ACA Announces 2008 Ross Trust Scholarship Competition

Individuals interested in obtaining additional information about the Ross Trust Scholarships can direct their questions via email to: jmacdonald@counseling.org. Be certain to include name, address, phone, fax and email contact information with the inquiry.

Special recognition of counselor education students preparing to work the elementary, middle and secondary schools of the nation

The American Counseling Association is pleased to announce the 2008 Ross Trust Scholarship Program, a competition designed to recognize the importance of quality counseling in the schools of our nation and call attention to the meritorious efforts of students preparing for school counseling careers.

The Ross Trust Scholarships were? awarded for the first time in 2005 and continue today due to the generosity of the Dorothy Ross family. Once again, ACA will award 15 scholarships (ten to masters level students and five to doctoral level students).

Counselor educators at institutions offering masters and doctoral programs can nominate students who represent, in their estimation, the highest standards of academic achievement, volunteer engagement in the community, as well as evidence of scholarly research, writing and presentations (doctoral scholarships only).

The Scholarships

Each Ross Trust Scholarship has? a monetary value of $1,255. Each scholarship recipient will be awarded a $1,000 monetary payment along with a complimentary registration to the 2008 ACA annual convention (Value - $170) and a complimentary student membership in the association ($85).

Criteria for the Ross Trust Scholarship

Counselor educators are ask to nominate candidates based on the following:

Masters level students (10 awards)

Outstanding academic performance (based on minimum of 15 graduate hours completed). Exemplary volunteer activities in schools or community

Doctoral level students (5 awards)

Outstanding academic performance (based on minimum of 15 graduate hours completed). Exemplary volunteer activities in schools and/or community Scholarly research, writing or presentation

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Each nominee/applicant must be actively enrolled in either a masters level or doctoral level program of studies in preparation to work as a professional counselor at the elementary, middle or secondary education level.

Both the scholarship applicant and counselor educator nominator must hold active membership in ACA.

Counselor educators can nominate one individual each for the masters and doctoral scholarships

Scholarship Nomination/Application Process

The nomination/application process will take place in two stages, the nomination by the counselor educator and the application by the nominee. Nominations/applications must be made using the electronic nomination/application form posted at the ACA Web site (www.counseling.org). This nomination/application process will begin on October 4, 2007.

The following information is required:

1. Nominator information: Name, ACA member number, title, institution and contact information for the counselor educator making nomination.

2. Nominee information: Name, member number and contact information for each nominee. The counselor educator will also attest that the person being nominated meeting meets the eligibility and selection criteria identified above.

3. Application Requirements - Once the nomination portion of the form is completed, the student will complete the application section. The application section of the form requires the following:

Masters and doctoral level scholarships

a. Statement of the career goal by the applicant. This statement should address how he/she intends to apply their counseling knowledge and skills in an educational environment. Maximum words ? 150

b. Description of volunteer experiences in schools/community. This statement should identify the audience(s) served and an overview of the contribution made by the volunteer. Maximum words - 150

Doctoral level scholarships (additional requirement)

a. Statement reflecting the research, writing and presentation activities of the applicant. Maximum words ? 150

4. Supporting Documents - The final part of the nomination and application process will be the submission of an official transcript of counselor education studies. This transcript will validate official enrollment and record of achievement in academic performance. Nominees/applicants for the doctoral level scholarships must also submit a curriculum vitae that reflects their research, writing and presentation activities.

Supporting documents should be directed to: ACA Ross Trust Scholarship Program, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304.

Nomination/Application Deadline - Forms must completed and submitted by November 16, 2007. Supporting documents should also be received by that date.

Reviewer Link:
http://precis.preciscentral.com/User/UserLogin.asp?Action=Reviewer&EventID=03c6b069

Checklist Link:
http://precis.preciscentral.com/Submit/Checklist.asp?EventID=03c6b069