LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE
The purpose of the Scholarship Program is to encourage academic excellence and the pursuit of post secondary education amongst the children of Lafarge Canada Inc. employees in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
The Company will annually award up to four, $4,000 scholarships for Applicants pursuing post secondary education through a college, university or trades school. Each scholarship is valued at $4,000 per year of study for up to four consecutive years or until the Applicant graduates from their respective program with a certificate, diploma, degree or Journeyperson ticket, whichever comes first.
Article 1: Definitions
1.1 The following words and phrases will have the meanings set forth below:
● Academic Year: The twelve month period commencing on September 1 and ending August 31 of the succeeding year.
● Company: Lafarge Canada Incorporated (LCI) is the corporation in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and each of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
● Applicant: An individual who wishes to apply for a scholarship, satisfies the criteria set forth and submits all required documentation in order to be given consideration for a scholarship under the program.
● Child/Children: Is the natural, foster, step or adoptive child, who is under the age of 25 years old, of an eligible Company Employee.
● Employee: An active permanent full time or part time employee of the Company or its wholly owned subsidiaries. Eligible employees also include those who are on lay off as a result of lack of work and those who are off work as a result of disability or death. Children of members of the Western Canadian Executive Committee are excluded from applying to this Program.
● Fund: The amount of money allocated to the Program for the current Program Year, from which, the Scholarship Committee will award Scholarships to new Applicants and continue the Scholarships for previous Recipients.
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
● Institution: Any recognized post secondary institution that awards a certificate, diploma, degree, or a Journeyperson ticket.
● Minimum Grade Average: Are satisfactory grades that have been defined as 70%, B , 2.7 for 4.0 GPA, 2.67 for 4.33 GPA or an equivalent grade based upon the grading system utilized within the Institution.
● Program: Is the scholarship program outlined within this document that is administered by the Company.
● Program Year: The twelve month period commencing on September 1 and ending on August 31 of the succeeding year.
● Recipient: Any Applicant who is selected by the Scholarship Committee to receive a Scholarship from the Company.
● Scholarship: A monetary award to a Recipient, who under this program will utilize the funds to assist in the cost of Tuition and other Related Expenses.
● Scholarship Award Date: The date the Company announces to an Applicant that they have been selected as a Recipient.
● Scholarship Committee: A committee who independently evaluates the merits of each application and decides upon the Applicants who will be given the Scholarship.
● Tuition and Related Expenses: Qualified tuition and related expenses (including fees, books, supplies and equipment required for courses of instruction) required by the post secondary institution.
Article II: Eligibility
2.1 The program is open to any Child of an eligible Employee(s) who will be or, who has graduated and has been awarded a high school diploma. Applicants must meet the program requirements at the time their application is submitted for review which includes, but it not limited to:
a)an official high school transcript which meets the Minimum Grade Average; and, b) the successful submission of all requirements under the scholarship application within the applicable timeframes.
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
2.2 In order to be considered for a Scholarship, each Applicant must present the following information to the Company prior to January 31 of the current Program Year:
a) Fully executed scholarship application;
b) An official high school transcript;
c) One letter of recommendation for the Applicant, from an unrelated individual, who can describe the Applicant’s motivation, ability, potential and character;
d) One written essay, approximately one page in length, expressing the Applicant’s educational and career goals; and,
e) One written essay, approximately one page in length, describing the Applicant’s volunteering activities and learnings.
Article III: Selection of Recipients
3.1 The Company will annually communicate the availability of the Scholarship Program from September 1 to December 1 of each Program year. The content of the communication will contain a description of the Program, the eligibility requirements and an address and telephone number where further information and applications may be obtained.
3.2 Scholarship applications will be made available to Applicants no later than December 1 of each Program Year.
3.3 Each Applicant’s scholarship application must be fully completed and all relevant documentation submitted to the Company no later than January 31 of the current Program Year, unless reasonable cause for delay is communicated and accepted by the Company by January 15.
3.4 The Company will confirm the eligibility of each Applicant and then the Scholarship Committee will review the fully submitted applications of all Applicants. Applications will be evaluated against others in the same stream of education being pursued:
a) College/University; or,
b) Trades School
The number of Scholarships awarded in each stream will be dependent upon the number of applications received, to a grand total of four (4) on an annual basis. The selection of Recipients will be made by a majority vote of the Scholarship Committee from the Applicants for the current Program Year. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final.
