Interdenominational Alliance of Ministers’ Wives And

Ministers’ Widows of Greater Columbia

Scholarship Guidelines
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
1. High school graduates who reside in Richland and Lexington counties in the state of
South Carolina.

2. High school seniors who have been accepted to a post-secondary institution, and have
at least one year of documented involvement in Sunday School, church ministries and other
Youth Department activities at the time of application. (Some examples might include the
choir, usher, hospitality team, praise dancers, etc.)

3. Applicants must submit all required documentation: application, typed essay, letter of
acceptance, SAT or ACT score, official GPA transcript and forms verifying participation in
church ministries and activities.

4. Applicants must mail all application materials in a sealed envelope to Post Office Box
831, Columbia, S.C. 29202 and be postmarked no later than May 20, 2011.

The Selection Criteria

1. The applicant must earn a high school diploma and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or
greater.

2. The applicant must submit one letter of recommendation signed by a ministry leader who
is familiar with the individual’s participation that shows consistent participation in church
activities/auxiliaries.

3. The applicant must submit a typed essay on the benefits of receiving the Scholarship
from IAMWMW, and how the scholarship will be beneficial to you in obtaining your degree. It
must also include your career goals and specific contributions you plan to make to the
community and church after completing your degree. It must be well written and
demonstrate an understanding of grammar, syntax and the overall mechanics/format of an
essay. Essays will be evaluated according to these categories: usage and mechanics, clarity
and coherence, adherence to subject, and inclusion of adequate details.

4. The applicant must be seeking a degree and enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credit
hours from a post-secondary institution. A letter of acceptance must be submitted. The
Scholarship does not pay for Continuing Education classes.

5. The scholarship is a one (1) time award of five hundred ($500) dollars. Delayed entry
into college after high school forfeits the scholarship.
A complete application packet must include the following:
1. The scholarship application with all sections completed
2. An official copy of your high school transcript and an official copy of your SAT/ACT
Score
3. A letter of recommendation that documents the applicant’s level of participation and
involvement in church/youth department activities. The letter must be written by the
leader of the auxiliary in which the applicant is active.
4. A typed essay
5. A letter of acceptance from a post-secondary institution
Scholarship Application Page 1 of 2

Please complete the entire application. Type or print information using blue or black
ink. All questions must be answered for the application to be considered for the
scholarship.

Last Name First Name MI

Street Address Apt/Lot

City State Zip

( ) ( )
Home Phone Cell or Alternate Phone
Apt/Lot

County in which you reside:

_______________________

Please answer the following:

1. Have you been accepted by an accredited institution?  Yes  No

If yes, please list the institution(s).

2. List the name and address of the institution you plan to attend this fall.

Name of Institution

City State Zip

Scholarship Application Page 2 of 2

3. List the community organizations/activities that you are a member of or have

participated in. Include the letter from the organization detailing your involvement.

4. List the church ministries/activities that you are a member of or have participated in.
Include the letter from the Ministry Head detailing your involvement.

5. What is your SAT/ ACT score________________?

6. What is your GPA ____________________?

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS APPLICATION

IS TRUE AND CORRECT.

Applicant Signature Date

Application Deadline: Friday, May 20, 2011

Submit to: IAMWMW Scholarship

Post Office Box 831
Columbia, S.C. 29202

ALL APPLICATIONS, COMPLETED IN ENTIRETY, AND ALL

REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE
POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN
May 20, 2011

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicant Checklist

Thank you for applying for a scholarship offered by IAMWMW of Greater Columbia.

Please complete the checklist below, to be certain that you have submitted all required
materials.

 Completed application WITH signature

 Letter of recommendation from the Ministry Leader indicating your consistent

participation in church activities, including length of time

 Letter of acceptance to an institution of higher learning

 Typed essay that is consistent with the outlined requirements.

 An official copy of your high school transcript

 An official copy of your SAT/ACT Scores

Please include this form with your application materials.

I have submitted all required materials above as part of my scholarship submitted.

Applicant Signature Date