Merit Scholarship Application 2016-2017 School Year
The Mission of TMI The Episcopal School of Texas The Mission of TMI The Episcopal School of Texas is to provide an excellent educational community, with values based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, challenging motivated students to develop their full potential in service and leadership. Financial Aid Policy Statement TMI recognizes that financing a child s independent school education is a major commitment for families. TMI offers financial aid to students with demonstrated need. Families are expected to contribute to their child s educational costs at the highest possible level based on their financial resources. Nondiscriminatory Statement TMI The Episcopal School of Texas admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. In the administration of its financial aid, TMI The Episcopal School of Texas adheres to the Principles of Good Practice of N.A.I.S member schools.
November 1, 2015 Dear TMI Student, I am pleased to announce the merit scholarship competition for the 2016-2017 school year begins on November 1. We appreciate the many talents of our students, both academically and in a multitude of extracurricular activities. Merit scholarships (which must be distinguished from financial aid unless financial need is part of the scholarship criteria) are awarded not only for academic achievement, but also for outstanding personal conduct, proven leadership ability, and extracurricular excellence. Each year, a limited number of merit scholarships are awarded to TMI students who have completed their applications by the deadline of January 15, 2016. Please note: late and or incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the scholarship committee. Merit scholarship applications are available online by visiting www.tmi-sa.org or the TMI Financial Aid Office, located in the library on the second floor of Ayres Hall, the registrar s office room 217 in Coates Hall, or the lobby in Ayres Hall. Completed recommendation forms may be dropped off at the attendance office in Coates Hall; however, essays and brief responses must be emailed to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. It is important to note that the opportunities for Middle School students are limited. This is not because we value Middle School students less; rather, it reflects the wishes of scholarship donors. The merit scholarship application process is intended to be a student-driven experience. Therefore, any parental or other outside involvement is discouraged. All essays and brief response answers must be written by the student. Violation of this policy may result in the applicant being disqualified from the merit scholarship selection process. Parents may assist with the Merit Scholarship Application Questionnaire and Student Resume only. I encourage each of you to take time and care in completing the essay and brief answers, as the Scholarship Committee, composed of members selected from the academic administrative staff, will consider these pieces as an indicator of the effort you put into the application itself. Please note: The Robert B. Taylor Scholarship committee selects the recipients. TMI submits all required documentation to the committee for their review and selection. Included in this packet are the following documents: Merit Scholarship Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions Merit Scholarship Application Questionnaire Guidelines for Completing Your Student Resume Merit Scholarship Essay and Brief Response Submission and Writing Guidelines Three recommendation forms. Ø English or History Recommendation Form Ø Math or Science Recommendation Form Ø Extracurricular Recommendation Form List of all Merit Scholarships and criteria If you have any questions about merit scholarships and/or the application process, please stop by my office or email me at a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. Sincerely, Mrs. Alex Hernandez, Director of Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships
Merit Scholarship Checklist What Who Return to Application Questionnaire Completed by the student The Office of Financial Aid located in Ayres Hall located in the library or via email to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org Guidelines for Student Resume Scholarship Essay and Brief Response Submission Guidelines Completed by the student To be read by the student The Office of Financial Aid located in Ayres Hall located in the library or via email to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org N/A 2016-2017 Merit Scholarships To be read by the student N/A English or History Student selects faculty Recommendation member to complete Math or Science Recommendation Extracurricular Recommendation recommendation. Student selects faculty member to complete recommendation. Student selects faculty, coach, or outside member of the TMI community to complete the recommendation. Faculty member returns recommendation to Director of Financial Aid. Faculty member returns recommendation to Director of Financial Aid. Recommendation returned to the Director of Financial Aid. Frequently Asked Questions When will I know if I was selected for a scholarship? How will I be notified? Can I receive more than one scholarship? Who determines the recipient of each scholarship? Are all of the merit scholarships selected by this committee? Can my parents help me with the merit scholarship application? Answers Announcements are typically made after Spring Break. Students who apply for a merit scholarship will be notified by mail. The letter will state whether or not you were selected. The letter is addressed to the student. No, only one per student is awarded. The following members of the academic administrative staff serve on the selection committee: Upper and Middle School Heads, the Commandant of the Military Program, the Chaplain, the Athletic Director, and the Director of Financial Aid. No, the Robert B. Taylor Scholarship committee selects the recipients. TMI submits all required documentation to the committee for their review and selection. The process is intended to be student-driven. Your parents may help you answer the questions on the Application Questionaire and Student Resume only.
