Department of Lay Ministries GWK Scholarship Information

THE DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRIES CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE GRAHAM/WEBB/KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Press Release Announcement The scholarship application process begins with a formal press release announcing the submission deadline. This release will direct potential candidates to the Department of Lay Ministries website and the Christian Index for detailed information about the scholarship, eligibility criteria, and application instructions.

Step 2: Submission of Application Materials Candidates must submit all necessary application materials to the Scholarship Committee by the specified deadline. Materials may include application forms, essays, recommendation letters, transcripts, and any other documentation as outlined in the application instructions.

Step 3: Initial Review of Applications After the submission deadline, a designated individual will conduct a preliminary review of all applications. This review aims to ensure that each candidate has submitted all required materials. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the eligibility criteria will be eliminated from further consideration.

Step 4: Confirmation of Receipt After the initial review, all candidates will receive confirmation letters. These letters will inform them whether their application has been successfully submitted and is under consideration or if it has been eliminated due to missing materials or other eligibility issues.

Step 5: Review and Scoring of Applications All complete and eligible applications will be forwarded to a review committee. The committee will evaluate and score each application using a standardized scoring matrix. This matrix will assess factors such as academic achievement, personal statement quality, extracurricular involvement, and letters of recommendation. Records of the scoring process will be maintained for future reference.

Step 6: Selection of Scholarship Recipients Once the review and scoring process is complete, the committee will determine the scholarship recipients and unsuccessful candidates.

A second press release will announce the winners, and the results will be posted on the Department's website. Determination letters will then be sent to both successful and unsuccessful candidates, informing them of the outcome.

Step 7: Award Disbursement Scholarship recipients must provide proof of enrollment at their intended school to the scholarship committee. Upon receipt of this documentation, a check will be mailed directly to the school on behalf of the student. A copy of the payment confirmation will also be sent to the student.

Step 8: Record Maintenance All records related to the scholarship application process, including scoring matrices, candidate communications, and payment confirmations, will be maintained for a period of four years. These records will be reviewed in case of any challenges or disputes regarding the scholarship process.

2025 High School Senior Scholarship Application - The Department of Lay Ministries - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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This structured process ensures a fair and transparent evaluation of candidates while maintaining compliance with organizational and legal requirements.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The following are the eligibility criteria for the program: - An active member of a local CME Church is required.

- It is required to be a high school senior graduating in the Spring of the 2024 academic school year and enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school for the 2024-2025 academic year.

- It must meet admission requirements for the intended college or academic program.

- It is required to plan to enroll as a full-time freshman at an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school for the 20242025 academic year.

HOW TO APPLY: Kindly follow these application instructions: - Ensure that all sections of the application form are completed.

- Craft a 300–400 word personal essay titled "Why Advanced Education Is Critical to My Future."

- Elaborate on the significance of continuing your education to you and your future aspirations.

- Collect the required documents as listed below.

- Merge all documents into a single PDF or Word file for submission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Please ensure adherence to the subsequent checklist for the scholarship application process: - Complete the scholarship application form, ensuring all blanks are filled or "N/A" is inserted if the question does not apply.

- Compose a personal essay.

- Furnish your high school transcript encompassing the first semester grades (or first two trimesters if applicable) for the 2024-2025 school year. It is important to note that winners must submit a final certified transcript bearing the official school seal.

- Obtain three recommendation letters: - One from your current pastor. Should the applicant be related to the pastor, a letter must be written by an active local Church Officer.

- Two additional non-family references.

IMPORTANT NOTE Kindly remember the following information: Application Deadline: All applications must be postmarked on or before October 15, 2024. Please be advised that applications submitted via email or fax will not be accepted.

Instructions: Please carefully read and adhere to these instructions. Use this as your checklist when completing the application. Ensure all blanks are filled in; if a question or blank is not applicable, indicate it as (N/A). Please print or type all information legibly.

Contact Information: Please verify that your contact information (telephone number(s), street address, email) is current and accurate.

It is essential to sign your application.

Please ensure that the completed application, along with any other necessary documents, is submitted to Ms. Yvonne Peters, the Chair of the Graham-Webb-Kennedy Scholarship Committee, Department of Lay Ministry, at 550 Falcon Dr, Florissant, MO 63031-2110.

Please contact Dr. Shannon Faulk, the General Secretary of Lay Ministries, with any questions or further assistance.

400 Corporate Pointe, Ste. 300 Culver City, CA 90230 310-590-4522/office 310-902-6836/cell

2025 High School Senior Scholarship Application - The Department of Lay Ministries - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION APPLICATION YEAR 2024 Reaching, Teaching, Generations, Works and Service

and Ministering to All Equipping Them for Greater for Him”

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRIES CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS. CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SHANNON L. FAULK, GENERAL SECRETARY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Be an active member of a local CME Church Be a high school senior graduating in the 2024-2025 school year.

