Lila M. Van Sweringen Student Scholarship

Mrs. Van Sweringen was a co-founder of EOPO and this scholarship was named in her honor. The student scholarship is available to all Ohio students who attend Ohio high schools and will be attending a post-secondary institution the fall after high school graduation.

ELIGIBILITY: This scholarship program is open to all Ohio residents who attend Ohio high schools or colleges and will be attending a post secondary institution during 2024-2025 academic year. The scholarship will be awarded to one who wishes to pursue an office-related career.

Mrs. Van Sweringen was a co-founder of EOPO and this scholarship was named in her honor. EOPO is a professional organization for all educational office personnel in Ohio-particularly office support personnel. It is NOT a bargaining unit and does not enter into negotiations with any educational system. The purpose of EOPO is to promote the professional growth of all persons employed as office personnel in an educational organization in the State of Ohio.

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: One thousand dollars ($1,000.00). EOPO scholarship winners will be eligible for an additional scholarship at the national level (sponsored by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANT: Complete the attached scholarship application form and mail it  with the Application Checklist, your 3 recommendation forms/letters and your high school transcripts (and college transcripts if applicable) to the address below postmarked no later than January 10, 2025. The application form should be typed or completed electronically. The electronic form may be found at our web 
site www.eopooh.org. The candidate is responsible for completion and return of all required support materials, including recommendation forms/letters (must be on official letterhead) and official transcripts. Failure to submit all requested information and support materials by the deadline date will result in disqualification.

RECOMMENDATION FORMS/LETTERS: Make copies of the form enclosed and fill in names at top as you need to submit three (3) recommendation forms/letters. Two recommendations should come from school personnel (principal, counselor, business teacher, etc.) and the third may come from any other person of your choice, who is not a family member. As indicated on the form. THESE NEED TO BE RETURNED TO YOU so they can be included with the application materials you submit.

ALTERNATE: An alternate will be selected in the event the winner does not use the scholarship.

PRESENTATION OF SCHOLARSHIP: The recipient will be contacted via email and phone upon being chosen as the winner. The scholarship will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony at the EOPO Annual Conference. In the event there is no conference, the scholarship award will be sent to the recipient’s home address once confirmation has been confirmed.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS: Educational Office Professionals of Ohio (EOPO) will arrange disbursement of recipient’s scholarship funds upon receipt of official notification of student’s enrollment in an institute of higher education.