I

The Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association (DPSOA) may provide Initial Scholarships to qualified individuals who meet the requirements, complete the application and qualify as a graduating high school senior or other eligible applicant.  Scholarships may also be provided to individuals who qualify for a Continuing Education Scholarship, after receiving an Initial Scholarship. Application for an Initial Scholarship must be made within four years of graduation from high school. Application for Continuing Education Scholarships must be made within four years of receiving an Initial Scholarship.  An applicant is eligible for an Initial Scholarship and three Continuing Education Scholarships.  Scholarships are available to members of the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association and to non-members of the Association.

II

As per Article X, Section 2 and 3 of the DPSOA BYLAWS, the President shall appoint a Scholarship Committee comprised of a minimum of five Board Members. The President shall designate one Board Member as the Committee Chairperson.  The Committee Members shall remain on the Committee until replaced by the President.  In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint another Board Member to fill the vacancy.

III

The Committee shall hold meetings as called by the President and/or Committee Chairperson. At least one meeting shall be held annually to review scholarship applications for the upcoming school year.

The Committee will review all applications submitted by the postmarked deadline date. The granting or non-granting of scholarships will be at the discretion of the Committee. After review of the applications for eligibility and qualifying/disqualifying factors, the Committee will vote to determine the applicants who will receive a scholarship.  The approval of a scholarship requires a majority vote of the Committee.

Those applicants not approved for a scholarship will be sent a letter, prescribed by the Committee, stating the reason(s) for disqualification or not being selected to receive a scholarship. All applications submitted will be retained for seven years.

 IV

To be eligible for a scholarship, all applicants must:

·        Meet the requirements for the scholarship being sought

• Meet the academic qualifications for the scholarship being sought:
  • Initial Scholarship:   2.00 G.P.A. minimum on a 4.00 scale or equivalent  
  • Continuing Education Scholarship:   2.75 G.P.A. minimum on a 4.00 scale or equivalent and have successfully completed a minimum of 24 semester college hours during the last 12 contiguous months of college attendance

·        Submit the correct application for the scholarship being sought

·        Complete the required application form in its entirety

·        Complete the application on a typewriter, computer or similar device

·        Sign and date the application

·        Submit all required documentation and attachments

·        Include required information in the narrative

·        Submit the narrative prepared on a typewriter, computer, or similar device

·        Submit the application via the United States Postal Service

·        Submit the application to the DPSOA office, postmarked on or before the deadline date

·        All information  submitted must be true and correct

V

The funds budgeted for the Scholarship Program shall be set annually by the Board of Directors.  The amount of the scholarships shall be determined annually by the Board of Directors.

VI

All applications submitted from non-members will be considered for approval as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service Code.

VII

Scholarships shall be awarded without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability.

VIII

Changes to these scholarship guidelines must be approved by the Board of Directors.