Memorial Scholarship Fund
Memorial Scholarship Fund |
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Each year the Guild awards scholarships to assist people who cannot afford TFG events. This fund, which hundreds of members add to by checking the $10 box on their forms when they renew or join up for the first time, has grown significantly over the years. The Fund was originally established upon the untimely death of Mark Brandt, one of our best instructors and a compound joinery whiz. Members of the Board of Directors decided to augment members' donations by allocating money from the general fund when we had a comfortable surplus, thus achieving our original goal of $40,000 in a short time. The amount awarded each year was based on the interest generated by the stock/bond vehicles the Fund resides in. Most recently, generous donations in the memories of long-time members Mark Witter and Dave Gaker have swelled the Fund to more than $60,000. We have changed the name to the Memorial Scholarship Fund, and will remember those in whose memories it was established with each scholarship. We will now award a minimum of $3,000 annually, regardless of the vagaries of the stock market. Shortfalls will be covered from the general Guild coffers. In general, we have had just enough money to award scholarships to all who have met the scholarship requirement qualifications and who have been able to contribute something in return. To read more about how the Fund works and the fine folks who are remembered in this generous manner, please click here. Scholarship amounts vary, but in general are limited to a maximum of $300 or half the registration fee for the event, whichever is less. Scholarship fees may not be applied to room and board costs. In considering an application for a scholarship, priority will be given to Guild members. If you are not a Guild member, it's reasonable to expect that part of your scholarship will be awarded in the form of a membership. The Guild’s Scholarship Committee will review the applications; we'll strive to distribute the entire balance of the fund for that calendar year based on the merit and completeness of the applications. Please follow these guidelines closely. Applications that do not follow them may be returned or not considered. If you would like to apply, submit your material for consideration at least one month prior to the event for which you are requesting financial assistance. This material should consist of, at minimum, the official Scholarship Application Form that includes the following:
The Statement of Purpose should explain what your particular interests are and how the event you want to attend specifically attracts you. Why do you want to attend, and how can the Guild best serve your purpose in attending? How can an educational component of the event enhance your career? The Statement of Need should include information on your current income level and/or other indicators of your need for financial assistance. Additional consideration will be given to those who can volunteer labor back to the Guild. Such contributions might include:
Besides the above materials, you should submit a résumé of related experience and letters or emails of recommendation. Your résumé should include your educational background including current school, workshops attended and/or work experience. Submit your application (in an email as a Word or PDF attachment) to scholarships@tfguild.org or by mail to TFG, PO Box 60, Becket, MA 01223 or by fax to 888-453-0879. Because of the need to distribute the applications in a timely manner to the Scholarships Committee, we highly recommend submitting applications as email attachments or faxes using the official form accompanied by any additional material you wish to submit. Acknowledgment of receipt of your application and notification concerning the award of the scholarship will be made by email ONLY to the email address provided on your application. If you do not have email or wish to be contacted in another way or at another email address, clearly indicate this on your application. If you do not receive acknowledgment of receipt of your application within one week of submission, please call the Becket office to confirm receipt. Thanks for your interest in the Guild’s Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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