Scholarship Description

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTION

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who resides in the Oberlin City School District and is able to demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants do not need to attend Oberlin High School. Other schools and home-schooling are equally acceptable, if the applicant lives in the Oberlin City School District.
Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 based on a 4-point scale.
Students must submit one letter of recommendation with the scholarship application. A letter from a family member or Scholarship Selection Committee member is not acceptable.
Applicants must complete the FAFSA and obtain a Student Aid Report (SAR). A copy of the SAR must be included with the application. Students must demonstrate financial need in order to be awarded scholarships. Applicants are urged to be careful to complete the FAFSA accurately. To complete the FAFSA on-line, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Relatives of scholarship selection committee members are not eligible to apply.

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It is recommended that students be taking or have passed, as a minimum, the courses in the core curriculum as established by the Ohio Board of Regents. (English – 4 credits; Mathematics – 3 credits; Science - 3 credits; Social Studies – 3 credits; Foreign Language – 2 credits; The Arts – 1 credit).

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed by the entire RNJCSF board.
Applicants are interviewed by a subcommittee of the board. Applicants are required to bring financial awards letters to the interview.
Final selections are made by the entire RNJCSF board, which will, consider character qualities such as determination, positive attitude, desire to improve oneself, communication, leadership, and community service.

SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENT POLICY

Students must enter, on a full-time basis, a regionally accredited 2 or 4 year college/university or vocational/technical school that is eligible to participate in Title IV Student Aid Programs of the U.S. Department of Education. Students will forfeit their scholarships if they transfer to non-accredited institutions.
If a student misses more than two consecutive terms, his or her scholarship will be forfeited. If a student misses one term, they must notify the Ruby N. Jones Community Scholarship Fund in writing before the end of that term explaining why they are missing that term. In order to continue receiving the scholarship funds for any subsequent terms, they must present documentation verifying enrollment as specified in the RNJCSF rules/bylaws. Students may appeal forfeiture of their scholarship by sending a letter or email to the RNJCSF board within 30 business days from the date of notification of forfeiture explaining the circumstances of their withdrawal from school. For good cause shown, students may be reinstated by simple majority vote of the RNJCSF board.
Scholarships will be renewable as long as the student remains enrolled full-time and funds are available. If the student receives financial assistance from the college in which he/she enrolls, the scholarship will be administered according to the regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. If a student's financial need as determined by the FAFSA is exceeded by receipt of the award, the college will be required to reduce the student’s loan or work-study expectation.