2016-2017 Merit Scholarship Application Questionnaire Please submit this form to Mrs. Alex Hernandez in the Financial Aid Office in Ayres Hall located in the library by the deadline, January 15, 2016 or via email to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. Your application is considered incomplete if you do not submit the answers to the questionnaire. Name Current Grade To help us determine eligibility for merit scholarships, please answer the following questions: 1. Are you currently a Cadet? Yes No a. Will you be a cadet in 2016-2017? Yes No b. List your rank:. 2. Are you a member of the NH Society? Grades 10-12 Yes No 3. Are you a member of the NJH Society? Grades 7-8 Yes No 4. Do you have a parent or stepparent who is a member of the TMI faculty or staff? 5. Are you a close relative of a TMI alumnus? Yes No a. If yes, list their name(s) below: Name: Name: 6. Do you have a parent who is a member of the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas? Yes No 7. Are you a member of the residential life program? Yes No If yes, is your grade point average 80 or above: Yes No 8. Do you have a parent that is an active duty service member, veteran, or a wounded serviceman/woman of the US Armed Forces? Yes No a. Please list their current rank:. b. Are they currently on active duty? Yes No c. Are they retired? Yes No
Guidelines for Completing Your Student Resume Please submit this form to Mrs. Alex Hernandez in the Financial Aid Office in Ayres Hall located in the library by the deadline, January 15, 2016 or via email to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. Your application is considered incomplete if you do not submit your resume. For Upper School Students: 1. List any academic awards or achievements you have received during the past three years. 2. List any athletic, community, and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during the past three years. 3. List any positions of leadership you have held in the past three years. For Middle School Eighth Grade Only: 1. List your name with any academic awards and achievements you have received during the past three years. 2. List any athletic, community, and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during the past three years. 3. List any positions of leadership you have held in the past three years. For Middle School Sixth and Seventh Grades: 1. List your name with any academic awards and achievements you have received during the past two years. 2. List any athletic, community, and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during the past two years. 3. List any positions of leadership you have held in the past two years. Please follow this example when completing your resume: Name: Grade: TMI email address: Academic Awards or Achievements: Year Academic Award(s) or Achievements(s) Year Academic Award(s) or Achievements (s) Year Academic Award(s) or Achievements(s) Athletic/Community Service/Extracurricular Activities: Year Athletics Year Athletics Year Athletics Year Year Year Year Year Year Community Service Community Service Community Service Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities Positions of Leadership in school and outside the TMI community. Year: Year: Year:
2016-2017 Merit Scholarship Essay and Brief Response Submission and Writing Guidelines The deadline is January 15, 2016 by the end of the school day. Your merit scholarship essay and the brief response question must be submitted to Mrs. Alex Hernandez as a MS word document only. Sending your essay and brief response in a different format may delay or disqualify your application. Submit your essay and brief response via email as an attachment to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. Copies will not be accepted, you must email your work by the deadline. Clearly indicate your name and merit scholarship on the subject line of your email. Please type your name on the top upper right hand side on each page of your essay. Your work must be typed and doubled-spaced. You must follow TMI s Honor Code please indicate this on all your written work. TMI tries to encourage students to be both thinkers and leaders. Therefore, these qualities are sought in merit scholarship recipients. Scholarship applicants should reflect on and answer the following essay and brief response questions. Upper School Scholarship Applicants - Current students only in grades 8-11. Essay (Between 350-450 words): 2016 is a Presidential election year. With that in mind, please respond to the following prompt: What qualities/characteristics should the President of the United States possess? Brief Response Question (200 words or less). Select your favorite extra-curricular activity. What is it about this activity that you find so satisfying? Middle School Scholarship Applicants Current students only in grades 6-7. Essay (Between 250-300 words): How can I exemplify the meaning of servant leader here at TMI? Brief Response Question (200 words or less). How does being engaged in service activities benefit you personally? Use a specific example to support your answer.
