129th Alumni &
Heritage Association

Scholarship Program

A. Purpose:

The Educational Scholarship Program is intended to recognize and assist those 129th Rescue Wing (RQW) members whose individual efforts have demonstrated personal qualities that promote leadership excellence, service dedications, and which contribute to the Unit and the assigned mission.

B. Scholarship Committee:

The Association President will establish a Scholarship Committee composed of Association and Wing members.  The President will designate the chairperson.  A minimum of one Director will be a Committee member, along with the 129th RQW CCMS or the Command Chief's designated representative.

C.  Implementation:

Annually the Board, prior to the Scholarship Committee's December meeting, will establish the number and value of the scholarships to be awarded.

D.  Qualifications:

1. Unit members must have one year minimum 129th RQW service.  Unit members who are exceptional performers may receive waiver consideration.

2. Scholarship applicants are classified into two categories.  The categories are intended to establish award sequence.

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

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

3. Applicants being considered for a scholarship award shall have demonstrated the ability to perform their 129th 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.

4. 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 129th RQW unit mission and goals.  A current transcript, a statement of work in progress from the educational facility, or other evidence of program participation is required.

5. Applicants applying for a scholarship are required to submit with the application their squadron commander's or immediate commander's written endorsement.  This letter should describe the endorsement reason and a brief description of the individual's potential.

6. Scholarship awardees are limited to two (2) scholarship awards.  The scholarship committee may consider in exceptional situations waiving the limitation.

E.  Application Procedure:

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 129th AHA Educational Scholarship Application with endorsement letter and program participation evidence no later than the November drill.  Completed applications shall be submitted to the Scholarship Committee Chairperson or a designated representative.

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

   • Tenure in Unit.

   • Appropriate ranke requirement.

   • Completeness of individual personal interest questions.

   • Endorsement letter.

   • 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 to be incomplete may NOT be considered for a scholarship award.

F.  Review Procedure:

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

2. The 129th AHA Educational Scholarship Committee will conduct a December meeting to review and qualify applicants.  Applications found to be deficient will be returned for correction.  At the discretion of the committee, applicants will have until the January drill weekend to resubmit corrected applications.

3. The 129th AHA Educational Scholarship Committee will conduct a January meeting and will formulate scholarship award recommendations authorized by the Board of Directors.

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 until all the authorized scholarships are awarded.

5. The Educational Scholarship Chairperson will present the Committee's recommended scholarship awardees for Board of Director review and concurrence.

G. Formal Award Presentation:

The 129th AHA 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 annually in March.