Georgia Association of Water Professionals Scholarships

The Georgia Association of Water Professionals maintains three separate scholarship funds and awards seven scholarships each year. Each of these funds is intended to assist deserving students in their further training and education after high school. The Scholarship Committee of GAWP administers the scholarship program. Applications will be evaluated based upon criteria approved by the GAWP Board of Directors. The criteria include membership in GAWP (except for the H2Opportunity Undergraduate and Philip R. Karr Scholarships), scholastic record, extracurricular activities, and, in the case of the H2Opportunity Undergraduate and Philip R. Karr Scholarships, a brief essay.

GAWP’S GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

GAWP’s General Scholarship Fund was established in the mid-1980s for the purpose of assisting deserving members of GAWP and their children in furthering their education. Annually, GAWP will award four $2,000 scholarships from this fund, as described below.

GAWP’S UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

GAWP’s Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $2,000 per year, and is renewable for up to three years, contingent upon the student meeting established renewal criteria. Requirements for eligibility for this scholarship are as follows:

• Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian shall hold an active, individual membership in GAWP.
• Applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited high school, or demonstrate that graduation will occur before August 1 of the initial award year.
• Scholarship funds shall be used to assist in the cost of a full-time undergraduate education or training program in a recognized university, community college, junior college, technical training school, etc. There is no restriction with regard to the course of study that must be followed by the applicant.

GAWP’S FRONTLINE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

In 2005, GAWP created the Frontline Undergraduate Scholarship for the frontline workers in our industry and their children. Frontline workers include non-management positions such as operators, superintendents, laboratory technicians, customer service specialists, CAD operators, etc., but would exclude management positions such as engineers, division managers, department managers, utility directors, and corporate officers. These job titles are listed as examples of non-management and management positions. It is possible that some small utility personnel may have one of these “management” job titles yet not be in a management position, as such those employees and their children would be eligible for this scholarship. 
 

Eligibility for the Frontline Undergraduate Scholarship is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. (Applicants for this scholarship are also eligible to apply for GAWP’s Undergraduate Scholarship if they or their parent/guardians are individual members of GAWP.) This scholarship is renewable for up to three years, contingent upon the student meeting established renewal criteria. One Frontline Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded annually, and the annual award amount is $2,000. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years, contingent upon the student meeting established renewal criteria. Requirements for eligibility for the Frontline Undergraduate Scholarship are as follows:

• Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian shall be an employee of a GAWP Utility or Corporate Member, or applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian shall hold an active, individual membership in GAWP.
• Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian shall be in a non-management, non-engineering position. Applicant shall provide a short description of this position.
• Applicant is encouraged to submit a recommendation from a representative of the Utility or Corporate Member stating why this employee or this employee’s son or daughter should be considered for this scholarship.
• Applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited high school, or demonstrate that graduation will occur before August 1 of the initial award year.
• Scholarship funds shall be used to assist in the cost of a full-time undergraduate education or training program in a recognized university, community college, junior college, technical training school, etc. There is no restriction with regard to the course of study that must be followed by the applicant.

GAWP’S GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

In 2003, GAWP established a Graduate Scholarship for graduate students only. This scholarship is a $2,000 award and is nonrenewable, but recipients may compete for the scholarship in subsequent years. Requirements for eligibility are as follows:

• Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian shall hold an active, individual membership in GAWP.
• Applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited college or university, or demonstrate that graduation will occur before August 1 of the initial award year.
• Scholarship funds shall be used to assist in the cost of a full-time education in a recognized college or university graduate program. There is no restriction with regard to the course of study that must be followed by the applicant.
• Selection criteria shall be based on applicants’ college credentials (e.g. Grade Point Average).

GAWP’S H2OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

In 2008, GAWP established the H2Opportunity Scholarship for undergraduate students who enter a field of study leading to a career in the water profession. This scholarship is a $2,000 award and is non-renewable, but recipients may compete for the scholarship in subsequent years. The recipient will be expected to participate in at least one GAWP-sponsored event. 
Requirements for eligibility for this scholarship are as follows:

• There is no membership requirement for this scholarship. For applicants not attending a four-year program, SAT/ACT scores are not required.
• Applicant shall be a graduate of an accredited high school, or demonstrate that graduation will occur before August 1 of the initial award year.
• Work experience or an internship in a water-related field is recommended, but not required.
• Applicant shall be a resident of Georgia, or entering or attending a college, university or training school located in Georgia.
• Scholarship funds shall be used to assist in the cost of a full-time undergraduate education or training program in a recognized university, community college, junior college, technical training school, etc. This scholarship is to be awarded for studies leading to a career in the water profession.
• A short essay (not to exceed 1,500 words) is required. The essay is to cover the applicant’s interest in, and intended course of studies leading to, a career in the water profession, including technical trades.