2016-2017 Merit Scholarship Consideration English or History Recommendation Form Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016 Instructions for the student: Ask either your English or history teacher to complete the recommendation form. Students, please complete the following basic information: Student name: Student grade: Name of teacher: Name of course/indicate if Honors or AP: Instructions for the Teacher: Please rate the student in the following areas: Reading ability Critical thinking skills Writing ability Grammar/punctuation skills Class participation Caliber of work in class Caliber of homework Self-motivation Emotional maturity Leadership skills General mastery of course Conduct Below average Average Above average Superior Is the student frequently tardy to your class? Yes No Do you have any reason to question the integrity of this student? Yes No Your overall recommendation of this student: Do not recommend With reservation With confidence Highly recommend Additional comments After completing the recommendation, place it in a sealed envelope and submit to Alex Hernandez s mailbox located in Ayres Hall or e-mail a scanned copy to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org on or before the deadline. A student s application is considered incomplete unless all recommendations are submitted by the deadline stated above. Teacher s signature Date / /
2016-2017 Merit Scholarship Consideration Math or Science Recommendation Form Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016 Instructions for the Student: Ask either your math or science teacher to complete the recommendation form. Students, please complete the following basic information: Student name: Student grade: Name of teacher: Name of course/indicate if Honors or AP: Instructions for the Teacher: Please rate the student in the following areas: Reading ability Critical thinking skills Writing ability Grammar/punctuation skills Class participation Caliber of work in class Caliber of homework Self-motivation Emotional maturity Leadership skills General mastery of course Conduct Below average Average Above average Superior Is the student frequently tardy to your class? Yes No Do you have any reason to question the integrity of this student? Yes No Your overall recommendation of this student: Do not recommend With reservation With confidence Highly recommend Additional comments After completing the recommendation, place it in a sealed envelope and submit to Alex Hernandez s mailbox located in Ayres Hall or e-mail a scanned copy to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org on or before the deadline. A student s application is considered incomplete unless all recommendations are submitted by the deadline stated above. Teacher s signature Date / /
2016-2017 Merit Scholarship Consideration Extracurricular Recommendation Form Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016 Instructions for the student: Ø Ask your extracurricular sponsor to complete the recommendation form. Ø If your form is going outside the TMI community, consider giving your sponsor a stamped envelope addressed to: Mrs. Alex Hernandez, TMI The Episcopal School of Texas, 20955 West Tejas Trail, San Antonio TX 78257 Ø Students, please complete the following basic information: Student name: Student grade: Name of sponsor Name of activity: Instructions for the Sponsor: Ø The student listed above has requested that you submit a completed recommendation form to Mrs. Alex Hernandez. Ø Please mail recommendations to TMI The Episcopal School of Texas, 20955 West Tejas Trail, San Antonio TX 78257. The telephone number is (210) 564-6159, and the fax number is (210) 564.6159. Ø A scanned copy may be emailed to a.hernandez@tmi-sa.org. Ø All responses will remain confidential. How long have you known the applicant? What words would you use to describe him or her? What are the student s strengths in this activity? Do you think the applicant has the potential to improve in this activity? Does this student demonstrate initiative? YES NO Do you think this applicant has leadership qualities? YES NO Is the student on time? YES NO Do you have any reason to question the integrity of this student? YES NO Your overall recommendation of this student: Do not recommend With reservations With confidence Highly recommend Additional comments: A student s application is considered incomplete unless all recommendations are submitted by the deadline stated above. Sponsor signature Date / /
2016-2017 Merit Scholarships Merit Scholarship for New Students Entering the Ninth Grade Margaret M. and Albert Alkek Scholarship This scholarship is awarded to two rising ninth grade students with excellent academic records and one or more outstanding extracurricular achievements. This full tuition-four year scholarship is designed to attract some of the most promising scholars and leaders to the TMI community. The Alkek Scholarship and Admission committee selects the recipients. Merit Scholarships for Returning Students Merit Scholarship for Rising Ninth Grade Students within the TMI Community Robert B. Taylor Scholarship Trust - Awarded to a rising ninth-grade student, this four-year award is based on "scholarship and worthy character with preference given to students with financial need. Please note that in order to qualify for this