The ARTBA-TDF is now accepting applications for the “Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program” for the 2010-2011 academic year. The program provides financial assistance to help the children of highway construction workers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty pursue post-high school education. Applications are due by March 19.
Amount of Scholarships
More than $100,000 in financial aid has been awarded to worthy students from around the country since inception of the Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship fund.
The scholarships, which are competitive, have a value of up to $3,000. However, an additional category was added, beginning with the fall 2010 academic year.
In 2009, English Construction Company, based in Roanoke, Va., made a generous $100,000 contribution to establish a “named” scholarship in honor of the men who initially created the program — Jack and Stan Lanford.
The “Lanford Family Scholarship,” which has a value up to $5,000, will be given to those students who have: demonstrated outstanding academic achievement by maintaining a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher, provide proof of regular involvement in activities outside the classroom at the institution of higher learning, or submit documentation verifying significant amount of time spent each week working at a job to support tuition and living costs.
The scholarship award year is defined as Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Scholarship Award Disbursement
Scholarship award money will be deposited by the ARTBA-TDF with the university, college or institution of higher learning to which the student is admitted, accepted and will attend.
The award money is credited to an account that is established in the individual’s name at the school. It can be drawn by the recipient for: (a) fees or charges required for tuition; (b) expenses for text books, course work, lab fees and other materials as required by a course instructor (e.g., goggles, art/drawing supplies, glass slides, etc.) for required course assignments or projects; and (c) fees or charges for room and board while attending school.
Scholarship awards are not transferable to another individual or institution and are forfeited by the recipient upon withdrawal from the institution where the scholarship award was disbursed by the ARTBA-TDF, or upon failure to meet the institution’s appropriate standards of academic achievement, conduct, or character.
If the recipient is diagnosed post-award by a board-certified medical physician as having a chronic or acute illness or traumatic injury that makes it impossible for the recipient to enter or continue his or her academic studies, the scholarship award money will be held for the recipient’s academic use by the ARTBA-TDF for up to 12 months. A letter from the physician to the ARTBA-TDF must be received within 60 days of diagnosis.
In the event a scholarship recipient’s educational endeavors are interrupted during the scholarship award year because he or she is called to active duty under Title 10 of the United States Code or National Guard Duty in State Status, the scholarship award money will be held for the recipient by the ARTBA-TDF for up to 24 months, unless the time for active duty is extended by the military authority.
Any scholarship award recipient leaving the U.S. Armed Services or National Guard duty must reapply for reinstatement of the scholarship moneys or the remaining portion of scholarship moneys within 90 days after severance from duty.
Application and Supporting Materials
All scholarship candidates must submit the following for consideration:
• A completed and signed ARTBA-TDF Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship application form.
• Proof of parent’s death in line of duty. (This may be a newspaper clipping with a date the article appeared, a letter from the deceased parent’s former employer, etc.)
• If parent is permanently incapacitated, submit appropriate documentation, including, but not limited to a physician certification form (included in application packet). Must show that disability was work related, along with a statement of injury.
• Proof of guardianship if not living with surviving parent.
• An official copy of the applicant’s transcript and grade report from the school currently attended or most recently attended. The transcript should list all grade points earned and academic course work completed to date.
• A brief, typewritten statement prepared by the applicant that explains his/her reasons for wanting to continue his/her education accompanied by a recent photo of the student, and a photo of his/her parents. The statement must be updated if applying for second or third year scholarship. By applying for the ARTBA-TDF Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship and providing copies of the statement and photograph, the applicant thereby grants permission for ARTBA-TDF to use the statement and photographs for scholarship-related publicity and promotional purposes.
• A completed and signed “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) forms for the current year.
• Applicant must provide a copy of his/her most current year’s federal tax return and a copy of parent’s most current year federal tax return.
• A copy of the acceptance letter from the college, university, technical school, etc. where the applicant plans to attend.
• A statement providing the approximate cost of annual tuition to attend school where scholarship will be applied.
• At least two letters of recommendation from teachers in support of the candidate’s application. Additional letters from a school administrator, counselor, clergy, work or military supervisor, who can address the qualifications and academic aptitude of the applicant, may also be submitted in support of the candidate, although they are not necessary for consideration. Do not send letters of recommendation from immediate family members, close family friends, blood relatives, or relatives by marriage.
All applicants are required to satisfy all of the process requirements noted above.
Application Due Date
Applications must be postmarked by March 19, 2010. Incomplete applications and applications postmarked after March 19, 2010, may be returned to the applicant. All applications and supporting materials will become the property of the ARTBA-TDF.
Scholarship awards will be made on or before May 14 of each year. The chairman of the ARTBA-TDF Board of Trustees will make the official announcement of the scholarship winners. All applicants will be notified of the results of the selection Committee in writing.
For more information, call 202/289-4434 or visit www.artbatdf.org.
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