129^th Alumni & Heritage Association
Scholarship Program

A.  Purpose:

The 129th Alumni & Heritage Association provides Educational Scholarships to individuals in the following categories:

1.      Category A - Applicants who hold a military rank of E-3 (A1C) to E-6 (TSgt). 

2.      Category B - Applicants who hold a military rank of E-7 (MSgt) to E-9 (CMSgt) 

3.      Category C – Dependents of current 129th RQW members who are pursuing an academic degree or a Technical certification and meet the prerequisites enumerated in Section B - Qualifications.  

B.  Qualifications:

129^th  Alumni & Heritage Association Educational Scholarship applicants shall satisfy the following criteria:

1.    Category A - Applicants shall hold a military rank of E3 (A1C) to E6 (TSgt) and have served a minimum of two (2) years as a member of the 129^th RQW at scholarship presentation.  

2.   Category B - Applicants shall hold a military rank of E-7 (MSgt) to E-9                    (CMSgt), and have  served a  minimum of two (2) years as a member of the  129^th RQW at scholarship presentation. Applicants must have a demonstrated need for financial assistance.

3.      Category C - Military dependent applicants whose sponsor has served a        minimum of two years as a member of the 129th Rescue Wing at scholarship  presentation.  

4. Applicants being considered for a scholarship award shall have demonstrated the ability to perform their 129^th RQW duties with a selfless effort that demonstrates a maturity and commitment to the Unit goals and the Air National Guard and Air Force mission. Not applicable for military dependent applicants.  

5.   129th Rescue Wing member applicants shall be currently enrolled in an educational program whose goal is an academic degree or certification in a subject matter, which will enhance the applicant’s ability to support the 129^th RQW unit mission and goals. Not applicable for military dependent applicants.  

6.    A current transcript, a statement of work in progress from the educational facility or other evidence of program participation is required for all applicants.  

7.    Member applicants applying for a scholarship are required to submit with the application, their squadron commander or immediate commander’s written endorsement. This letter should describe the endorsement reason and brief description of the individual’s future potential. Military dependent applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation with their application. Military dependent applicants will also be interviewed by a Scholarship Committee member.  

C.  Application Procedures::

The application process for receipt of a scholarship is as follows:

1. The annual application period is the March drill weekend through the November drill weekend.

2.   Submit the applicable 129^th Alumni & Heritage Association Military Member  Scholarship Application or Military Dependent  Scholarship Application with endorsement letter and program participation evidence no later than the November drill. Completed applications shall be submitted to the 129^th Alumni & Heritage Association Scholarship Chair, Lt Col Cynthia Kepple, or mail the applications to her at: 2221 Walnut Grove Ave., San Jose, CA 95128-1241.

3.   Completed applications should be carefully reviewed prior to submittal. Pay particular attention to:

a.       Tenure in Unit.

b.      Appropriate rank requirement.

c.       Completeness of individual personal interest questions.

d.      Endorsement letter.

e.       Transcript certificate of work in progress or other evidence of active program participation.  

NOTE: Because the scholarship is a “once a year” grant, applications that are submitted after the application cut-off date or are found incomplete may NOT be considered for a scholarship award.

D.  Review Procedures:

1.      Completed applications may be submitted at anytime during the application period to Lt Col Cynthia Kepple, the Scholarship Chair.  She will review all applications for completeness. Deficient applications will be returned for correction. Applications maybe resubmitted at any time but no later than the November drill weekend.

2.  The 129^th Alumni & Heritage Association Educational Scholarship Committee will meet in December to review and qualify applicants. Applications found to be deficient will be returned for correction. These applications must be returned no later than the January drill weekend.  

3.  The 129^th Alumni & Heritage Association Educational Scholarship Committee will meet in January and will be responsible for determining the scholarship recipient(s) authorized by the 129^th AHA Executive Board. 

4.      The qualified Category A applicants will be considered first. If there are insufficient qualified Category A applicants the Committee will proceed to consider qualified Category B applicants and then to Category C until all the authorized scholarships are awarded.  

5.  The Educational Scholarship Chair will advise the Board of Directors regarding the recommended awardee(s) and obtain Board concurrence.  

E.  Formal Award Presentation:

The 129^th  Alumni & Heritage Association  Educational Scholarship and Recognition Certificate presentation, to each recipient, is scheduled for the Alumni Association annual membership meeting. This meeting is commonly referred to as “The Old Timers’ Luncheon” and is customarily scheduled in March.

Other Information:

Note: The following web site provides general information on applying for college scholarships and is not related to the 129th AHA Scholarship program.  http://www.scholarshiphelp.org