scholarship, you must file for financial aid first. The Robert B. Taylor Scholarship committee selects the recipients. One four year award annual amount will vary depending on availability of funds. TMI Alumni Association Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to incoming or rising freshman. The recipient must be a close relative of a TMI alumnus (i.e. son, daughter, niece, nephew, or grandchild, etc.). Incoming (new to TMI) freshmen must have completed the application process and been accepted for admission to TMI. Applicants must be in good academic standing based on TMI Middle School records and must have completed the TMI scholarship application process. Financial need is not a required criterion, but may be taken into consideration if the applicant s family has completed the Application for Financial Aid as set forth by the Office of Financial Aid. Merit Scholarships for Middle and Upper School Students J. David Oppenheimer 67 Scholarship Endowment This scholarship is awarded to a student in grades 6-12 with high academic and leadership potential who is an involved and contributing member of the TMI community. Preference given to students with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. D. Ormsby Charitable Foundation Scholarship This endowment scholarship is awarded to two students in grades 6-12 who demonstrate high academic achievement and servant leadership both in and out of the classroom. Merit Scholarships for Students in the Residential Life Program Ewing-Halsell Foundation Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded annually to two students in grades 9-12 who are members of the residential life program. First preference is given to students from rural South Texas. This scholarship may be renewable. Preference given to student with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. Professor Bryan W. Brown, Jr. Scholarship This scholarship is awarded annually to an Upper School residential life student with a grade point average of 80 or above. Preference given to student with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. Merit Scholarships for Clergy Children Helen and Everett H. Jones Scholarship This endowed fund provides scholarships to students who demonstrate qualities that bring credit to the TMI community. Open to middle and upper school students. First consideration is given to children of the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. Award amounts may vary depending on the availability of funds. Preference given to students with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application.
Merit Scholarships for Students who are members of the Corps of Cadets William W. Davis Jr. 69 Memorial Scholarship These scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and who have contributed significantly to the TMI community. First consideration is given to members of the Corps of Cadets. Howell Family Scholarships This scholarship is awarded to a member of the Corps of Cadets who embodies outstanding academic achievement, loyalty to the school and dedication to the military program. Scott Andrew Nall TMI Memorial Scholarship This scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the Corps of Cadets who has shown dedication to the military program, outstanding achievement, loyalty to the school, pride in our country, and makes a significant contribution to the TMI community. First consideration is given to juniors. Alan G. Oppenheimer Memorial Scholarship Fund This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding member of the Corps of Cadets in the rising sophomore class who has demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership potential and who has contributed significantly to the TMI community. Preference given to students with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. Lt. Gen. William H. Schneider Memorial Fund These scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential and who are entering the 9 th grade as members of the school s outstanding Corps of Cadets program. Preference given to students with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. Merit Scholarship for Female Students in the Upper School Caroline Kampmann Memorial Scholarship These scholarships are awarded to two rising senior females who have shown outstanding scholastic achievement and who have contributed significantly to the TMI community. Charla Rudisill Scholarship This scholarship is awarded to a rising senior female who is a member of the Corps of Cadets, or plans to be a member of the Corps of Cadets, and who shows a demonstrated interest in athletics, the environment, or political science. Merit Scholarship for Children of a Wounded Warrior, Active-Duty Service Member The George M. and Bonnie L. Martin Endowed Scholarship This award is given to a TMI student who is a child of a wounded servicemen and women, active duty service member, or veteran of the US Armed Forces. Preference given to students with financial need. Student applicants from families with financial need are encouraged to have their parents complete a financial aid application. Other Scholarships Science Scholarship Ralph A. Nichols Memorial Scholarship These scholarships are awarded to junior or senior students who exhibit high academic standing and who possess inquiring minds toward science.