The DEAF GAIN LaRosh Scholarship Application Form

Full Application Form Accepted in American Sign Language or in written English.
“Freeing ourselves from the shackles of normalcy, we are now able to see how DEAF GAIN can change the ways in which we appreciate the gifts of all humans.”

H-Dirksen L. Bauman and Joseph J. Murray
SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY

This scholarship, established in the late 1970’s, was first named after Franklin W. LaRosh for his generous contributions to the Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD). Its aim was to provide a $1,500 scholarship each for up to two Kansas School for the Deaf high school seniors, one male and one female, to support their attendance at any post-secondary educational institution.

Decades later, the world has significantly changed for the Kansas Deaf community. The rise of the cochlear implant industry and the oralism movement, detrimentally placing Deaf children in monolingual language-restrictive educational settings, has led to a noticeable decline in the number of Deaf children attending the bilingual, language-rich setting at the Kansas State School for the Deaf. Consequently, the pool of eligible scholarship candidates has dwindled, limiting opportunities for young Deaf adults in Kansas through no fault of their own.

Further, because of the availability of financial support from the U.S. Department of Education’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services for postsecondary education, the original Franklin W. LaRosh scholarship has become redundant, inefficient in terms of fund utilization, and less aligned with the KAD’s mission.

Based on the last known communication with the LaRosh family donors in 2003, Ethel Nee LaRosh Stewart [Richard Brubaker], the daughter of Franklin W. LaRosh, confirmed that the KAD Board of Directors holds full authority over the scholarship’s administration.

Given the evolving social and economic contexts, in 2024, the KAD Board of Directors acknowledged the necessity to re-examine the scholarship’s purpose, the amount awarded, and its eligibility criteria. The KAD Board of Directors agreed that the scholarship should now encourage diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities for young Deaf adults in Kansas, regardless of their educational backgrounds.

Consequently, the KAD Board of Directors decided that the scholarship’s revised purpose should be to support and empower future generations of young Deaf leaders from Kansas, celebrating their contributions and achievements in elevating the Deaf community and humanity at large.

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE

In alignment with the Kansas Association of the Deaf mission, which is to PRESERVE, PROTECT, and PROMOTE the civil, human, linguistic, DEAF GAINS, and RIGHTS of Deaf Kansans, the Franklin W. LaRosh Scholarship is herein known as the DEAF GAIN LaRosh Scholarship.

Since Deaf humans have a natural and strong aptitude for tactile and sensory visuality, visual thinking, and for the world’s sign languages, these aptitudes are considered GAINS in professions such as architecture, film, education, linguistics, engineering, art, literature, music, media, dance, theater, video-gaming, technology, neuroscience, graphic design and more. When Deaf humans’ natural aptitudes are nurtured and fostered, their potential for contributions to humanity increases and become boundless.

Therefore, the DEAF GAIN LaRosh Scholarship's purpose is to award a scholarship(s) up to at least $3,000 to a maximum of $6,000 annually, based on annual market gains from investments of the prior year and for as long as funds are available to Kansas's young Deaf adults prioritizing ages 18 through 40, Deaf-led/owned organizations, businesses or groups, to create or support endeavors that contribute to the elevation and growth of Deaf Leaders, the Deaf Ecosystem, and Human Diversity. As a result, the endeavors foster a gain for Deaf individuals, the Deaf community, the Deaf ecosystem, and humanity.

