Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 637, Bobbiejo Lazo Scholarship Grant

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 637, Bobbiejo Lazo Scholarship supports citizens of Hopewell and surrounding areas pursuing higher education. This scholarship emphasizes academic achievement, community service, and financial need, while honoring the legacy of Ms. Bobbiejo Lazo, a dedicated veteran who served her community. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including GPA requirements and the submission of essential documents. Awards are provided directly to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.

Purpose
To promote continuing education by awarding scholarships for any course of study. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, extra-curricular involvement, good citizenship, financial need and a commitment to the community through volunteer service. Institutions may include technical colleges, community colleges, and four-year colleges/universities.
Background
Ms. Bobbiejo Lazo served in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2005. She was born in Blacksburg, VA in 1982. She initially joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) while stationed in Germany. After returning to U.S.A. she joined Jacob J. Pearson VFW Post 637 in Hopewell. She served in various positions in the VFW such as Post Chaplain and Junior Vice Commander. She served as the 3rd District Adjutant and finally as the VFW Department of Virginia State Service Officer (SSO). As the SSO she assisted numerous veterans with processing their claims for benefits with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs over a number of years. She possesses the uncanny ability in virtually any environment to give an extempore speech on any appropriate topic such as a prayer before a meal or a eulogy for a VFW member. She lives her life with a strong belief in God, having past held several chairs and leadership roles in the church. She has always enjoyed the outdoors and often shares that love with her three boys, Omar, Solomon and Ulysses who are the loves of her life. The scholarship honors the legacy of all members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 637, the Auxiliary and particularly Ms. Lazo for her commitment, and service to her Country and the community.
Criteria Scoring
(5 points) Letters of Recommendation(5 points ) Financial Need(5 points) Academics(5 points) Extracurricular Activities(10 points) Statement and Essay(10 points) VFW-Post 637 Member (Priority given to child/grandchild)(5 points) VFW-Post 637 Auxiliary (Priority given to child/grandchild)
Procedure
The scholarship will be paid directly to the school for current year tuition, fees, books purchased through the institution attended, and on-campus dormitory and meal plan expenses. The scholarship committee will review and evaluate all applications and announce awards each spring. The committee will also review and revise the scholarship policy and criteria as necessary. The application must be submitted online here.
Required Documents
All required documents must be uploaded with the application. Any mailed or hand-delivered documents will not be accepted.
Academic Transcript(s) (High School or College whichever applies.)FAFSA Submission Summary (which includes the Student Aid Index (SAI): formally known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC). SAI is an eligibility index number used to determine federal student aid and is generated from the completed FAFSA Application.Two Letters of Recommendation (Current)
Failure to submit the online application with all documents attached to the application by the deadline will disqualify an applicant from consideration for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 637, Bobbiejo Lazo Scholarship. The John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Committee reserves the right to interview applicants in the final stages of selection.The decision of the scholarship committee in all matters regarding scholarships is final. Canvassing a scholarship benefactor, any John Randolph Foundation trustee or employee shall result in immediate disqualification. Scholarship awards are subject to the availability of funds, meeting the criteria as outlined in the guidelines of the individual scholarship program and contingent upon acceptance and enrollment in an approved program.John Randolph Foundation respects the privacy of scholarship applicants. Any personal or financial information will be used for the purpose of assessing the scholarship application and will be made available solely to the Foundation’s staff and scholarship selection committee.

Eligibility

This scholarship is available for citizens of Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Prince George County and Fort Lee. Homeschooled students are encouraged to apply but must have Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results. Priority may be given to citizens who are the child or grandchild of a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 637, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 637 Auxiliary.Scholarship Applicants MustAttending or express an interest in attending college as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student (at least 6 hours per semester)High School applicant must have a cumulative G.P.A of 3.0 or higher; Home Schooled students must have an SAT at 1000 or above. Student currently attending a two or four-year institution of higher education must be in good standing (a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is considered to be in good standing);Submit a completed “John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application” ONLINE which includes the ability to UPLOAD the required “attachments” requested on the application;Exhibit good citizenship (as evidenced by letters of recommendation from three sources);Demonstrate financial need; andDemonstrate commitment to the community through volunteer service with an emphasis on military service and patriotic causes.