RALPH SIDMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE - SPRING 2008

HISTORY: The scholarship was established by Mrs. Judith Sidman and members of the Sidman family in 1984 in memory of Ralph Sidman, a prominent businessman and civic leader. The scholarship was first awarded in May, 1985.

CRITERIA: The scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student from the Capital region who has completed at lest two sections of the Community and Public Service Program (CPSP) in two different semesters. The Capital REgion includes the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Fulton,, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Sartoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. It is open to students in all academic disciplines. The committee will consider each candidate on the basis of the following items:

1. Commitment to the public good
2. Contribution to the Capital Region
3. Good academic performance.
4. Financial need
5. A letter of support from your agency supervisor for your application
6. An interview for finalists

Selection Committee: The committee will consist of SSW faculty, staff and at least one community volunteer.

Application Deadline: The completed application and letter of support for the Sidman Scholarship 2008 must be in the Community and Public Service office by Friday, February 22. 2008. The SIDMAN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM is available here or you can pick up an application at the CPSP office at the beginning of the Spring semester in Social Sciences 112.

REQUIREMENTS: A candidate for the Ralph Sidman Scholarship will need to have completed RSSW 290 and either RSSW 291 or RSSW 390 no later than the end of academic semester Spring 2007. The volunteer service must have occurred in at least two different semesters. The general criteria for awarding the scholarship are the following:

1. A letter of application that evidences your commitment to the public good in the Capital Region while enrolled at the University at Albany and your financial need, including a 250-word essay addressing “Why the selection committee should consider me as a finalist for the Ralph Sidman Memorial Scholarship”.

2. A good academic performance. We will get a copy of your MyUAlbany transcript.

3. A letter of support from your CPSP site supervisor addressed to the Sidman Scholarship Committee in the Community and Public Service office. This can be either the supervisor for RSSW 290, RSSW 291 or for RSSW 390 it's your choice, but do choose someone who will meet the application deadline.

4. If you are a finalist, you will be invited to an interview with the search committee scheduled during the week beginning Monday, April 16, 2007.

5. The award will be made at the School of Social Welfare Graduation Celebration, Saturday, May 19 in Page Hall on the downtown campus. The award amount has not been determined

Send your application and letters of support to:

Ralph Sidman Scholarship Committee
Community and Public Service Program
1400 Washington Ave., Social Sciences 112
Albany, NY 12222

SELECTION COMMITTEE: The committee will consist School of Social Welfare faculty and staff and at least one community volunteer.

APPLICATION DEADLINE 2008: All materials must be completed and turned in to the Community and Public Service Program office by Friday, February 22, 2008. Finalists will be invited to an interview during the week of Monday, March 17, 2008.