SMART 18 Scholarship Program

Funder: Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local No. 18 (SMART Local 18)

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin, US (Local 18 service area)

Program Administrator: Scholarship America®

A scholarship program developed by Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local No. 18 to support spouses or children of union members pursuing further education in vocational or college programs. Scholarship America manages scholarship funds and evaluation.

Eligibility

Applicants must be ONE of the following:

• Dependent child (not married, claimed as dependent on federal income tax return): Under age 25, of a full-time, dues-paying member of SMART Local No. 18 who has been a member for at least 2 years as of application deadline
• Legal spouse: Under age 25, of a full-time, dues-paying member of SMART Local No. 18 who has been a member for at least 2 years as of application deadline

Educational Requirements:

• Current postsecondary undergraduate student OR high school senior/graduate
• Plan to attend full-time undergraduate studies at recognized two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical institution for the next academic year
• Only undergraduate studies eligible for awards

Ineligibility:

• Grandchildren of members are NOT eligible

Award Details

• SMART Local 18 Award: $4,000 (9 awards available)
• Essay Impact Award: $6,000 (1 award to best essay response)
• Awards are not renewable, but eligible students may apply each year
• Payment made in August
• All applicants notified by late April

Selection Criteria

Recipients chosen based on:

• Academic history
• Demonstrated initiative and involvement in community and educational affairs
• Work experience
• Essay response (1,000 characters) on unusual conditions in one's life or family
• Internet suggestion (unclear from source)
• NOT considered: Financial need

Selection Process: Scholarship America evaluation staff reviews eligible applications. No officer or member of SMART Local 18 involved in selection. All applicants accept outcome as final.

Contact Information

Address: 2201 Springdale Rd, Waukesha, WI 53186

Application Process

1. Registration: Visit Scholarship America Hub on or after January 3 each year to register account and begin application
2. Required Materials: Upload the following documents:
   • Complete and up-to-date grade transcript (reports on grades not acceptable)
   • Must include student names, school, grades, and credit hours for each course per term
   • Test scores (if applicable):
   • If submitting SAT or ACT scores separately, upload copy of score report
   • Not required if scores appear on high school transcript
   • Not required if submitting college transcript
3. Recommendation Form: One online recommendation form must be electronically submitted on applicant's behalf
   • Deadline: March 6 (3:00 PM Central Time)
4. Essay Component: Answer essay question in approximately 1,000 characters about unusual conditions in one's life or family
5. Submission Deadline: March 6 (3:00 PM Central Time) - ALL materials must be submitted by this date for application to be considered complete

Important Notes

• Application incomplete if all required materials not electronically submitted by deadline
• Not every applicant selected to receive funding
• Notifications sent by late April