PURPOSE:
The purpose of this guideline is to give consistency to the Scholarship Fund/Application policy and procedure.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS:
    A.  Scholarship applications will be mailed to each Association member with the January
         Newsletter.
    B.  Scholarship applications will be mailed to each school guidance counselor no later than
         January 15 of each year.
    C.  Scholarship applications will be available to applicants through the Associations web
          page.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP:
The Southwest Iowa Peace Officers Association Members Scholarship Fund is a closed group fund that makes two grants of up to $250.00 cash, available annually.  Grants are available to the child, stepchild, grandchild or step grandchild of a member in good standing, who has maintained membership for a minimum of three consecutive years of the Southwest Iowa Peace Officers Association.  The applicant must be a high school senior, applying for his or her first year at a Technical Institute, Community College or University.  The student must attend a structured program intending to obtain at least a two-year degree in the Criminal Justice field.  Additional applications will be considered by the Award Committee on a case-by-case basis.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Eligible candidates must submit their application by April 15 in the year of the student's eligibility.  If April 15 should fall on a weekend, the following Monday is the deadline date.
A letter to the grant Awards Committee must accompany this application.  The letter should explain the applicant's interest in law enforcement and their proposed plan of action following the completion of their education.

DISPERSAL OF FUNDS:
The grant check will be issued jointly to the student and the school he or she is attending.  Checks are mailed out following the successful completion of the student's first semester.
The Association President or his/her designee should make every effort to present the award during the recipient's high school awards ceremony.  If a personal appearance is not possible, a request for the award to be announced should be requested.  A press release should also be made in the recipients hometown newspaper.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD COMMITTEE:
    A.  The Executive Committee of the Association shall serve as the Scholarship Award Committee.

COMMITTEE MEETING:
    A.  The Committee will meet as soon after the 15th of April as possible to discuss the eligible applications
          and determine who the two recipients shall be.
    B.  A quorum will consist of three of the five Committee Members.
    C.  A simple majority vote of the quorum will be necessary to adopt action.
    D.  The Committee may conduct business by telephone or e-mail, if weather prohibits a personal meeting
          of the Committee.
    E.  The Committee will submit a report to the Association at large during the regular meeting date in May.