About the Program:
SkyLine's Board of Directors established the SkyLine
Telephone Membership Corporation Scholarship in 1987 to offer
educational opportunities to deserving high school seniors
with limited means. The scholarship has been awarded to children
of SkyLine members who exhibit outstanding scholastic abilities
and motivation to continue their education. Annually, scholarships
are awarded to graduating high school seniors in each of the
five counties served by SkyLine: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga
and Johnson (TN).
In 1995, the Scholarship Program was renamed the Frank James-SkyLine
Telephone Scholarship as a lasting memorial to Mr. Frank James,
who had been a longtime director and president of the cooperative.
In addition to his tireless services to the causes of rural telephony,
the former educator and superintendent of Ashe County Schools
dedicated much of his life to promoting education. Also in 1995,
the program was expanded to include five $500 scholarships for
graduating high school seniors seeking a two-year community/technical
college degree.
The Board of Directors greatly enhanced the program again in
1999 to make the $1,000 College/University Scholarship annually
renewable for up to four years and the $500 Community/Technical
Scholarship annually renewable for up to two years. To receive
the full two- or four-year benefits of this scholarship, recipients
must maintain a minimum grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 and
must continue to be enrolled as a full-time student at their
respective college/university.
Eligibility:
Applicants must: |
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Be a student whose parents are full-time
residents in the SkyLine service area and have a membership
in good standing in the Cooperative for at least one year. |
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Attend a public high school in a county
served by SkyLine Membership Corporation. |
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Have qualified for entrance to a two-year
community or technical college for the Community/Technical
College Scholarship, or; |
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Have qualified for entrance to a four-year
college or university and have a minimum SAT score of 800
or a minimum ACT score of 19 for the College/University Scholarship. |
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Be of college caliber in the judgment
of their high school principal and counselor. |
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Provide to the guidance counselor only,
documentation exhibiting financial need. |
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Exhibit high scholastic achievement, leadership
qualities, and participation in school and community activities. |
How
to Apply:
Along with a completed scholarship application, please include the following: |
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Complete high school transcript, including the results
of all college entrance
exams. |
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Summary of applicants extracurricular activities. |
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Letter of application in the student's
own handwriting. |
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Letter of recommendation from the high
school principal, guidance counselor, or teacher. |
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Official information regarding other scholarship
awards the students has applied for or received. |
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Information demonstrating financial need. |
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Recent school photo to be used for publication.
(Please do not attach using staples or paper clips.) |
Application Packages are available at area
high school guidance departments and all SkyLine Customer
Service Centers in early March. |
| Award
Procedures: |
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After verification of eligibility, guidance
counselors or scholarship committees at each high school
screen applications and select two nominees for each of the
two- and four-year scholarships. |
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Prior to their interviews, nominees will
be invited to attend Scholar Visitation Day at SkyLine's offices in West Jefferson. The program will
highlight SkyLine's history, its role as a member-owned telecommunications
cooperative, and its involvement in the community. |
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Nominees will be interviewed individually
at SkyLine's Corporate Offices by the appropriate scholarship
committee. |
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Applicants will be notified of the committee's
decision and a public announcement of the recipients will
be made in June. A SkyLine representative will
recognize recipients at their school on awards day or at
graduation. |
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The official presentation of the scholarship
award will be made at the SkyLine Annual Meeting in October.
At the Annual Meeting, a check for half of the first-year
scholarship will be presented to the student made payable
to the college or university, along with a certificate and
letter. Participation in the Annual Meeting is required.
If the student's travel distance from college would present
a hardship, his or her parents would need to be present to
receive the award on behalf of their son or daughter. Failure
to attend the Annual Meeting and/or contact SkyLine could
result in the forfeiture of the scholarship. |
Questions: If you have questions
about the Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship Program,
please call SkyLine at 1-800-759-2226.
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