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Otto Rhoades Scholarship

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1. What information do I need to send with the application and written narrative?

You must make sure that your written narrative also covers your career goals. Make sure to follow these guidelines, or you will be disqualified:

• The application must be filled out entirely.
• Submit a resume showing work and / or school experience.
• A letter of recommendation is needed, and the writer must fully disclose their relationship to the applicant.
• Submit copies of all supporting documents in reference to information you have listed throughout the narrative. Examples include newspaper articles, certificates, academic awards, etc.

2. What if I am a senior in high school?

When filling out the application, make sure you forward a certified copy of your high school transcripts. If you are selected as the winner, you will be asked to send a certified copy of your high school diploma prior to re-imbursement of your approved expenses.

3. Who is eligible to receive this scholarship?

This scholarship is open to all current chapter members and qualifying family members as long as the member has at least two full years of continuous membership in the Illinois Chapter (prior to the date of the scholarship application). Applicants must already have a high school diploma or GED certificate.

4. Which family members are eligible?

The member's spouse, providing the spouse resides in the same household, is also eligible, as are member's children under the age of twenty-three (23). Member's children do not need to reside in the same household and may include natural born, adopted, or a stepchild.

5. How much is the scholarship?

The scholarship amount may vary from year to year, but the amount of the scholarship for 2020 is $2,000.

6. What can I use the money for?

The recipient can use the money for tuition, books or lab fees.

7. How do I get the money?

At the end of the academic period, if the recipient maintains an overall equivalent of a 'C' average in all classes, then Illinois APCO will reimburse the student for all qualified expenses up to the maximum scholarship amount. Example...John is enrolled in the fall semester at U of I in Champaign. At the end of that semester John has an overall 'B' average. John can now submit up to $2,000 in receipts for tuition, books and/or lab fees. He can also ask for $1,000 in eligible expenses, and then carry the unused balance into the next academic period because the scholarship is good for a full twelve months from the date of the award. If John did not maintain at least a 'C' average then he could not claim any portion of his scholarship for that academic period.

8. Where can I use the scholarship?

The scholarship recipient must be enrolled in an accredited university, college, junior college or trade school either as a full time or part time graduate or under-graduate student. There are no restrictions with respect to fields of study. Other public safety related classes offered by a non-accredited institution would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

9. How can I apply for this scholarship?

Easy - Print the application form, fill it our and return it to the Chapter Secretary. Each application must include a copy of the applicant's high school diploma or GED certificate.

10. Who decides the winner?

All applications will be filtered by the Secretary, that is all references to name, sex, age, etc. will be removed, assigned a file number and then forwarded to the chapter Scholarship Committee. The Chapter Scholarship Committee will review all of the numbered applications and decide the winner. The Scholarship Committee is made up of a chapter officer, an active member, a technician member, a commercial member and a Telecommunicator member.

11. Where do I send my application?

Send your completed application and all supporting documents to:

Ed Milam
Illinois APCO Secretary
17547 Woodbrook Lane
Lockport, IL 60441
(708) 417-7817
Edward.milam@gmail.com

12. If I have more questions whom can I contact?

You can call Ed Milam at 708-417-7817 edward.milam@gmail.com