Tillman Military Scholars Program University of Washington Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards

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1 Tillman Military Scholars Program University of Washington Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards

2 Pat s family and friends created the Pat Tillman Foundation in 2004, following his death while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Inspired by his distinguished life and legacy, the Pat Tillman Foundation is building a community of scholars dedicated to improving their own lives, the lives of their families and their country by creating a spirit of service. Mission: to invest in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships; building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others 290 Tillman Military Scholars awards since 2008, over $4.1 million 2014 competition: over $1 million to 75 new members

3 Scholarships can cover: Tuition & fees, housing, childcare, other expenses not covered by other benefits Exact award amount based on individual financial need and the strength of application in comparison to the overall pool Average award: $10,000 per Scholar, per year of the identified degree program Additional Scholar benefits: Tillman Community & network Pat Tillman Leadership Summit & Regional Gatherings Pat s Run (primary fundraising event) or shadow events Connections/networking with partner organizations, veteran affinity groups, etc. Participation in relevant research studies in the veteran space & more

4 Jaclyn VanHoy UW Master of Social Work Eligibility Requirements Veteran and active duty military servicemembers Honorably discharged of both pre- and post-9/11 service From all branches of the U.S. Military, including service in the National Guard and Reserve Current spouses of active or veteran servicemembers Including surviving spouses Seeking assistance to pursue an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree as a full-time student at a public or private, 4-year U.S.-based accredited institution

5 Major Stephen Buchanan UW School of Law Selection Criteria Educational and career ambitions Record of military service or community impact as a spouse; motivation for serving Record of personal achievement Demonstration of service to others in the community Desire to continue to serve others and make a positive impact on your community Leadership potential Compelling, thoughtful, genuine and thorough essay question responses Pat knew who he was and his place in the world. Marie Tillman, 2013 TMS Leadership Summit, Chicago In a nutshell: looking for a compelling narrative about motivation for serving in the military, impact of service on life/career, explanation of how degree will apply to/accelerate career and applicant s desire to continue service and make a positive impact. Connect the dots!

6 Essay Questions Servicemembers 1. Discuss your motivation and decision to serve in the U.S. military. Explain how this decision and experience changed your life and your ambitions. What is the most important lesson you learned during your training and/or service? 2. Share your educational and career goals. How will you incorporate your military service experience into these goals? How do you intend to continue service to others and the community? How will you make an impact through your career and continued service? 400 words per question. Clear, concise, specific responses. Use UW s scholarship advisers for feedback on drafts & plan to revise! Spouses 1. Share your previous service to others and the community. Explain how your spouse s service in the U.S. military has influenced your actions or inspired you. What have you learned through your own service and sacrifice? 2. Share your educational and career goals. How will you incorporate your service experiences and the impact of your spouse s military service into your educational and career goals? How do you intend to continue service to others and the community? How will you make an impact through your career and continued service?

7 Chief Petty Officer Ryan Myers UW School of Medicine Online Application Components Basic contact information, military service history, educational history and enrollment plans and expected academic/living expenses and income for the upcoming academic year Copy & paste completed essays seek feedback & revise! Upload documentation of military service (only DD214 or a personal service record, i.e. Officer Record Brief, Enlistment Record Brief, Basic Individual Record, Personal Data Record, Performance Summary Record will be accepted) Upload résumé (including education, work, public service history, recognitions and awards earned) seek feedback & revise! Letters of recommendation not required; however, you will be asked for names and contact information for one military & one character reference

8 Specialist Ashley Paintner UW School of Law Additional Application Requirements All applicants must complete the FAFSA Applicants who move on in the process will be notified and asked to provide: Financial aid award letter from institution Student Aid Report (SAR), summary from the FAFSA website Photo highlighting your or your spouse s military service

9 Specialist Ashley Paintner UW School of Law Ashley s Advice Learn about Pat Tillman. His motivations, commitment to service, leadership, and other qualities exemplify what the selection committees are looking for. Read the bios of past scholars to gain an even better understanding of the qualities selection committees value. Write compelling essays that tell your story concisely. Don t repeat your resume in the essays. If selected as a Scholar, keep track of your service efforts & Tillman community involvement (including virtual) for easy reporting (twice/year).

10 2013 UW Tillman Scholars DJ Smith, Erik Larsen, Dustin Golding Selection Process Apply by Friday, March 6 at 11:59:59 PM EASTERN Standard Time. 2 Applicant Pools: University Partner vs. At-Large Approx. 5% selection rate for UPs vs. 3% selection rate for At-Large 2013 = 1384 at-large apps. (35 selected); 550 UP apps. (130 forwarded, 25 selected) 2013 UW = approx. 50 apps., 8 forwarded, 3 selected UW selection committee identifies up to 12 top candidates as quarterfinalists to compete in smaller UP pool (March) Foundation selection committee selects finalists to interview (late-april) Foundation & UW confirm final selections (late-april) Selected scholars called week of May 12, 2014

11 National Selection Committee Some of the selectors are: Marie Tillman Alex Garwood Dakota Meyer Russell Baer Jon Krakauer Previous Scholars What the selectors don t see: Name School Rank What they do check: Claims made in application thoroughly vetted & checked against DOD records

12 Annual scholarship renewal in June based on: Meeting expected graduation date Proof of full-time status & Minimum 3.0 GPA earned Tillman Community engagement (virtually & in-person) as a thought leader Documented participation in service Accountability for use of scholarship funds & completion of Foundation surveys

13 Q. Is financial need a consideration? A. Financial info plays no role in selection, only award amount decision if selected. Q. Does rank or type of service matter? A. No, it s all up to the applicant to make compelling connections. Q. What if I cannot obtain one of the listed military service documents? A. Other forms that verify military service may be accepted. If you have any questions, please scholarships@pattillmanfoundation.org.

14 Q. I used my Tillman Military Scholarship to fund a previous degree. May I apply again for another degree? A. No, scholarship funding can only be used toward a single degree per award winner. Q. What types of expenses can I use my scholarship funds for should I be awarded? A. Scholarship funds may be used to cover your academic or living expenses, including research project expenses or other academicrelated project expenses that GI Bill benefits would not. Scholarships cannot be used for the following: investments, personal vacation travel, business expenses or personal entertainment. Q. Can I decline the award if selected? A. Yes, this does happen from time to time. You can reapply in future years without penalty.

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16 UW Tillman Scholarship Advisers: UW-Seattle & Tacoma Undergraduate applicants: Robin Chang, Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards 171 Mary Gates Hall, UW-Seattle & Tacoma Graduate applicants: Marilyn Gray Graduate School Office of Fellowships & Awards G-1 Communications, UW-Bothell applicants: Natalia Dyba, Global Initiatives & Merit Scholarships UW1-186, UW Tillman Veterans Center Contacts: UW-Seattle Tim Wold, Director, Veterans Center 520 Schmitz Hall, UW-Bothell Rosa Lundborg, Manager, Veterans Services & Disability Resources for Students UW1-170, UW-Tacoma Andrea Coker-Anderson Registrar & Office of Veteran & Military Services MAT 253E/MAT 206, or