Governor Mike Beebe Veterans Fund Scholarship instructions

GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE
VETERANS FUND SCHOLARSHIP
For wounded and disabled Veterans
Student Information and Instructions
Academic Year 2007-2008
                                                                           

The Governor Mike Beebe Veterans Fund Scholarship:  The program is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served and were wounded or disabled in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts ,or serving elsewhere in the war on terror, and their sons, daughters, or spouses attending a post-secondary institution.

Eligibility:  Uniform Services Members of the United States who served in Afghanistan, or contiguous air space as defined in federal regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense; or in Iraq, or contiguous waters or air space as defined in federal regulations, or serving elsewhere in the war on terror, on or after March 19, 2003, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense, may apply for a scholarship if they are:

• A physically wounded or disabled veteran who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, or serving  elsewhere in the war on terror, as defined above;
• A physically wounded or disabled active duty member of the Armed Forces who served at least 60 days in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, or serving elsewhere in the war on terror, as defined above;
• A physically wounded or disabled member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, or elsewhere, and served at least 60 days, as defined above; or
• a son, daughter or spouse of:
• a physically wounded or disabled veteran or active duty member of the Armed Forces who is serving or has served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, or served elsewhere in the war on terror, at least 60 days, as defined above; or
• a physically wounded or disabled member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or National Guard who was activated as a result of the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, or served elsewhere in the war on terror, and served at least 60 days, as defined above.

Applicants must be accepted for admission or enrolled in a regular undergraduate program and must be enrolled in the Beck P.R.I.D.E. Center program, at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas, or accepted for admission or enrolled in a 2-year terminal certificate program, at the same.  The student must be enrolled as either a full-time (12+ credits per semester) or part-time (6-11 credits per semester) undergraduate student. 

Award:  The award amount is dependant upon the annual tuition and mandatory fees and room & board and the special needs of the wounded or disabled veteran undergraduate at Arkansas State University.  The award amount may not exceed the amount required to fully fund uncovered cost for the 2007-2008 academic year and may not reflect subsequent tuition and fee increases made throughout the academic year.  NOTE:  Awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Scholarships awarded under this program shall supplement any federal education benefits for which a recipient qualifies as a result of an individual’s military service or status as a dependent of a member of the armed forces or of a veteran of the armed forces.  The funds may be used at Arkansas State University, to pay for educational expenses including tuition and mandatory fees, special needs due to the individual’s disability, and room and board.

Awards may be held for up to five years of full-time (12+ credits per semester) or eight years of part-time (6-11 credits per semester) attendance if the recipient is enrolled on at least a part-time (6-11 credits per semester) basis in an eligible program at Arkansas State University, maintains a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and, continues to meet all other eligibility requirements.  Audited courses cannot be used to reach the minimum credit hours required for full-time or part-time status.

Application Process:  Initial applicants for the scholarship must submit the Governor Mike Beebe Veterans Fund Scholarship form, with all required documentation, to the address below postmarked by April 1, 2008.

Required Documentation includes:

• A complete Governor Mike Beebe Veterans Fund Scholarship form;
• If a son or daughter of a veteran, a birth certificate showing the names of both parents;
• If a spouse of a veteran, a marriage certificate;
• Documentation of military orders:
• United States Armed Forces – Active Duty: copy of official military orders and documentation of service in Afghanistan/Iraq, or served elsewhere in the war on terror.
• United States Armed Forces – Veteran: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214)
• United States Armed Forces – Reserve Component: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214)
• National Guard – copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214)

Note:  DD214 form must include dates served and where served (Afghanistan/Iraq or contiguous waters or air space, or served elsewhere in the war on terror).  If information is not on DD214, other official documentation must be provided with dates and places as listed above.  Documents which only reference “Operation Iraqi Freedom” or “Operation Enduring Freedom” are not adequate.  Marines using Marine on Line must have downloaded material certified by current officer.  The items listed below are possible documentation sources if the DD214 is incomplete:

• Post employment Health Assessment
• Original TDY Travel Orders
• Commendation Medal certificates with narrative
• Award recommendation
• Out processing verification
• Statement of Service

 

Selection:  Awards are made annually, with renewal applicants given first priority.  Eligible applicants who are veterans shall be given priority over dependent children or spouses.  Within priority groups, applicants will be ranked according to application complete date.  Eligible applicants who receive the Governor Mike Beebe Veterans Fund Scholarship will be notified of the award in writing.  In order to accept an award, a recipient must provide the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation (SPEF) with a written acceptance of the award.  SPEF may not award an initial scholarship to an eligible applicant after June 30, 2012.  SPEF may renew a scholarship after June 30, 2012 if the individual received an initial scholarship prior to that date.

Complete and mail the application with required documentation to:

Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, Inc.
Attn: Richard S. Robinson
President & CDO
PO Box 1897
Brentwood, TN  37024