GSPCA Juniors Scholarship

The German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America recognizes the importance of juniors in our sport and through this scholarship also recognizes the importance of education in creating an informed and well-rounded adult.

The Role of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America (hereinafter referred to GSPCA):

The active interest in junior handlers by the GSPCA, demonstrates the importance which the Parent Club places on their activities. The Parent Club includes the following activities for juniors: 1) It offers GSPCA Juniors memberships at no costs. 2) It recognizes the top three (3) juniors who qualify for the Westminster Kennel Club or the AKC National Championships in Junior Showmanship as part of an annual grant award. 3) It offers junior activities in conjunction with the National Specialty Show. 4) It recognizes all junior members achievements at the Annual Awards Banquet.

APPLICATION FOR JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The GSPCA is pleased to provide this application for the junior scholarship program. Chosen applicants will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship for college/university expenses. Recipients must be a senior student at an accredited high school, have been home schooled, or a freshman at an accredited college or university and must complete the criteria and requirements as stated in the accompanying application documents.

Applications must be received by February 25th to the GSPCA Corresponding Secretary who will then forward copies of the application to the members of the Scholarship Committee for review no later than March 1st of each calendar year.

No scholarship must be awarded if the Scholarship Committee does not feel that there is a qualified and deserving applicant.

Scholarship Criteria

The GSPCA offers scholarships for junior members who participate in AKC events for a minimum of three years with a German Shorthaired Pointer. These include one or more of the following activities: conformation & junior handling, obedience & rally trials, agility trials, field trials, hunt tests.

The scholarship is available to those students who are or have been GSPCA Junior Members. If the applicant is no longer a Junior Member, they must have continued to be a Full Member in good standing of the Club.

The GSPCA College Scholarship Fund may provide up to two scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors or full time college freshmen pursuing a two or four year degree in an accredited college or university program and maintaining a minimum of 12 semester hours. Applicants must remain enrolled in the college or university for at least one year after accepting scholarship funds.

Each applicant is required to submit an official current high school transcript. Information must verify the GPA. If an applicant is home schooled or a grading system is not being utilized, then test results or other information describing the student’s work may be submitted. Scholarships will be based on a minimum 3.0 high school grade point average, school leadership and community involvement. Scholarship will be awarded on a one-time basis.

Applicants must write an essay of no more than 750 words, as part of the application process. The essay must describe the applicant’s interests and experiences in the sport of purebred dogs, and how the individual perceives his or her future role in the fancy. Essays will be evaluated by the scholarship committee based on originality, merit of content and writing proficiency.

Applicants should use the essay to demonstrate their maturity and ability to communicate. They are encouraged to highlight academic, extracurricular activities and achievements in the sport of dogs.

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be written by a GSPCA member. Letters from relatives of the applicant will not be considered. Letters should state why the writer believes the applicant should be considered for this scholarship.

Scholarship Payment

Upon receiving verification of enrollment from the college or university, and the signed agreement from the applicants, the GSPCA will issue funds payable and sent to the school (s) to establish a credit in the name of the student (s). *Please note: If, due to extenuating circumstances, the winner will not be attending a post secondary institute in the fall, the award may be delayed until the following January, after which, it will be forfeited.

Selection Committee

The GSPCA will establish a committee of three (3) people who are members in good standing of the GSPCA but not members of the Board of Directors of the GSPCA. One of these four will act as a non-voting administrator. This committee will be charged with receiving applications and selecting one and not more than two candidates annually based on their written qualifications. Applications will be mailed by the committee administrator in December of the prior year in which the student will be enrolling. Deadlines for receipt of completed applications shall be February 25th of the applicant’s senior high school year or of the applicant’s freshman college year. Applicants shall be notified by mail if they are selected or denied no later than May 1st of the senior year or freshman college year.