3.5 The Scholarship Committee will evaluate all applications based upon the following factors:
a) The Applicant’s grades in high school;
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
b) The recommendation of one unrelated individual who will comment upon the Applicant’s character, motivation, ability and potential;
c) The Applicant’s written essay expressing their educational and career goals;
d) The Applicant’s written essay expressing their volunteering activities and their learnings from those opportunities; and,
e) The Applicant’s work experience and/or extracurricular activities.
3.6 There is no limitation under the Program for the field of study providing it yields a certificate, diploma, degree or Journeyperson ticket.
3.7 Applicants who are selected as Recipients shall be announced no later than May 1 of the current Program Year. In addition, any Alternate Recipients will be informed at that time of their role as an alternate.
3.8 The Scholarship Committee will also select the four (4) next highest placing Applicants to become Alternate Recipients. The purpose of Alternate Recipients will be to fill any vacancies in Scholarship positions occurring during the current Program Year, as a result of Recipients who have been terminated from the Program. Alternate Recipients will be eligible to receive a Scholarship only for the remaining portion of the four-year period covered by the terminating Recipient’s Scholarship. If two or more vacancies occur during the Program Year, the highest placing Alternate Recipient(s) selected for such year shall fill the vacancy or vacancies with the longest remaining Scholarship term. The selection of an Applicant as an Alternate Recipient will not guarantee that such Applicant will receive a Scholarship, as the number of Alternate Recipients that receive Scholarships will depend upon the number of vacancies occurring during the Program Year. For purposes of these Program guidelines, the term “Recipient” shall also refer to an “Alternate- Recipient” unless otherwise noted.
Article IV: Scholarships
4.1 Each Scholarship awarded will be for $4,000 per year for up to four (4) consecutive Academic Years or until a certificate, diploma, degree or Journeyperson ticket has been achieved whichever occurs first, starting with the Academic Year, beginning within the Program Year, in which the Recipient is selected, unless:
a) the Scholarship is delayed or interrupted as provided in Section 4.6
b) the Scholarship is terminated as provided in Section 4.7
c) the Applicant is selected as an Alternate Recipient as provided in Section 3.8 above
The Scholarship award for each year will not exceed the cost of Tuition and Related Expenses for such year. Therefore, if a Recipient has received other awards or scholarships (excluding loans and any financial aid where repayment is expected) for Tuition and Related Expenses, then the
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
amount of the Scholarship shall be reduced so that the sum of the Scholarship plus all such other awards or scholarships shall not exceed the costs of Tuition and Related Expenses.
4.2 The maximum number of Scholarships which may be awarded to Applicants in any Program Year will be up to four (4) as determined by the Company.
4.3 The disbursement of funds under a Scholarship will be made directly to the Institution attended by the Recipient, whenever practicable. The Company will be responsible for determining the amount, manner and time of all disbursements of funds under the Program.
4.4 In order to remain a Recipient in the Program for the entire four years, or the length of the program whichever is shorter (or for a shorter term designated for an Alternate Recipient):
a) Each Recipient must submit no later than the start of each Academic Year, beginning with the Program Year, in which the Recipient is selected:
i) Proof of graduation from high school and admission to an Institution, or continued enrollment at an Institution and progress toward a certificate, diploma, degree or trades ticket;
ii) A statement projecting the costs of Tuition and Related Expenses at the Institution for that Academic Year; iii) A statement detailing other awards and scholarships (excluding loans and financial aid for which repayment is expected) received or to be received by the Recipient during the current Academic Year; and, iv) A statement describing the academic term used at the Institution and the dates upon which each term ends during the current Academic Year.
b) Each Recipient must submit no later than one month after the close of each semester or term, during each Academic Year, an official transcript from the Institution attended showing all courses taken and all grades received.
c) Each Recipient must maintain a cumulative grade average equal to or greater than the Minimum Grade Average under the Program.
4.5 If the reports submitted under Section 4.4 (or the failure to submit these reports) or other information causes the Company to believe that any Scholarship funds have been diverted outside the terms of the Program, the Recipient shall promptly supply the Company such information as it requests. While conducting its investigation, the Company will withhold further payments to the extent possible. If the Company determines that funds have, in fact, been diverted or used for improper purposes by the Recipient, the Recipient will restore the diverted funds to the Company and give such assurances and cooperation to prevent future diversions.
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
4.6 The Recipient’s participation in the Program may be delayed or interrupted for an appropriate period or periods, not to exceed two years, to take into account military or religious service, prolonged illness or other circumstances affecting the Recipient on an extended basis which the Company determines result in reasonable cause for a delay or interruption in participation. All decisions to permit a delay or interruption in a Recipient’s participation in the Program shall be within the sole and absolute discretion of the Company, and before considering any such decision the Company shall request and receive from a Recipient such documentation and information to make an informed decision on the matter. If a delay or interruption in a Recipient’s participation is granted, such participation shall resume as soon as possible after the circumstances causing the delay or interruption have ceased. If the resumption of participation does not occur within a reasonable time as determined by the Company or delay/interruption exceeds two years, the Recipient’s participation in the Program shall terminate.
