| All-USA
Awards
The All-USA Scholarship is a merit award based on student involvement versus financial need. Judging criteria include academic excellence; leadership and service; and how students have extended their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
Each year, two students will win a full-tuition waiver to one of Arizona's three public universities (ASU, NAU, U of A) plus a cash prize. Waivers may be used for two years of full-time enrollment or four years of part-time enrollment. Additional scholarship dollars may be awarded if the student winners rank in the top 20 winners in Arizona.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled at a community college and carry at least 6 semester hours at the 100-level or above
- A cumulative college-level GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for all coursework completed in the last five years, regardless of institution attended.
- Be on track to earn an Associate or a Bachelor degree (minimum of 45 semester college-level credits by end of fall 2008 and 53 semester college-level credits by August 2009 and a minimum of 30 semester college-level credits in the past five years).
- Must not have been nominated previously for the All-USA Academic Team.
- Must have a community college record free of suspension, probation, and serious disciplinary action, and must enjoy full rights of citizenship in his/her country.
- Students DO NOT need to be a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to apply or win.
Key Components of Past Success
Timeline
The All-USA Scholarship competition takes place each fall at the start of October. Winners of awards that can be used for fall 2009 transfers will be announced in November, 2008. Each winner must complete a formal application packet due no later than November 19, 2008 for the 2009 award. Awards will be formally recognized in February 2009.
Selection Process
Step I: Essay Competition
In 500 words or less, write an essay on the following topic:
Describe the most significant endeavor while attending community college in which you applied your academic or intellectual skills to benefit your school, community, or society.
Essays must be written anonymously with no mention of the student author's name or other identifying information in the body of the essay. A separate essay cover sheet will identify the student.
The essay may NOT exceed two pages, typed and double-spaced. The font size cannot be smaller than 10 point. "Judges will consider originality, initiative, degree of difficulty, results and benefit to society. ONLY two double-spaced typed pages will be considered. Please limit your answer to one specific endeavor.” (based on All USA 2008 Requirements; 2009 rules are announced in early September 2008, but changes are usually minor).
Submit your essay to Faculty Scholarship Coordinator, Dr. Olga Tsoudis, Estrella Hall 126F, olga.tsoudis@emcmail.maricopa.edu, 623-935-8592 no later than 12 noon on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Late submissions will not be accepted. Faculty will read and rank the essays in order to name four semi-finalists.
Step II: Semi-Finalist Judging and Awards
Each of the four semi-finalists will be asked to submit additional discussion questions and other information for review. Faculty will again rank their submissions to choose the final two scholarship winners. Scholarship winners will be announced on or about November 19, 2008.
Every semi-finalist is a winner - The two semi-finalists NOT chosen as All-USA Scholarship winners will each receive a $100 scholarship for use during Spring 2009 enrollment at EMCC. There's a reward for all who reach this level.
Contact Information
The All-USA Scholarship application process is coordinated by the EMCC Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. For further information, please contact EMCC Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor Marylyn Bradley in 234B Montezuma, 623.935.8178, or send an email to marylyn.bradley@emcmail.maricopa.edu.
Sponsorship
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society sponsors the All-USA Scholarship program nationally. Phi Theta Kappa membership is NOT required to apply for or win scholarship awards.
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