Meet admission requirements for your intended college or academic program Plan to enroll as a full-time freshman at an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school for the 2024-2025 academic year

❑ ❑

Complete all sections of the application form Write a 300–400-word personal essay entitled “Why Advanced Education Is Critical to My Future.”

Describe why continuing your education is important to your future goals.

Gather the required documents listed below Combine all documents into one PDF or Word file for submission.

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

HOW TO APPLY:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Completed scholarship application form. (Fill in all blanks/lines or insert N/A if the question or requested information does not apply to you).

Personal essay High school transcript inclusive of the first semester grades (or first two (2) trimesters if applicable) for the 2023-2024 school year. Important Note: Applicants who are chosen as winners must submit a final certified transcript bearing the school’s official seal.

Three recommendation letters: - One from your current pastor (if the applicant is related to the pastor, an active local church officer must write the letter).

- Two additional non-family references

IMPORTANT NOTE ✓ Application Deadline: Applications must be postmarked on or before August 31, 2024. Please note that emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

✓ Instructions: Please read and follow these instructions very carefully. Use this as your personal checklist in completing the application. Fill in all blanks and if a question or blank is “not applicable” state (N/A). Please neatly print or type all information. ✓ Contact Information: Please ensure that your contact information (telephone number(s), street address, email) is current and correct. Be sure to sign your application.

✓ Submission: Return the completed application along with other required documents to: MS. YVONNE PETERS, CHAIR GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY 550 FALCON DR. FLORISSANT, MO 63031-2110

2025 High School Senior Scholarship Application - The Department of Lay Ministries - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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OFFICIAL APPLICATION Please print or type, use black ink, and follow the instructions: STUDENT INFORMATION Date: ______________ Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: _____________________ Zip: ___________________ Date of Birth: ________________________ Home Telephone: ____________________ Cell Number: ________________________ Email address: ____________________________________________________________ CME Church Member (Name of Church): ________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________ State: _____________________ Pastor’s Name: __________________________ Are you related to your Pastor? Yes ( ) No ( ) If yes, what is your relationship? _______________________ Local Lay Leader’s Name: ___________________________________ Region: _____________________________

Episcopal District: ________________

Bishop’s Name: _______________________________________

ACADEMIC INFORMATION What is your current major or potential field of study? (Please check the appropriate box) [ ] General Studies [ ] Art/Music [ ] History/Political Science [ ] Education [ ] Computer Science/Information Technology [ ] Healthcare [ ] Biology/Chemistry [ ] Engineering [ ] Business [ ] Marketing/Communications [ ] Other [ ] Finance/Accounting What is your current grade point average (GPA) range on a 4.0 scale? (Remember to send an official transcript with the Supplemental Materials. [ ] 4.0 or higher [ ] 2.5 or Higher [ ] 3.5 or higher [ ] 2.0 or Higher [ ] 3.0 or higher [ ] Below 2.0 What is your high school or post-secondary classification for the 2024-2025 academic year? [ ] High School Senior [ ] College Sophomore [ ] College Freshman [ ] College Junior ACTIVITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND AWARDS Please list any activities, organizations, and awards you have been involved with in school, church, and/or community over the last 3-4 years. (Use an additional sheet if needed) A. School: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2025 High School Senior Scholarship Application - The Department of Lay Ministries - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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B. Church: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ C. Community: _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What educational program or college major do you plan to enroll in? _______________________________ Expected completion date: ___________________ Name and location of institution you will be attending: ____________________________________________ Are you presently employed? ________________ Will you be employed while in school? ______________ Number of persons living in your household: _____________ Fill in the blanks to indicate the amount of financial assistance you will receive from other resources while in school. Please indicate whether annual or monthly by circling A for annual or M for monthly. **Amt. $__________ A / M Current Salary (if applicable) **Amt. $__________ A / M Veterans Benefits **Amt. $__________ A / M Social Security Benefits **Amt. $__________ A / M Vocational Rehabilitation **Amt. $__________ A / M Scholarships **Amt. $__________ A / M Pell Grant **Amt. $__________ A / M Loans **Amt. $__________ A / M Other Grants **Amt. $__________ A / M Other By signing below, I certify that all information provided in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Applicant’s signature: ________________________________________________________________________ Print Name:___________________________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Application Deadline: Applications must be postmarked on or before October 15, 2024. Please note that emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. There are absolutely no exceptions, we appreciate your timely submission and wish you much success.

2025 High School Senior Scholarship Application - The Department of Lay Ministries - Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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