The Optimist Club Foundation of Sanibel Captiva, Inc. Scholarship Guidelines 1. Application must be filled out completely and submitted to the Club Scholarship Committee at: Optimist Club of Sanibel Captiva Attn: Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 1370 Sanibel, FL 33957 (Include pages 3-5 of this package plus copies of your high school grades history and provide the scores for your SAT/ACT. We encourage letters of recommendation.) 2. The initial scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior attending a Lee County High School who has maintained at least a C average and will be attending college on full-time basis. Scholarship may be awarded for any semester requested by applicant within a school year but only one scholarship per academic year. A maximum of four scholarships will be awarded to any one individual. 3. The scholarship will be awarded to the University or College in the name of the recipient to be utilized for tuition and/or necessary supplies. In no instance will the scholarship be awarded directly to the recipient. 4. Once awarded the scholarship, the recipients must complete the semester(s) in which they are utilizing the scholarship; if they do not complete the semester, the funds must be returned to the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club Foundation, Inc. 5. Recipient must have maintained a C average or better for the previously completed school semester in order to qualify for continued scholarship approval. A transcript showing at least a C average must be provided to the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club by August 1 st. When the transcript is received, the recipient will automatically be awarded a scholarship, if requested. Should the average drop below a C, recipient will not be eligible for a scholarship award that year. Upon improving their average back to C or above, the student may reapply. Also if a full academic year passes without a scholarship request, the recipient must reapply for a scholarship. PAGE 1
6. Applicants and their parents/guardians must sign the attached application, page 3, to indicate that they have a full understanding of the scholarship guidelines before the scholarship will be awarded. 7. The selection committee will choose the recipients of the scholarship. The selection committee ideally, but not mandatory, may include a member from the Lee County School District and will solicit input from the applicant s high school. PAGE 2
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM The Sanibel Captive Optimist Club seeks qualified candidates to apply for our Optimist Scholarships when they are available. Please complete the application form and return it with a copy of your school grade transcript, plus a list of scholarships awarded to you, to the address listed on the guidelines. You also should fill out the Scholarship Questionnaire and return it with the application. You also may include any additional information, letters of recommendation, etc., that may help support your application. You may be contacted regarding your application, and a time will be arranged for a personal interview conducted by the Optimist Scholarship Selection Committee. Name Phone Street Address 7 semester GPA City State Zip High School Graduation Date Selected College Intended Start Date Parent/Guardian Name Phone Street Address City State Zip School Guidance Counselor Name Phone Applicant s signature acknowledging acceptance of Scholarship Guidelines Date Parent s/guardian s signature acknowledging acceptance of Scholarship Guidelines Date PAGE 3
Scholarship Questionnaire The answers to the following questions are designed to help the committee members gain a better picture of you, your school experiences, and the reasons you are applying for this scholarship. Please be open and candid in your responses and try to address the specific points in each question. Please use additional paper as necessary. Name Phone High School Date 1. What is your intended area of study, and what are your future goals? 2. What college have you selected to attend? How does this college fit your goals? 3. How do you plan to finance your college education? 4. Did you hold a job at any time during the last two years of high school, and if so, how many hours per week did you work during this period? Did the work relate to or did it affect your educational goals? PAGE 4
5. What extracurricular activities (i.e., clubs, organizations, band, church, volunteering, etc.) were you involved in during your last two years of high school? 6. What is your association with Sanibel Captiva, including school, work, volunteer, and or parents work. 7. Write an essay (100 to 200 words) on one of the following topics: Use a separate sheet of paper. a. How has the current economy affected your college choice and goals? b. A local environmental issue. c. The community I live in. d. Our Academic system (national and/or local) e. A person special to you, and why that person is special. f. How do drugs impact our society? PAGE 5