Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must hold a valid FCC amateur radio license at any level (Technician, General, Extra).
- The applicant must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, trade school, or technical school).
- The Applicant must be a resident of the State of Michigan.
- The Applicant must not be an immediate family member of scholarship selection committee members or Board of Directors of the Arrow Communication Association.
Application Requirements
- Completed scholarship application form.
- Copy of current amateur radio license.
- Official copy of high school or college transcripts.
- Personal statement or essay (topic to be determined by club, e.g., “How Amateur Radio Has Influenced My Education and Career Goals”).
- Letters of recommendation (from a licensed amateur radio operator, a teacher, a community leader, or employer).
- Proof of acceptance or current enrollment at an accredited institution.
Evaluation
The following provides a standardized scoring system. Each criterion should be scored on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) unless otherwise noted. Panels may assign half-point increments if justified, and are encouraged to provide comments for each section.
1. Academic Achievement (20 points)
- 5: Top 10% of class or GPA ≥ 3.7; rigorous course load; honors/AP/IB participation.
- 4: GPA 3.3–3.69; strong course load; some honors/AP classes.
- 3: GPA 3.0–3.29; standard course load.
- 2: GPA 2.5–2.99; less rigorous course load.
- 1: GPA < 2.5 or weak academic record.
2. Involvement in Amateur Radio (25 points)
- 5: Demonstrated exceptional involvement (e.g., leadership roles in clubs, organizing events, mentoring new operators, special projects such as contesting, public service, or technical innovation).
- 4: Active member; regular participation in events, volunteering, or technical activities.
- 3: Moderate participation; occasional involvement in club or community events.
- 2: Minimal involvement; attended a few events, limited engagement.
- 1: Holds a license but no demonstrated involvement.
3. Leadership and Community Service (15 points)
- 5: Held leadership roles (officer, committee chair, etc.) in school, amateur radio, or community organizations; initiated service projects or outreach.
- 4: Active in community service with consistent record of volunteering.
- 3: Occasional volunteer or supportive team member.
- 2: Limited service; minimal volunteer experience.
- 1: No evidence of leadership or community service.
4. Personal Statement or Essay (15 points)
- 5: Exceptionally well-written; compelling connection to amateur radio; demonstrates clear goals and strong motivation; insightful and original.
- 4: Well-written; good connection to amateur radio; goals and motivation present.
- 3: Adequately written; some connection to amateur radio; goals somewhat clear.
- 2: Poorly written; weak or unclear connection to amateur radio.
- 1: No essay submitted or lacks relevance.
5. Letters of Recommendation (15 points)
- 5: Outstanding endorsements; highly supportive; illustrate applicant’s character, skills, and dedication to amateur radio and service.
- 4: Strong endorsements; supportive; mention applicant’s strengths and contributions.
- 3: Satisfactory; generally positive but not specific.
- 2: Weak or generic recommendations.
- 1: Negative or missing recommendations.
6. Additional Factors (Optional – 15 points)
- Examples: Overcoming adversity, underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, unique contributions to amateur radio or the community, etc.
- Score based on panel’s discretion, with justification.
Total Possible Points: 105
- Academic Achievement: 20
- Amateur Radio Involvement: 25
- Leadership & Service: 15
- Essay: 15
- Recommendations: 15
- Additional Factors: 15 (optional)
Application Timeline
- Application period opens: January 1
- Application deadline: March 31
- Committee review: April 1–30
- Recipient announcement: May 15
- Funds disbursed: June 1