Requirements

The KGASF has established two deadlines each year for accepting scholarship applications: May 15 and October 15 of each year. The May 15 deadline is intended to give time for our Scholarship Committee to consider applications, inform applicants whether they will be given an award, and allow time for the applicant to make plans for either an academic or a training program.  

At least two letters of recommendation are required before an application is considered complete.

In addition to the application and supporting documents, two letters of recommendation (listed below) must be submitted for each applicant. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender.

1. Tribal, or First Nations Letter of Recommendation: One of the letters must be from a person who has worked with, supported, or mentored the applicant within a Tribal, First Nation setting (e.g., Tribal or First Nation Council Member, Leader of Tribal or First National Cultural or Resource Affairs, etc.).
2. Teacher, Counselor, Professor Letter of Recommendation: The other letter of recommendation should come from a teacher, professor, academic counselor, or someone who has worked closely with the applicant and can attest to their academic abilities and past aptitude in learning.

Letters of recommendation will NOT be considered if they are from parents, siblings, guardians, or other close relatives.

Applicants should keep in mind the following when asking someone to write a letter of recommendation: the person writing the letter of recommendation should be aware of or familiar with:

• Your educational and/or career goals, and/or
• Your extracurricular activities or involvement, and/or
• Your employment history, and/or
• Your interest in aquaculture, natural resources, and/or
• Your commitment to Tribal/First Nation economic well-being.

Application Instructions

To be considered, applicants must submit ALL of the following items via email to: scholarshipapplications@kurtgrinnellscholarship.org

1. A completed application form and completion of the required essays (download here). File name must match the format: [last name]_[first name]_application.pdf
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae. File name must match the format: [last name]_[first name]_resume.pdf
3. An enrollment verification. This can be a photo of a student ID card if a photo is included on the card, or a transcript confirming current enrollment. For incoming students, a copy of a letter of acceptance from a college, university, community college, or trade or technical institution. File name must match the format: [last name]_[first name]_enrollmentverification.pdf
4. A copy of high school, undergraduate, and/or graduate transcripts, depending on current enrollment. File name must match the format: [last name]_[first name]_transcripts.pdf
5. Proof of U.S. Tribal or Canada First Nation citizenship or a proof of status. This can be a photo of a Tribal or First Nation ID card, Indian Status card, or Treaty Indian Card, or a letter on Tribal, Nation, or Corporation letterhead confirming membership or citizenship. File name must match the format: [last name]_[first name]_proofofenrollment.pdf

Letter of Recommendation Instructions

Recommenders must submit their letter of recommendation via email to: lettersofrecommendation@kurtgrinnellscholarship.org

Your letter of recommendation will be kept confidential.

1. If possible, please submit the letter of recommendation on your organization’s letterhead.
2. In your letter, you must include the applicant’s full name so that we can match your letter to the applicant.
3. The letter of recommendation should address the following:
   1. The specific context (e.g., teacher, professor, counselor, First Nation Council Member, Tribal or First Nation leader) in which you have known the applicant and for how long.
   2. Your knowledge of the applicant’s interest in aquaculture and/or natural resources.
   3. Your insight or comments on the applicant’s career goals.
   4. The applicant’s strengths and weaknesses
   5. Any other information you believe will help evaluate the applicant’s qualifications or help us in evaluating the applicant.
4. When completed, sign the letter of recommendation, and please include your name, title (if any) or area of responsibility as well as a phone number and email.
5. Submit the letter of recommendation in PDF format to: lettersofrecommendation@kurtgrinnellscholarship.org. File name must match the format: [applicant last name]_[applicant first name]_LOR_[recommender last name]_[recommender first name].pdf

Evaluation of Applications and Other Information

Please send any questions to: applicationquestions@kurtgrinnellscholarship.org

Completed Application Submissions:  Applicants and recommenders will be notified by email of their successful application or recommendation submissions.

Selection of Award Recipients: The selection of award recipients and the final award amount is completely within the discretion of the Board of the KGASF or the Selection Committee of the KGASF.

Applications will be evaluated by the KGASF Scholarship Committee, and recipients may be selected based on academic performance, employment history, including but not limited to grades, resumes, letters of recommendation, essay responses, and financial need. The number of awards and the dollar amount of awards are completely within the discretion of the Board of the KGASF.

Timing of Awards: Scholarship awards for the fall academic period will be selected by the KGASF Board of Directors in June of each year. The KGASF Directors will also consider making awards after the October 15 deadline and will attempt to notify all applicants and awardees in November of each year. Applications will be based on criteria set forth above.

Transfer of Funds: The KGASF will send checks or wire transfer to: (a) the institution where the applicant is enrolled or plans to enroll or (b) directly to the award recipient to be used for such things as books, computers, software, housing, transportation, etc.

Students receiving scholarships are responsible for any local, tribal, state, or federal tax reporting requirements.

Applicants who are awarded scholarships agree to submit their photograph to the KGASF and to allow the KGASF to provide members of the press information on the scholarship award including posting on the KGASF website or other social media platforms.