01/29/2015

2015 APA Cleveland Student Scholarship

Applications due March 20

The Cleveland Section of APA Ohio, a Chapter of the American Planning Association, established the Planning Scholarship Program in 1994. The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize up to two outstanding students from Northeast Ohio who are enrolled in approved Ohio college or university planning programs, who demonstrate academic achievement and commitment to the planning profession, and who intend to pursue a career as practicing planners. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Up to two students will be selected as the recipients of the scholarships. Each student must be either an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an Ohio planning degree program. Each scholarship is paid directly to the student to help offset expenses that are not usually covered by traditional scholarships.

A $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student.*

A $750 scholarship will be awarded to either a full-time or part-time student.*

*APA Cleveland may, at its sole discretion, award a lesser amount or award only scholarship should the application cycle generate few qualified applicants.

To be eligible for the $2,000 scholarship, a student:

1. Must be a citizen of the United States;
2. Must have completed at least one year of college level courses;
3. Must be enrolled as an undergraduate student or enrolled/officially accepted for enrollment as a graduate student in a planning program at an Ohio college or university that is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), or a planning program for which accreditation is pending;
4. Must be a full-time student;
5. Must be a resident of one of the following Ohio counties – Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, or Wayne; and a graduate of a high school located in one of the above counties. (A student enrolled as an undergraduate student or enrolled/officially accepted for enrollment as a graduate student in a planning program at a college or university in Cuyahoga County that is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, or a planning program for which accreditation is pending, is exempt from this requirement).

To be eligible for the $750 scholarship, a student:

1. Must be a citizen of the United States;
2. Must have completed at least one year of college level courses;
3. Must be enrolled as an undergraduate student or enrolled/officially accepted for enrollment as a graduate student in a planning program at an Ohio college or university;
4. May be a full-time or part-time student;
5. Must be a resident of one of the following Ohio counties – Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, or Wayne; and a graduate of a high school located in one of the above counties.

Preference will be given to an applicant who:

• Is a member of APA Cleveland;
• Intends to pursue a career in the planning profession;
• Shows a high degree of academic achievement;
• Demonstrates a record of service to the community;
• Indicates a financial need.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The APA Cleveland Planning Scholarship application package shall consist of the following documents.

1. The APA Cleveland Planning Scholarship Application, including a 2-3 page typed statement, written by the student, describing the student's career goals, commitment to the planning field both in terms of past experience and future plans, and why planning was chosen as a career. While this is an academic scholarship, the scholarship committee is aware of the financial commitment required to obtain a college education. Therefore, information explaining financial need may be included in the final paragraphs of this statement;
2. At least two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors or planning practitioners. Letters of recommendation are to be sent by mail directly by the writer to the scholarship committee and must be received by March 27, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
3. An official college or university transcript sent by the office of the registrar (transcripts are to be requested by the student with adequate time for receipt prior to the deadline) OR a copy of the letter of acceptance from the planning program (for an incoming student) by March 27, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
4. As necessary, documentation from the director of the planning program indicating that PAB-accreditation is pending by March 27, 2015.

Please note that the application form and personal statement are both due by 4:00 p.m. on March 20, 2015, while letters of recommendation and official transcripts or letter of acceptance may follow separately up to one week later, or by 4:00 p.m. on March 27, 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The members of the APA Cleveland Student Relations and Scholarship Committee will review the applications. After careful review and consensus, up to two winners will be chosen. Applications will be judged using the following criteria, listed in order of importance:

1. Personal statement;
2. Academic performance during the last two years and/or evidence of significant improvement in academic standing;
3. Letters of recommendation;
4. Community service;
5. Financial need; and
6. Neatness and completeness of application.

THE AWARD PROCESS

The scholarship committee will meet in April after a review of all applications.

The recipient of the $2,000 award is chosen from the applications submitted by full-time students. After the recipient of the $2,000 award is selected, the remaining applications submitted by full-time students and all applications submitted by part-time students are reviewed, and the recipient of the $750 award is chosen.

Final decisions are made at the discretion of the scholarship committee, and the selected students are notified in writing by the scholarship committee chairperson by May 1, 2015.

The award recipients are required to write letters of acceptance to the scholarship committee chairperson by June 30, 2015. When a recipient is notified of his/her award, specific information to ensure proper payment to the student is requested and requires prompt attention.

An alternate to each award may be chosen in the event the student selected for a scholarship is unable to return to school, or the student does not send a letter of acceptance to the scholarship committee chairperson by June 30 after being notified of his/her selection.

The recipient of the $2,000 award is expected to continue to participate as a full-time student in the planning degree program. Upon completion of the award requirements, the first one-half of the award will be paid to the student in September. The second half will be paid in January, contingent on a written report from the school stating that the student is still enrolled full-time in the planning degree program and maintaining a satisfactory level of work.

The recipient of the $750 award is expected to continue to participate as a student in the planning degree program. Upon completion of the award requirements, the first one-half of the award will be paid to the student in September. The second half will be paid in January, contingent on a written report from the school stating that the student is still enrolled in the planning degree program and maintaining a satisfactory level of work.

It is the responsibility of each recipient to notify the scholarship committee chairperson of any change in address.  

>>SUBMIT APPLICATION<<

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application form and personal statement must be submitted online by March 20 at 4:00 p.m. Mailed letters of recommendation and official transcripts may follow up to one week later, or by 4:00 p.m. on March 27, 2015. Faxed documents will not be accepted.

Mail letters of recommendation and official transcripts to: