WEDC Foundation: Grants & Criteria

GRANTS:
Renewable grants of $500 - $2500 for tuition, fees, books, dependent care, transportation or related expenses.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 1ST OF EACH YEAR. Awards are made once a year and announced in the spring or early summer.

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APPLICATION QUALIFICATIONS

Criteria:
Minimum high school diploma or GED

• Madison County resident
• Prefer a household income of $32,000 or less
• Special consideration to those responsible for dependent care
• Prefer candidate to be employed

Candidate Description:

• The candidate must have goals.
• The candidate must be motivated.
• The candidate must possess a record of success.
• The candidate must be willing to enter into a mentoring relationship.

Payment arrangements will be finalized at the MANDATORY ORIENTATION SESSION, which will be held in the summer, prior to the beginning of the school year.

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SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications are available through various groups in the community, as well as through WEDC and on this Web site. The application contains information related to current employment, level of education completed, marital and dependent status, and household income. The applicant is also to tell us why they need the scholarship and what their goals are for the future. They are asked to give references as well.

The Selection Committee will review the applications and set up interviews with those that appear to be good candidates. Following the interview process, the committee will review their notes and do reference checks on their top choices. Selections will be made based on the outcome of the interview and reference check process. The Selection Committee will present the slate to the Foundation Board for approval.

The annual orientation session will be scheduled right after selections are made.

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MENTORING PROGRAM:
The WEDC Foundation's uncommon approach to helping Scholars succeed in their efforts includes mentoring: matching a Scholar with a qualified woman, preferably in the Scholar's field, who can guide the Scholar during her education and provide a direct link with the Foundation. Besides the obvious forms of support - educational, life skills and even emotional - the Scholar may also receive benefit through the Mentor's network of contacts.

Mentors will provide professional and personal support to the recipient, using the guidelines set forth by the Foundation. The goal will be to obtain the mentor through WEDC, or women known to WEDC members, who would make a good fit for the recipient.

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QUARTERLY LEARN & NETWORK EVENTS:
The WEDC Foundation will hold quarterly Scholar Development events for our Scholars. The topics for these sessions will be based on the inputs we've gathered from our current Scholars.

The intent is to provide information that will assist Scholars in improving their lives in a relaxed environment, where they can provide each other with their own insights & experience, as well as that of the Presenters and Mentors.

Recent seminar topics include "Stretching Your Budget", "Dress For Success", "Managing Stress" and "Life Choices".

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Click here if you'd like to print or save our online application form.

Click here for contact information.

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