By Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT
Contributing Editor
December 5, 2000
Everyone can probably relate to the fact that when it comes time for college, money becomes very scarce. Books have to be bought, tuition has to be paid, dorms and meal plans have to be purchased--the flow of money out of your wallet (or your parents') never ends. Well, I'm happy to provide some avenues that could alleviate some of those costs--maybe all of them--just because you proudly posses an Amateur Radio license!
Every year at about this time several large Amateur Radio clubs and foundations start accepting applications for academic scholarships available to Amateur Radio operators now in college or headed in that direction. If you're one of these students, I urge you to read the following information carefully, and act promptly.
There are two things that I, as a college student, would like to emphasize. First, please pay attention to the deadlines listed. Put them in your PC's calendar or write them on a calendar with a big red marker, and don't let them slip by! Second, apply for every one of the scholarships that you are eligible for. Education isn't cheap these days. Take advantage of the chance to have someone else help to pay for it.
Through the generosity of many individuals and Amateur Radio clubs, the ARRL Foundation offers at least 26 academic scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000. Each of these scholarships is "intended exclusively for educational use, to provide assistance with costs of tuition, room, board, books and/or other fees essential to the advanced education of the recipient."
All ARRL Foundation scholarships are listed on the ARRL Web site, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, the sponsoring club/individual and more. There's an application form you can print out to send to the ARRL Foundation for any of the scholarships offered. You must mail your completed application and transcripts to The ARRL Foundation Inc Scholarship Program, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
The postmark deadline for each year's ARRL Foundation Scholarships is February 1. There are no exceptions! For more information, contact the ARRL Foundation, foundation@arrl.org or 860-594-0230.
The Foundation for Amateur Radio administers 67 Amateur Radio-related scholarships sponsored by more than 28 ham clubs and individuals. These scholarships for the 2001-2002 academic year are available to all amateur radio operators pursuing a full-time course of study beyond high school and who are enrolled in or have been accepted for enrollment at an accredited university, college or technical school.
The scholarships range from $500 to $2500, with preference given in some cases to residents of specified geographical areas or in pursuit of certain study programs. For more information and an application form, send a letter or QSL card request postmarked before April 30, 2001 to FAR Scholarships, PO Box 831, Riverdale, MD 20738
Additional information is available on the FAR Web site, including a list of all of the clubs and individuals sponsoring scholarships.
The Dayton Amateur Radio Association now is accepting applications for its annual scholarships. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors in 2001 and hold a valid FCC Amateur Radio license of any class. The DARA scholarships are awarded in varying amounts up to $2000, as determined by the scholarship committee, and may be used for tuition at an institution of higher learning as outlined in the application. To obtain an application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to DARA Scholarships, 45 Cinnamon Ct, Springboro, OH 45066. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2001.
There are 93 DARA scholarships awaiting Amateur Radio applicants, so what are you waiting for? Visit the DARA Web site.
Don't wait until it's too late. Apply for these scholarships now! There is a lot of money out there to be awarded--and a fair amount of it has been reserved especially for entering/returning college students like you who happen to be Amateur Radio operators.
As promised in my last column, I would like to help promote what is, in my opinion, an excellent effort that invests time in Scouting to introduce its members to Amateur Radio.
ScoutRadio started in 1995 as a Boy Scouts of America "good turn project" by Assistant Scoutmaster Mel Goldberg, N6MEL, and the Scouts in Troop 319, based in Huntington Beach, California. The goal was to help Scouts and Scouters (these are adult volunteers over 18) to become hams by teaming up Amateur Radio operators at a local level. This led to the creation of the "ScoutElmer" Award.
ScoutElmers are Amateur Radio operators affiliated with Scouting whose purpose is to guide youth and adults in the right direction to getting their own license. These volunteers have elmered and helped to license more than 2500 Scouts and Scouters worldwide. At the top of the ScoutElmers list is Gordon West, WB6NOA, who has elmered more than 600 Scouts and Scouters in the last five years. His free Scout ham class is conducted once a year in Fountain Valley, California, and has been invaluable in introducing Amateur Radio to eager youth and adults.
To earn the ScoutElmer Award the following requirements must be satisfied:
1. Contact your local Boy/Girl Scout Council (see your local yellow pages).
2. Speak to a Scout group about how to become an Amateur Radio operator.
3. Teach an Amateur Radio class, or have your local ham radio club teach a class to Scouts.
ScoutRadio also facilitates many projects for the benefit of communities around the world as well as our hobby. Since 1995 ScoutRadio volunteers have provided extensive service, including: Helping at the US Hurricane Center, running ScoutRadio summer camp and stateside HF nets, providing HF communications in Egypt for humanitarian medical relief, organizing and participating in Jamboree On the Air, and more.
More than 250,000 hams in the US and 500,000 worldwide have been, involved in the Scouting movement, helping their communities in times of natural disasters, emergencies and humanitarian aid. I urge you and your local Amateur Radio club to help local Scouts and Scouters get into ham radio and keep Amateur Radio as a top-notch service that is willing to help wherever needed.
For more information about ScoutRadio, visit http://www.qsl.net/scoutradio.
Thanks to Mel Goldberg, N6MEL, for providing information about his fine group of enthusiastic volunteers.
That's a wrap for this edition. As always, I'm more than happy to consider any and all topic suggestions. E-mail me with your ideas. If you're reading this column, please drop me a note to say hello and introduce yourself.
I would like to wish one and all a very happy and safe holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a pleasant New Year! Until next time, get on the bands and do your best to show any youth you may know the wonderful world of Amateur Radio.
Editor's note: Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. A 21-year-old senior in electrical engineering at the University of New Mexico, Brian was the 1999 ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Award winner. He was first licensed in 1992 at age 12, holds a General license and now is studying for his Amateur Extra ticket. "I love Amateur Radio, and wish I could have gotten into the hobby sooner," he says. Brian enjoys many of the activities afforded by Amateur Radio, including CW, QRP CW, transmitter hunting, satellite operation, some digital modes, and, of course, just speaking into the microphone. Brian authored the "Youth Forum" column for Worldradio magazine for three years. He's a brother of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, as well as very active in the Boy Scouts of America as an assistant scoutmaster and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. Brian welcomes visitors to his Web site at http://www.swcp.com/~n5zgt.