I. Purpose

This foundation strives to promote student excellence and achievement by providing scholarships to exceptionally capable students who demonstrate potential to contribute to the betterment of our society via their expertise and efforts. Four scholarships, two $1000 awards and two $500 awards will be granted this year.

II. Eligibility

A. The Applicant,

1. Or, a parent, shall be a member in good standing of Great Falls Teachers Federal Credit Union with a membership tenure of at least two years.

2. Shall be a U.S. Citizen.

3. Shall be a high school graduating senior, or a recent high school graduate or a student currently enrolled in a post secondary school career development program.

4. Shall have a 3.00 or higher grade point average (GPA), based on a 4.0 scale.

B. Foundation resources currently limit us to one year scholarships. Former Foundation Scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.

III. Application Criteria and Deadline

A. The applicant must submit a fully completed application, accompanied by an official school transcript showing a cumulative record through the most recent quarter or semester completed.

The completed application and all supporting data shall be submitted to the :Scholarship Committee, GFTFCU Foundation, Inc., P O Box 2736, Great Falls, MT 59403, and postmarked no later than Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

As an applicant, you are encouraged to provide the selection committee a concise, yet informative description of yourself, your accomplishments and your goals. It is advisable for you to submit a neat, preferably typed, application. Your response to some questions may require more space than provided. You may reference these "see attached sheet" and attach additional pages as needed.

B. The applicant shall prepare a personal statement of no more than three hundred (300) words stating his/her vocational or professional development goals. This commentary shall relate how the applicant's past, and recent experiences and activities, along with plans for the future will make the accomplishment of these goals possible.

C. The scholarship committee will rate each applicant based on these criteria:

• Scholastic achievement (30, regular 25, advanced placement 5)
• The personal statement of 300 words or less (30)
• School activities (20)
• Community activities (10)
• School and community leadership roles (10)

College applicants are encouraged to include a high school resume, which addresses school, community and leadership involvement.

D. Letters of recommendation will not be considered.

IV Scholarship Notification and Recipient Criteria

A. All GFTFCU Scholarship applicants will be notified by Memorial Day whether or not they were selected to receive scholarship funding. High School recipients will receive their award packet at their high school awards assembly or graduation ceremony. Post secondary students will receive their packet at their home address

B. The award packet will contain 1) a letter stating the amount of the scholarship awarded, 2) a form for the recipient to acknowledge acceptance of the scholarship within two weeks of the notification letter date and 3) a form to verify enrollment as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution. Failure to submit the required information, as requested, will result in the scholarship being awarded to an alternate.

The scholarship funds will be distributed directly to the student upon satisfactory completion of enrollment verification material provided in the award packet.

The funds will be 1) deposited to the student's savings account at the credit union and a receipt will be mailed to the student by the credit union, or 2) a check will be issued and mailed to the student.

V. Checklist (This list is provided to help you avoid submitting an incomplete application)

My application packet contains –

____ A completed scholarship application and any related attachments.

____ My personal statement with signature.

____ An Official School transcript.

____ A personal photo with my name on the backside and my authorization to use the photo for publication of the scholarship winners.

____ The deadline to submit the application is Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

The Scholarship application is set up to allow data entry. If you are unable to complete the application in one visit it may be saved and retrieved for completion at another time. Upon completion of your application, print it, sign it, attach a transcript and any addendums your information may have necessitated. Then, mail your packet to the aforementioned address prior to the deadline.

It may be wise to print a copy of the cover sheet and the application form as a work copy and ready reference, prior to starting data entry.