Such endeavors awarded include initiatives in a wide range of areas including the aforementioned GAINS in various professions that align with the Kansas Association of the Deaf's mission: to PRESERVE, PROTECT, and PROMOTE the civil, human, linguistic, DEAF GAINS, and RIGHTS of Deaf Kansans/Americans, by capitalizing on the natural and strong tactile sensory visual aptitudes of Deaf humans through:
- Endeavors that are novel or experimental and evoke surprise.
- Endeavors that challenge and inspire.
- Endeavors that create revolutionary products or services.
- Endeavors that foster collectivist and multigenerational communities.
- Endeavors that grow new or strengthen existing leaders or entrepreneurs.
- Endeavors that promote social justice and human biological diversity.
Amounts awarded can range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $6,000 based on the market gains of prior year investments and the number of applications awarded each year.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Applicant(s)/Organization Representative must have Deaf Gain and show date of birth. KAD will use the applicant's State issued ID or Driver's License as proof.
- Applicant(s)/Organization Representative must be a Kansas Resident/Organizaton. KAD will use the applicant's State Issued ID or Driver's License as proof.
- Applicant(s)/Organizatoin Representative must be a member of KAD. The KAD Board will verify applicant's/organization's membership/affiliate standing through its membership roster.
- Applicant(s)/Organization Representative must have a Deaf Gain. KAD requires the Certificate of Completion in Deafhood 101 Training as attestation to the applicant’s/Organization Represetantive's Deaf identity.
- Applicant(s)/Organization Representative must have a Certificate of Completion for the Deafhood 101 Training as demonstration of their profound engagement and contributions towards the preservation and elevation of Deaf culture and practices. Should an applicant require financial assistance to complete this training prior to submitting their application for this scholarship, it is recommended they apply for the Deaf Influencers Scholarship.
APPLICATION PERIOD: Accepting applications between March 1st to April 30th annually.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name of Applicant/Organization Representative applying on behalf of self or a group/organization. *
If selected as the winner, this name will be the recipient of whom the check will be issued to.
Name of Organization you are applying for on behalf of (if applicable).
If selected as the winner, this organization name will the be recipient of whom the check will be issued to
If applying on behalf of a group/organization, list the names of persons in the group or on the governing board, their ages, and confirm they have Deaf Gain.
Text Number
Please enter a valid phone number
Video Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

The following must be provided for the application to be qualified for consideration.
Applicant/Organization acknowledges that applicant/organization must be a KAD member/affiliate to apply for this scholarship.*

YES, I confirm that I am a current member of the Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD). I understand that membership is a prerequisite for applying for this scholarship. If submitting this application on behalf of a group/organization, I attest that all group members hold active KAD memberships or the organization is an affiliate. MEMBERSHIP/AFFILIATE REMINDER: If you or any group/organization members are not currently KAD members, please visit www.deafkansas.org/membership to join now with a $10 individual investment or a $25 affiliate investment for a two-year membership.
Applicant's/Organization's Representative Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Required for prioritizing the age eligibility of 18 through 40.
Applicant's/Organization's Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applicant's/Organization Representative's Proof of Date of Birth and Address:*

Please upload an image of your Drivers License or qualifying state ID.
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Applicant's/Organization's Representative Proof of Having Deaf Gain *

Please upload a proof of your Deafhood 101 Certificate of Completion
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Endeavor Details

Provide as much information as you can to strengthen your chances of being awarded.
Award Amount Request*
type a dollar amount
Endeavor Website
If available
Endeavor Title*
Tell us about your Endeavor:*
If in ASL, please provide a link to the ASL version
Tell us how you will use the money:*
If in ASL, please provide a link to the ASL version
Tell us how your Endeavor will contribute to the elevation of a Deaf Leader(s), the Deaf Community, the Deaf Ecosystem, and/or to Human Diversity:*
If in ASL, please provide a link to the ASL version
Tell us about yourself/selves/organization:*
If in ASL, please provide a link to the ASL version
Upload supporting images or files of your Endeavor:

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Acknowledgement of DEAF GAIN SCHOLARSHIP TERMS by Applicant.

Must be signed before applications can be considered.
The DEAF GAIN LAROSH SCHOLARSHIP TERMS

If awarded, by accepting their award, the scholarship recipient agrees to release the Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD), and its officers, directors, and members from any liability, loss, damage, cost, or claim that arises from their participation in the scholarship program. KAD reserves the right to withhold awards in any given year, and to modify or terminate any scholarships at its sole discretion, with or without notice. The recipient of the scholarship is solely responsible for any state or federal tax liabilities that may result from acceptance of the scholarship.
To be signed by the recipient/organization representative. By signing this document, the recipient/organization representative acknowledges the Deaf Gain Scholarship Terms:
Applicant/Organization Representative Signature*

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Applicant/Organization Representative Name*

First NameLast Name
Scholarship Award Notice:

Scholarship Award Criteria: Awarding of scholarships is contingent upon the strength of the application, fund availability, the proposed endeavor's merit, and the volume of applications received. Receipt of a scholarship is not guaranteed.

Confidentiality Assurance: Personal details such as age, address, and driver's license number are treated with utmost confidentiality and will not be disclosed. Information pertaining to the awarded endeavor may be shared publicly.

Selection Process: The KAD Board of Directors convenes in May to evaluate submissions and select recipient(s).

Announcement of Winners: Scholarship winner(s) will be announced on June 1st.
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APPLICANT INFORMATION

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Endeavor Details

Acknowledgement of DEAF GAIN SCHOLARSHIP TERMS by Applicant.