The Minnesota Association of Townships will again offer a township scholarship program for high school juniors in the state of Minnesota. Up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
The Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) is a nonprofit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage and future of town government.
The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to further awareness and education about the township form of government. The Minnesota Association of Townships encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
Eligibility
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university, or vocational school are eligible for this program. Students cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.
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Requirements
Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay discussing this year's topic: Minnesota is 150 years old. Township government has been an integral part of government in Minnesota since the beginning.
Name several functions of township government and elaborate on why these functions were important then, and why they remain so today, even though methods of delivery may have changed. Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing.
Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay. See the application for research tips.
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit a current high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.
All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, MN 55376, postmarked by May 1, 2008. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1, 2008, will not be accepted.
Selection
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. The judging will be completed by Oct. 1, 2008, at which time; up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing mid-October 2008 and will be invited to attend the Minnesota Association of Townships annual meeting to be held on Nov. 20-22, 2008, in Alexandria..
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Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of enrollment at a college, university, or technical school.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships. Township government reflects the image as stated by our forefathers who believed that the government that governs best is government which is closest to the people, "Grassroots Township Government." For more information, visit the Web site at www.mntownships.org .
