Each year the WHSA Parent and Staff Affiliates award scholarships to Head Start & Early Head Start parents and staff members to advance their levels of education. Additional information about the scholarship opportunities is listed below. All scholarship applications–parent and staff–are due at the WHSA office by Friday, May 27, 2011 in order to be considered timely for eligibility and selection committee review.
2011 Positive Opportunities for Parents (POP) Scholarships
In 2011, three POP Scholarships will be awarded to current Early Head Start or Head Start parents or guardians (persons legally responsible for a child) who are enrolled in or planning on attending an accredited education institution or job training center. The scholarships will be awarded to eligible applicants who will be determined by the WHSA Parent Affiliate selection committee based on the following criteria: the applicant’s personal and professional achievements, the applicant’s Head Start and community involvement, the applicant’s need (financial, extenuating circumstances, etc.), and the applicant’s educational and career goals. The amount of each scholarship is $350 and it may be used for course fees, books, childcare, and/or transportation.
Prior to completing an application, please review POP Scholarship eligibility and selection information. Interested individuals should then complete the 2011 WHSA Parent Affiliate POP Scholarships Application in full (applications must include the applicant’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director’s signature and have two accompanying letters of recommendation to be considered complete) and return it to the WHSA office by Friday, May 27, 2011.
2011 WHSA Staff Affiliate Scholarships
The WHSA Staff Affiliate awards the following four scholarships to current Head Start/Early Head Start program staff members annually: the John Erickson Memorial Scholarship, the Corrine “Corky” Mikus Memorial Scholarship, the Joyce E. Wilcox Memorial Scholarship, and the WHSA Staff Affiliate Scholarship. To be eligible for any of the four scholarships, applicant’s must have been employed by their Head Start/Early Head Start program for at least one year. The Corrine “Corky” Mikus and Joyce E. Wilcox Memorial Scholarships are reserved for staff members who are also past or current Head Start/Early Head Start parents. The WHSA Staff Affiliate composes the scholarship selection committee and awards scholarships to eligible applicants based on the following criteria: community involvement, special needs and circumstances, future plans, financial needs, and obstacles overcome while employed. Each scholarship award is in the amount of $300.
Please review the scholarship descriptions and eligibility criteria prior to completing an application. Interested individuals should complete an Application for the 2011 WHSA Staff Affiliate Scholarships in full (to be considered complete applications must include the applicant’s Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director’s signature and have two accompanying letters of recommendation) and return it to the WHSA office no later than Friday, May 27, 2011.
Questions about WHSA’s parent and staff scholarships opportunities can be directed to the WHSA office by calling 608-442-6879.
