RISPA Minority Scholarship

The Rhode Island School Psychologists Association Minority Scholarship Program was established in 2005 to provide financial assistance to minority scholars pursuing graduate study in school psychology. Rhode Island students attending graduate programs in Rhode Island and out of state are eligible. Out of state students attending graduate school in RI may also apply.  This scholarship program also supports the more profound goal of encouraging and promoting diversity within the profession so as to best serve a diverse community of elementary, middle, and high school students.  The Rhode Island School Psychologists Association annually awards $2,000 to a qualified minority graduate student of school psychology.

Currently, there are 3 members of the RISPA Scholarship Committee: Marilyn Kelley, chairperson; Liz A'Vant and Nina Pinnock.  Each fall the school psychology graduate programs at Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island are notified about the scholarship. An announcement is also made through the RISPA Newsletter and RISPA website. The Committee meets once in January to review the applications and apply a rubric to determine that year's scholarship recipient(s).  The Committee notifies the winner, writes a brief personal history for the Newsletter, and plans a celebration to present the award to the recipient.  An announcement and photograph of the award recipient is carried in the RISPA newsletter.

Rhode Island School Psychology - 2012  Minority Scholarship Program

 Scholarship Application Form

Application Deadline: Monday January 30, 2012

 The Rhode Island School Psychology Minority Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance to minority

scholars pursuing graduate study in school both in Rhode Island graduate programs as well as out of state programs. Out of

state students attending school in RI may also apply.  This scholarship program also supports the more profound goal of

encouraging and promoting diversity within the profession so as to best serve a diverse community of elementary, middle,

and high school students.  The Rhode Island School Psychology Association is pleased to annually award a minimum of $2,000

to at least one or two qualified and select minority graduate students of school psychology.

(Please print clearly in ink or type)

Current Address (School): ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Permanent Address:  _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number(s): Home:_____________________________   Cell: __________________________ E-Mail:_________________________

Ethnic Background (please check one):

 _____ Black/African American                                 _____ Asian or Pacific Islander

_____ American Indian or Alaskan Native                  _____ Hispanic                              _____  Other ______________________

Parents' Race/Ethnicity:  Mother____________________________________                Father ____________________________

Country where you were born ­­­­______________________________________

Date of Birth _________________________________________

Are you multi-lingual:     ____Y            ___N

Languages spoken fluently: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you lived outside of the US?  _____    Location ________________  Months _____ Yrs______

Previous Schools Attended:                                                               City/State/Country:                                  Year Graduated

Undergraduate: __________________________________         ______________________________                    ____________

High School:   ____________________________________        ______________________________                    ____________

Description of Work Experiences:

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volunteer Work Experiences: 

Describe activities that you are or have been involved in and what you do to give back to the community:

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Organizations affiliated with: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Awards/Recognition: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NAME OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CURRENTLY ATTENDING  ___________________________________________________________________

 ADDRESS   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip + 4 digits _______________________________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPECTED DATE OF GRADUATION        __________________________________________

I, __________________________________________________, hereby certify that ____________________________________________

         (Name of advisor)                                                                                                (Name of applicant)

has been accepted or is currently enrolled in the __________________________________________ School Psychology program.

                                                                                    (Name of university)

ADVISOR’S SIGNATURE   __________________________________________________________ Date ____________________

ADVISOR’S E-MAIL        ___________________________________________________________________

For consideration by the person submitting a Letter of Recommendation on behalf of the

Applicant: ______________________________________

The Rhode Island School Psychology Minority Scholarship Program awards scholarships to RI minority/bi-lingual students

(including RI residents attending out of state graduate programs) and out of state residents enrolled in school psychology

programs in Rhode Island. The student whose name appears above is applying for this scholarship. The Selection Committee

would appreciate your help as they consider his/her application. In your recommendation, please respond to the following

points as fully as you can, limiting your letter to 1,000 words:

1. How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?

2. What are the applicant’s strengths and special talents?

3. One of the criteria that this applicant must meet is interest in pursuing and/or continuing to

pursue a degree and a career in school psychology. Please give your assessment of the

applicant’s interest in this area.

4. Please give your assessment of the applicant’s interpersonal skills for working with students,

parents, school staff, and outside agencies.

Please return your recommendation letter directly to the student who will include it in his/her

application package. Do not send your recommendation to RISPA.

Applicant Release

IMPORTANT: Print one Release for each Recommendation.

For completion by the Applicant:

An originally signed copy of this release must accompany EACH Letter of Recommendation

submitted in the application package. Please make copies of this page and complete for each

Letter of Recommendation you submit.

I, _____________________________________, hereby authorize the person writing this Letter

(Applicant’s name)

of Recommendation (__________________________________) to release any and all

(Name of person)

information called for on this form to the RISPA Minority Scholarship Program.

______________________________________          ___________________________________

Applicant Signature                                                     Date

Essay:

1.  No more than 2 pages, double-spaced

1. Please describe how your life experiences have influenced your decision

to enter the field of school psychology.  In addition, relate how your

life, work, and educational experiences will assist you in working and

relating to multi-cultural students and families.

Application Requirements:

1. Must be a matriculated student in a Program of School Psychology/Educational Psychology
2. This completed application
3. Essay
4. Three (3) letters of recommendation (2 from professors)
5. Official graduate transcripts
6. Copy of financial aid application. If you did not apply for financial aid write a brief statement outlining your financial need.
7. Application must be complete and submitted by designated date.

Verification of Application

I hereby certify that the information contained within this application is accurate and true. Any false information

will invalidate this application.

Applicant Signature   ______________________________________________________________Date: ____________________

PLEASE FORWARD APPLICATION AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION TO THE

ADDRESS LISTED BELOW BY JANUARY 23, 2010.

Marilyn Kelley

RISPA Minority Scholarship

44 Top Hill Rd

Saunderstown, RI 02874

(e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

fax:401.295.1209  attn: Marilyn

Deadline

Application and supporting documentation must be received by Monday January 24, 2011 to be considered.

The RISPA Minority Scholarship Program was established to curtail the financial burdens associated with an extended academic career,

and ultimately infuse the profession with a needed presence of diversity and cultural awareness. RISPA supports our minority

students on their path to becoming a member of this worthwhile and giving profession.