ECAHRO Scholarship Requirements

Funding for this scholarship will only be applied as follows:

1. The applicant must enroll in an accredited school of higher learning, meaning a community college, university, vocational school, or technical school in the United States. This one-time scholarship will be sent directly to the school of higher learning you are enrolled in. The funds may be used for tuition, books, and room & board costs.
2. If the student does not attend or utilize the scholarship or part thereof, the scholarship will be refunded to ECAHRO.

Requirements

1. All required information will be submitted in original form.
2. All required information must be typewritten.
3. All required information should be returned to the applicant's Housing Authority.

Required Information

1. One letter from a School Official, Principal, Teacher, or Guidance Counselor
   Briefly describe your (student) work ethic while in school.
   
   
2. One letter from the sponsoring Housing Authority outlining their reasons for selecting the applicant to compete for this scholarship.
   
   
3. Two letters from two different individuals in the community not related to you such as your minister, employer, youth director, coach, lawyer or a business person or other professional person, dictating your character outside of a school setting.
   
   
4. Certified Copy of your current transcript from your High School or alternative school of higher learning.
   
   
5. An Essay containing a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 400 words (must be typewritten) describing your experience living in assisted housing and how it has contributed to your ambitions, goals, and what you would hope to contribute to society through obtaining a higher education.
   
   
6. One proper photo (digital or photo paper) suitable for publication. No Photo Copies Please

Checklist

All items listed below are required for a completed application:

• Completed Application
• Letter from school official
• Letter from Housing authority
• Two (2) Reference Letters
• Certified School Transcript
• Essay (200-400 Words)
• Photo

Program Guidelines

1. Purpose and Scope 
   These guidelines are intended to cover the operations of the ECAHRO Scholarship program. Through this program, ECAHRO will provide scholarship funding to support the educational pursuits of deserving residents of assisted housing administered or managed by a Public Housing Authority. It is recognized that this endeavor directly supports the shared objective of enhancing mobility and improving assisted housing residents' quality of life.
   
   
2. Funding Amounts 
   The members of ECAHRO will establish annual funding for the Scholarship Program through the budget process and by voting at regular business meetings. The ECAHRO Scholarship Committee may seek additional and alternative funding sources in addition to ECAHRO Funding. All additional funding for this purpose will be earmarked for scholarships.
   
   
3. State Eligibility 
   Each dues-paying active Public Housing Authority member will be eligible for participation in the scholarship program, provided the Authority indicates its willingness to adhere to the adopted program guidelines.
   
   
4. Student Eligibility
   

   The Scholarship Program intends to serve residents of publicly assisted housing through members of the Public Housing Authorities. An eligible recipient must be an immediate family member who resides in publicly assisted housing.
   
   

5.  Recipient Selection
   The Following will be accomplished at a minimum by ECAHRO:

    

   1. Fully promote the availability of the program;
      
      
   2. Establish a system of administration within ECAHRO, which uses its designated scholarship committee;
      
      
   3. Judge candidates based on academic achievement, GPA of 2.5 or higher, extracurricular activities, and education/career goals;
      
      
   4. Does not discriminate in any way based on race, sex, age, or other factors not relevant to the primary program objectives;
      
      
   5. Scholarship selection will be made annually, with a maximum of twice (2) a year.
      
      
6. Funding Method, Reporting, and Maintenance of Eligibility
   1. ECAHRO funding will be utilized to provide annual support for selected applicants.
      
      
   2. To maintain eligibility, a recipient must maintain a passing grade acceptable to the university, college, vocational/technical, or business school in which the recipient is enrolled.
      
      
   3. Only recognized accredited institutions of higher education may be utilized.
      
      
   4. Public Housing Authorities are requested to encourage candidates to apply for scholarships.
      
      
   5. Upon final selection and approval, the Scholarship Committee will submit a Request for Scholarship Funding to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Eastern Carolina Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. This should be done 45-60 days before the Fall or Spring semester begins. The Scholarship Committee will request that a direct payment be made to the named program/institution of higher learning.
      
      
7. Publicity
   Participating Public Housing Authorities will agree to take appropriate steps to publicize the Scholarship program. This may be done locally, including Eastern Carolina housing authorities and educational, vocational, and technical institutions.