4.7 The Company may terminate the Scholarship of any Recipient if:
a) The Recipient fails to timely provide the reports or maintain the grade average required by Section 4.4;
b) The Company reasonably believes that a diversion of Scholarship funds has occurred and the Recipient refuses to promptly supply the requested information to the Company, refuses to restore diverted funds, or refuses to give such assurances or cooperation in such precautionary measures as the Company deems necessary; or,
c) The Institution has taken disciplinary action against the Recipient. The Company reserves the right to terminate the scholarship of any Recipient who is deemed to be undeserving of the award.
4.8 A Recipient may transfer from one Institution to another Institution provided that all of the requirements of Section 4.4 are satisfied.
4.9 Once an Applicant is selected as a Recipient, the continued employment of a Recipient’s parent or step parent is a condition of continued eligibility under the Program. Should the Recipient's parent or step parent voluntarily or involuntarily leave the Company, the Recipient will be eligible for their Scholarship for the remainder of the current Academic Year; after which, they would be ineligible to receive the remainder of the scholarship. In addition, any change of marital status of the Recipient’s parent shall not be a condition of continued eligibility under the Program.
4.10 All Recipients agree to provide consent for the Company to use a mutually agreeable image in internal and external publications.
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Article V: Scholarship Committee
5.1 The Scholarship Committee shall consist of at least three external individuals who will be appointed by the Company and one rotating Company Executive to serve on the Committee. Vacancies, previously held by an external member of the Committee, shall be filled by the Company using, but not limited, to the below criteria:
a) An external Scholarship Committee member must not be an employee, former employee, or closely related to any employee of the Company. Closely related is defined in this context as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, first or second cousins, step relatives, and spouses of the same degrees.
b) External Scholarship Committee members must be currently employed in teaching or administration of a program or department that is directly involved with students at an accredited college or university. The student contact should be direct, but not necessarily face to face. For example, a department or program such as admissions, career service, alumni service, development or financial aid/scholarship will be considered as involved directly with students.
The Company will annually select, at their discretion, one member of the Western Canadian Executive Committee to serve on the Scholarship Committee.
The Company, in its discretion, may from time to time review the composition of the Scholarship Committee in order to ensure that the Committee meets the needs and objectives of the Program.
5.2 The Scholarship Committee shall have sole responsibility for:
a) Determining the Recipients and Alternate-Recipients of Scholarships; and,
b) Determining the order of granting Scholarships
The Scholarship Committee will have no power to add to, subtract from or modify any of the terms of the Program, or to change or add to any Scholarships except as provided herein, or to waive or fail to apply any requirements of eligibility for a Recipient.
5.3 External Scholarship Committee members will be eligible for an annual stipend as determined by the Company to compensate them for the time of reviewing applications and making selections.
LAFARGE CANADA INC. WESTERN CANADA & the PACIFIC NORTHWEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Article VI: Financial Matters
6.1 The Company will annually allocate a sum of money to an internally managed scholarship account for the purposes of providing Scholarships to continuing Recipients and to Applicants who will become Recipients during the current Program Year. This allocation shall be made no later than June 30 of the Program Year.
6.3 The amount of Scholarships awarded, by the Scholarship Committee, will be consistent with the amount in the internally managed scholarship account as allocated by the Company.
Article VII: Company Responsibilities
7.1 For each Program Year, the Company will review the eligibility criteria for Applicants, as well as the application process, to ensure its situational and contemporaneous relevance with, and its adherence to the spirit and purpose of, the Scholarship Program.
7.2 The Company will confirm the eligibility of all Applicants based upon the employment status of their Parent(s).
7.3 The Company will announce the availability of Scholarships and selected Recipients under the Program.
7.4 If a Recipient has inappropriately diverted Scholarship funds, the Company will take all appropriate and reasonable steps to recover the diverted funds.
7.5 The Company will maintain accurate records concerning:
a) The number of Applicants for each Program Year
b) All information received by the Company which will be used by the Scholarship Committee in evaluating Applicants.
c) Any information regarding the relationship of any Applicant to any “disqualified person”.
d) The amount of each Scholarship, name of the Recipient and Institution attended.
e) All documentation that the Recipient is required to supply under Section 4.4 and any information received under Section 4.5.
f) All investigations regarding the diversion of Scholarship funds.