RSPA Scholarship Program

Please complete and submit the following application, along with the materials listed below:

• Affidavit of member company ownership from the RSPA member – notary not required (Download here)
• Essay (Click here for essay instructions)
• A.C.T. or S.A.T. or graduate school entrance exam scores, if applicable (unless scores are included in transcripts). Scores must be from an official source. A screenshot of on-line scores is acceptable.
• Electronic high school transcript if applying as a high school senior (official transcript*)
• Electronic post-secondary transcript, if applying as a currently enrolled college student (most recent completed term included; official transcript*)
• Applicant photo: Please supply a current high-resolution jpg. The photo will be used solely for publicity purposes in the event you are awarded a scholarship.

* The official electronic transcript is PDF secured by a digital certificate, which is displayed at the top of the transcript.

Please submit all materials together, including the completed checklist at the end of the application. All file attachments MUST be named as follows: Applicant Last Name, Applicant First Name, Document.

• Example of acceptable document label for essay- Smith, Calvin, Essay.docx
• Example of unacceptable document label for essay – Scholarship Essay.docx

Attachments not labeled correctly will result in the application being returned.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring their materials are received by RSPA. Please do not send multiple submissions or submit from multiple email addresses. We will acknowledge receipt of materials; if you do not receive confirmation within 5 days of sending, please contact us at Scholarships@GoRSPA.org.

If you need to suspend completion of your application, use the "finish my application later" link at the bottom of the screen to save your progress.

Each applicant is required to submit a Scholarship Application Essay. This is a two-page, double-spaced paper, which cannot be handwritten. Submit your essay by uploading a text file with your other materials.

Please choose one of the following topics below for your essay:

1. Your job is to write a persuasive essay. Take a position on an issue of your choice; it could be of global importance or a personal problem. For example, you could discuss the immigration problem, your desire to get your parents’ permission to do something they don't want you to do, or reasons why you need a raise. The important part is that you must state your case while keeping in mind what your audience thinks. In other words, you need to disprove their arguments. Prove that you are right, and “they” are wrong.
2. Regardless of politics, we can all agree that we need to be kind to the earth. Discuss ways we can address this problem either personally, as a group or as a country. If you don’t believe there is a problem, take that position and explain and defend your opinion.

TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION: The essay should show original and serious thinking on the part of the applicant and should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to express those thoughts clearly and accurately. A third page may be added to cite sources if quotes, purported facts, etc. are used. The essay should be coherent; it should have a clear beginning, middle and end. Begin by introducing the topic and set forth the boundaries of the subject. Do not be vague or too expansive. Instead, be specific and well-disciplined. You may want to follow these steps in preparing your essay:

Outline your essay. Write a rough draft and review it by asking yourself such questions as: Is it clear? Are questions raised by this essay left unanswered? Is the topic clearly defined? Are the ideas well developed? Are the ideas concrete?

Finalize your essay, asking yourself these questions: Is this precise or too general? Is it concise or does it ramble? Have I used grammar properly? Is this essay persuasive? Are the quotes accurate? Are the facts valid? Are my thoughts and conclusions well organized?

• Application, completed and signed by the student
• Affidavit of member company (completed and signed by company leader)
• Essay
• A.C.T. or S.A.T. scores (if applicable)
• High school transcript (for rising freshmen only)
• Post-Secondary transcript (most recent completed term included)
• Applicant photo