| 03 Feb 2008: The
following has been released for immediate distribution by the USS Little
Rock Association Scholarship Committee: SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR DESCENDANTS OF
MEMBERS
OF THE USS LITTLE ROCK ASSOCIATION ** 2008 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS **
THE ASSOCIATION: The USS LITTLE ROCK Association is a not-for-profit organization with an IRC 501 (C19) tax exempt status, incorporated in New York State. Its membership is comprised primarily of Navy and Marine Corps veterans of service in USS LITTLE ROCK (CL 92) from 1945 to1949, or the ship's modernized configuration USS LITTLE ROCK (CLG 4) from 1960 to 1976. THE PROGRAM: The USS LITTLE ROCK Association will provide financial assistance to deserving college/university students, pursuing bachelor’s degrees, who are the direct descendants (children/grandchildren/great grandchildren) of USS LITTLE ROCK veterans who are members of the Association in good standing, or were at the time of death in the case of those now deceased. Awards are based upon academic achievement and motivation, as measured following their third semester at an accredited four-year institution of higher learning and endorsed by a college/university official. Grants of $1000 will be made to selected recipients entering their third academic year. A follow-on grant of $1000 will be made to a previous award winner who has satisfactorily completed the third year and is advancing into the fourth year, subject to receipt by the Association of proof of continuing qualifying academic performance. The number of annual awards, if any, will be based on the Association’s evaluation of candidate merit, the number of applicants, and financial resources available to support the program. ELIGIBILITY: Full time students (at least 15 credit hours per semester), as noted above, who are the offspring of USS LITTLE ROCK Association veteran members, who are in good standing, are eligible if they have achieved a cumulative grade point average (CUM GPA) of at least 3.0 in all accredited course work through their third academic semester. They must also, in the best estimate of the endorsing official, possess the character and motivation to complete their bachelor’s degree work with continuing high academic achievement. APPLICATION: Interested, qualified candidates may apply during the winter/spring semester of their second academic year. The application shall be in letter format that addresses each of the eligibility criteria, clearly stating the name of the father/grandfather/great grandfather who is a veteran member of the Association. A text of approximately 500 words shall be included that describes why the candidate considers himself/herself worthy of the award. An academic transcript issued by the college/university must accompany the application. When assembled, the application shall be presented to the academic counselor or academic major department head for an endorsement in writing. Applications must be received by the USS LITTLE ROCK Association Secretary, Frank E. Berglas, 10 Bayberry Lane, South Salem, NY 10590-1414, not later than May 1, 2008. Each application received will undergo an initial screening to ensure eligibility requirements are met and to redact the name of the Association member from which the applicant is descended. It will then be passed to the Scholarship Committee, “blinded” to the applicant’s hereditary relationship, where selection of the winner/s will be made based strictly on merit. Selection results will be announced at the Association’s 2008 annual reunion to be held July 17-21 cruising on board the CARNIVAL VICTORY. AWARD: Award recipients will be notified by the USS LITTLE ROCK Association as soon as selection is final. The award/s will be made as early as possible in the recipient’s third academic year. Each award will be in the form of a $1000 check made out to the individual student and sent via the college/university endorsing official for presentation. Notification of award selection and check mailing will be made to the sponsoring Association member who is related to the winner. Sincerely,
Kent R. Siegel Chairman, Scholarship Committee |