheduled convention
activities, which may include a student breakfast; an applicant mixer with
the committee and affiliate board members; the student division lunch; and
any other activities the committee or affiliate board deems appropriate.


*Final selection of scholarship winners from the qualified applicants would
be determined by the scholarship committee prior to the banquet at the
state convention in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. Scholarship winners would be
announced by the scholarship committee chair during the banquet. Checks
would be mailed to winners shortly following the conclusion of the
convention. All decisions of the scholarship committee are final.


*To preclude potential abuse of the affiliate’s support of convention
attendance, individuals may apply no more than three times in the course of
their current academic program. Individuals who have already won two
scholarships from the affiliate may not apply. Exceptions to these rules
may be granted in rare instances by petition to the affiliate president or
a designated board member who may then recommend an exception be considered
by the scholarship chair in consultation with the scholarship committee.



Estimated cost:



*$4,500 if three scholarships are awarded.

*Approximately $250 per applicant who attends the convention.

*$200 total for the applicant breakfast.

*Assuming a minimum of ten applicants, with three scholarships awarded, the
approximate total cost would be $7,200. This cost would rise with the
number of applicants.