The Unicycling Society of America Scholarship is an annually awarded scholarship given to students who demonstrate high achievement at national and international competitions and/or leadership in developing and growing the sport of unicycling.
A copy of the USA Scholarship Application form can be obtained here. Please note that this form is the 2011 version of the application. The 2012 form will probably not be available until shortly before NAUCC 2012. Although the questions will most likely be similar, we cannot guarantee that they will be the same.
FAQs
These answers represent the current collective opinion of the scholarship committee. Please note that the scholarship selection process is an evolving process and these answers are not set in stone. Anyone who feels they deserve a scholarship regardless of the following is encouraged to discuss their situation with a member of the scholarship committee.
Q. How much is the scholarship and how many will be awarded?
A. The number of scholarships and the amount awarded could vary depending on the applicant pool and the amount of money donated. In all likelihood, not all applicants will receive a scholarship. We expect to award several $1000 scholarships to first time recipients. The committee may also decide to award one or more $500 scholarships to a prior year’s recipient. $1000 scholarships will be dispersed in two payments with the second $500 payment after successful completion of a semester and registration for the next.
Q. Who is on the scholarship committee?
A. The committee consists of a subset of major donors or their representatives and others that they choose to seek advice from. Some have expressed that the committee has gotten too large, so we may be less inclusive this year. The committee is currently headed by Bill Gilbertson. Bill currently serves at the pleasure of the USA officers.
Q. Can I be on the committee?
You can ask to be on the committee. Most committee members have made a sizeable donation either individually or as part of an organization. The committee may seek the advice of others as they feel necessary. If you feel that there is a void in representation of a certain aspect of unicycling in the committee, please discuss with Bill or the USA president.
Q. Is the scholarship only for new high school grads?
A. No, the scholarship is primarily available for the first four years of college. Applicants must have completed high school or have a GED.
Q. Is the scholarship available for post-graduate work?
A. We will consider applications for post graduate work. However, this is a lower priority use of our limited funds. The scholarship committee feels that graduate students have other means of funding available to them.
Q: I plan to attend a 2-year college, can I use the scholarship for that?
A: Yes
Q: I plan to attend a technical school or other kind of school, can I use the scholarship for that?
A: The scholarship committee will consider it.
Q: Is the scholarship only available to high academic achievers?
A: No. We value college-level education regardless of your prior academic excellence. If you are accepted to a college or university, we wish you great success.
Q: Do I have to attend NAUCC to receive a scholarship? I can’t attend this year.
A: Yes. Scholarships will only be awarded to those attending this year’s NAUCC. If you can’t attend this year, you are welcome to apply in a later year.
Q. Where does the money come from?
A. The scholarship is funded by private, club, and company donations. There is no magic pot of money. We encourage others to be a part of this giving community. People like you. A list of donors will be posted at NAUCC.
Q. Why should I give?
A. Many of us received scholarships when we attended college. In most cases, this is money well invested. Consider paying back what you got. We are the only group trying to improve the recognition of unicycling as sport and art via this means. We need you.
Q. What kind of person are you looking to award a scholarship to?
A. Our intent is to recognize and encourage leadership, excellence, and achievement. Involvement beyond a personal level is a prerequisite. We expect applicants to be currently actively involved in the unicycling community. Recipients are respected by and involved with their peers. Transformational leaders, those who redefine our sport, are particularly appreciated. These attributes are weighed by the scholarship committee as we evaluate applications. The scholarship is intended to encourage and reward continuing participation and contributions while in college.
Q. Does an applicant have to be from the United States?
A. No, the USA is a North American organization.
Q. Is there a financial needs-based test?
A. No. Financial need may or may not be considered during the selection process.
Q: Are the standards different for repeat award candidates?
A: Yes, repeat award candidates are expected to show an increased leadership role in furthering the sport of unicycling.
Q: I decided to not attend college as I planned. Do I get to keep the scholarship?
A: Please consider the limiting effect this may have on your future career choices. If you do not attend a college as planned, you must return the scholarship.
Q: I am the best unicyclist from the middle of nowhere. There are no unicycle clubs here; can I still get a scholarship?
A: Yes, you can still qualify. We expect you to show leadership and make contributions to the sport in other ways.
Q: What can I do to improve my chances at earning a scholarship?
A: There are many ways you can contribute to our sport. These could include assisting other riders in learning skills, helping with unicycling events, performing, creating videos, or participating in discussion forums. If you are part of a club, ask your leader how you can help. Volunteer to help at NAUCC & Unicon. Run a workshop. Lastly, spend some time constructing a quality scholarship application package. Have a good set of supporting material including recommendations and references, newspaper or web articles or videos, or any promotional material you may have produced.
Q: Has any progress been made separating the scholarship fund from the USA?
A: Not yet. I believe the scholarship fund should be separated from the USA. I would like to see an organization with an expanded scope as funds become available. This could be set up as a “trust fund”. I think this will help if we find donors who may wish to leave us money as part of their estate.
Q: Can I get a copy of a financial report of the scholarship fund?
A: Yes, a summary financial report is freely available. A complete report with donor names and amounts donated is available on a need-to-know basis. The complete report is supplied annually to the USA President and USA Treasurer.