NCMA DENVER CHAPTER 2011-2012 SCHOLARSHIP PLAN

Goal: This Scholarship Plan is intended to expand awareness of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Denver Chapter (the Chapter) in the local contracting business community and support the Chapter charter by furthering communication between the Chapter, industry and educational institutions. Scholarship funds will be used to expand membership, educate current Chapter members and offer education and mentoring opportunities to potential new members pursuing contracting as a career.

Objectives - The scholarship plan has three objectives:

1. Provide funds for dues of current Chapter members (Membership Dues Scholarships);


2. Provide funds to help educate Chapter members in order to retain current members and attract new members interested in pursuing contracting as a career (Continuing Education Scholarships); and


3. Provide funds for college scholarships to introduce the Chapter to future potential members (College Scholarships).

Scholarship Plans : The Chapter intends to make funds available for scholarships.

• Membership Dues Scholarships: Scholarship funds may be set aside for the funding of memberships dues for those members who require assistance for the payment of dues where the member's company or agency will not pay for such.

Eligible Candidates :

Employees of businesses in which the company does not pay the NCMA dues of employees; and
Federal employees where the agency does not pay NCMA dues and the Chapter wants to grant scholarships to those members.

Requirements :

• Scholarship awardees should show an active participation in the Chapter for that program year and attend at least two Chapter monthly meetings for that program year; and


• Applicant must show proof of company or agency refusal to pay, where applicable.


• Continuing Education Scholarships: Scholarship funds made available to support the education or continuing education of current and active Chapter members.

Eligible Candidates :

• Current and active Chapter members who need scholarships to attend leadership conferences ( e.g., National Leadership Conference);


• Current and active Chapter members who need assistance in order to attend the NCMA fall or spring symposium;


• Current and active Chapter members who are pursuing a first time bachelor's degree in a contracting or business related field;


• Current and active Chapter members who have a degree, but are pursuing further education concerning relevant skills; and


• Current and active Chapter members who are federal employees and want to take a class in further pursuit of their contracting skills, but the agency does not have the money.

Requirements :

• Scholarship awardees should show an active participation in the Chapter for that program year and attend at least two Chapter monthly meetings for that program year; and


• Applicant must demonstrate proof of company or agency refusal to pay, where applicable.


• College Scholarships: Scholarship funds made available to help grow Chapter membership by providing college scholarships for individuals who have shown an interest in pursuing contracting or business as a profession. This scholarship is intended for individuals currently enrolled in a college or university and actively pursuing a contracting or business profession. This scholarship is also available to high school seniors. In addition, this scholarship will provide payment of an awardee's Chapter membership for that program year and pay for that individual's meals at the monthly meeting for that program year.

Eligible Candidates :

• High school seniors or college students who are currently enrolled, or intending to enroll, in a college or university and working on a degree in a contracting or business field of study.

Requirements:

• Applicants must submit a 250-word essay on who they are, why they are interested in contracting or business as a profession, what their career goals are and how they plan to obtain them.


• College applicants must be currently enrolled in a contracting or business field of study and high school students must enroll in a contracting or business field of study within one year of award.

General Scholarship Requirements :

• Applications should be submitted to the NCMA Scholarship Co-Chairpersons at:

• The Scholarship Co-Chairpersons will present to the Board of Directors (BOD) each application. The BOD will vote and select the top candidates and identify the amount to be awarded for each scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded during a meeting for that program year.


• The Chapter requires that all scholarship recipients submit a one page after-action report letting the Chapter know what activities the funds were used to pay for and what the recipient received as a result.


• Applicants are only eligible for one scholarship per program year.


• There are no guarantees applicants will receive a scholarship.


• All Scholarships are subject to funding availability.

Marketing Strategy for Scholarship Funds :

• Advertise the opportunity for scholarships on the NCMA Webpage;


• Include a notice of this opportunity to all NCMA members through the Chapter newsletter;


• Contact the Small Business Administration to identify potential candidates;


• Contact Denver Metro Area high schools and higher educational institutions (colleges and universities) to make them aware of the scholarship program and the scholarships;


• Prepare a brochure to hand out at the Chapter monthly meetings and potential schools to raise awareness of the scholarship program;


• Provide a nominal gift certificate for any Chapter member who actively assists with the application and award of a scholarship under this plan;


• Advertise the scholarship program in various scholarship clearinghouse databases;


• Advertise within selected companies; and


• Contact the National level NCMA to find out about additional opportunities.

Potential Sources of Scholarship Funds :

• Chapter Funds;


• NCMA National Funds; and


• Large businesses that may wish to contribute to the scholarship program.