My name is Carl Chapman. I am offering two $2500 scholarships this year for use at any of Arizona’s public colleges and universities. Applying is simple and will help the applicant reflect on how important their Arizona home town is to them. Consequently, the name of the scholarship is “Arizona Is My Home.”
I grew up in Parker Arizona, a small town along the Colorado River. Still, some 30 years later, I continue to consider Parker home. I believe that I owe a large part of my success to the lessons I learned while growing up in my home town.
My ability to go to college was the result of a small, but generous scholarship from the local Elk’s Lodge. Their generosity allowed me to meet my tuition costs for my first year at Arizona Western College. Now I would like, in that same spirit and fashion, to help two students realize their college ambitions.
The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship is based on two core beliefs. First, that public education is the key to Arizona’s future success. Second, that there is a vital need for the promotion and preservation of Arizonan traditions, history and rural lifestyle.
The “Arizona Is My Home” scholarship writing prompt provides students an opportunity to reflect on what is special and unique about their Arizona hometown. It also encourages those not currently living in Arizona, or who have come to Arizona from elsewhere, an opportunity to reflect on the positive aspects of our great state.
I strongly believe in the accessibility of higher education to all and this is why this scholarship is open to anyone, regardless of where they are in their educational journey and is designed to help students already enrolled and actively engaged in their academic program. Scholarship monies become available to successful applicants who are full-time matriculated students who have completed 12 credit hours at the Arizona state college or university from which they seek to graduate. Applicants may apply for, and be awarded, a scholarship prior to completion of these conditions and high school students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
Arizona Is My Home Scholarship Awards
The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship offers a total of $2,500 that can be used to pay for tuition, books, and required materials. There will be two “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship awards for use during the 2006 – 2007 academic calendar.
Students who are chosen to receive “Arizona Is My Home” awards will be notified by phone and by mail. Funds will be deposited with their college for use during the next semester or when the student has met the final requirements for distribution.
The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship Rules and Requirements
September 15, 2006 All essays and applications must be received
November 3, 2006 Eligible scholarship winners will be notified
The Arizona Scholarship Writing Prompt
Applicants may chose from two options in writing their essay, depending on their residency
The first option is for individuals who already live in an Arizona town or city. The focus of the prompt is to develop an essay with their Arizona hometown being the central theme. Students are encouraged to create a piece that promotes their Arizona hometown and encourages others to consider making it their home also.
The second option is for those students who do not live in the state. These students must select an Arizona hometown they would like to call home. The essay must describe why that town would be a great place to call home.
Regardless of the option selected, all essays have the same title “Arizona Is My Home.” Essays will promote and help others understand why their town will always be home.
All students responding to this year’s Arizona Is My Home Scholarship Writing prompt must complete an essay with no more than 1,200 words.
Helpful Writing Tips:
In completing the “Arizona Is My Home” Writing prompt, students may use a variety of sources. Resources may include: historical and referenced material, interviews, eyewitness accounts, oral testimonials, official documents, biographies, video, auto tapes, films, CD-ROM, and Internet sites such as the information found on the www.arizonan.com.
How To Apply:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am a resident of the United States, but not an Arizona resident. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, if you have been accepted to or are currently attending an Arizona State college or university as one of the goals of the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship program is to encourage students to attend Arizona public schools of higher education.
Q: I am a high school senior who will graduate early this year. May I apply for the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship?
A: Yes. As long as you will be graduating anytime in the 2006 school year you are eligible to participate in this year’s scholarship program. Scholarship monies become available to successful applicants who are full-time matriculated students who have completed 12 credit hours at the Arizona state college or university from which they seek to graduate. Applicants may apply for, and be awarded, a scholarship prior to completion of these conditions and high school students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
Award winning scholars who fail to meet any of the conditions of the scholarship program shall forfeit the benefits of the scholarship.
Q: I am already attending an Arizona college/university. May I apply for the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship?
A. Yes, as long as you are a student in good academic standing and are attending or are accepted at an Arizona college or university for the 2006 – 2007 school year.
Q: I will be attending a private university in Arizona. May I apply for the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship?
A: No, “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship is designed explicitly to assist scholars attending Arizona state colleges or universities, not private or corporate owned schools.
Q: What exactly do I write about in my essay?
A: Applicants have two essay options, depending on their residency status. Successful scholarship applicants who are Arizona residents will have submitted an essay entitled “Arizona Is My Home” focusing on the applicant’s hometown. The essay should provide a detailed discussion that promotes their hometown and helps others to understand its unique charm and significance. Successful scholarship applicants who are not Arizona residents will have submitted an essay entitled “Arizona Is My Home” the focus of which will be on any Arizona town or city in which the applicant would like someday to reside and providing a discussion detailing their reasons for wishing to live there.
Each submission shall be considered on its own merit without reference to any other materials or other documents
Q: How does the word count work?
A: Count all the words in the essay body itself. Titles must be brief and cannot constitute discussion or elaboration. The maximum acceptable length of any single essay is 1,200 words. Essays exceeding the maximum allowable length will not be considered.