Jules & Gwen Knapp SIFE Ambassador Scholarship

Purpose

To recognize the leadership, teamwork and communication skills developed in SIFE students.

Award

The recipient of the award will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be used for educational purposes at the college or university he/she is attending on a full-time basis. The recipient will be recognized as the Knapp SIFE Ambassador for the year in which they receive the scholarship. As the Knapp SIFE Ambassador the recipient will receive training from SIFE USA and may be asked by SIFE to represent the organization on campuses and/or at events throughout the academic year.

Possible Additional Awards

Two or more additional $2,500 scholarships may be awarded to eligible students. Students receiving additional scholarships will be named a Knapp SIFE Student Leader for one year and may be asked by SIFE to represent the organization on campuses and/or at events throughout the academic year.

Qualifications

Applicants must:

1. Be enrolled at a four-year college or university.
2. Be a registered SIFE team member who competes at a SIFE USA Regional Competition during the year of application and the year the award is to be paid.
3. Be a SIFE Service Leadership Award recipient during the year of application.
4. Continue on the SIFE team at the same school and earn the SIFE Service Leadership Award the year the scholarship is paid.
5. Be a sophomore or junior at the time of selection in order to use the funds for his/her junior or senior year.
6. Have and maintain at least a 3.25 GPA or its equivalent.
7. Be a United States citizen.

*If qualifications two, four and six are not maintained during the year the scholarship is paid, the recipient will forfeit the full amount of the award.

Criteria

Qualified applicants will be evaluated based on:

1. How significant a difference they have made in the success of their SIFE team.
2. How significant a difference they have made in helping others succeed in the free enterprise system through their personal SIFE participation.
3. How well they have demonstrated outstanding leadership.
4. How well they have demonstrated superior communication skills.
5. How well they have demonstrated the ability to be a team leader and a team player.
6. How well they have demonstrated exemplary character.
7. Financial need.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following information online:

1. Cover page with name, school, address, SIFE team awards, etc. with no reference to race or gender.
2. An unofficial college transcript.
3. One-page essay on how SIFE has changed the applicant’s life.
4. One-page essay on how the applicant has changed someone else’s life through SIFE.
5. One-page recommendation from the applicant’s Sam Walton Fellow.
6. One-page recommendation from two other people of the applicant’s choice.

To apply on-line, please click here.

Selection Process

1. A panel of at least two SIFE Board members and a representative of Jules and Gwen Knapp will review the applications and select a minimum of three finalists.
2. The finalists will be interviewed by this same group at the SIFE USA National Competition.
3. The winner will be announced at the SIFE USA National Competition.

Entry Deadline

All entries must be received through the online application process by February 6, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. CST.