3. VALLEY GUARDIANS TRADE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship Overview

The Valley Guardians Trade School Scholarship is a need/merit-based scholarship, awarded to exceptional high school students, living in Arizona, who need financial support to continue their dreams and success through trade or vocational education. The Valley Guardians Trade School Scholar is unique among their peers in their desire to figure out who they are, their expertise,
what they want, and how to translate that into adding value to society. This scholarship may cover the following things: partial or full tuition, fees, books, school materials, internships, and volunteering opportunities. The financial benefits of the scholarship will be shaped for each scholar to ensure they have a comprehensive trade school plan and financial support to achieve their goals.

This scholarship is open to all high school applicants living in Arizona, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other background factors. Winners are selected based on three distinct criteria which demonstrate the applicant’s financial need, personal accountability, and past achievements.

Award: $1-3K. Opportunity for additional funding is available depending on applicants’ unique circumstances.

Selection Criteria

Financial need. The applicant must demonstrate that they need financial support. This can include but is not limited to (1)
personal efforts to raise money through paid employment, other scholarships, FAFSA, and family members. (2) due diligence
in selecting a cost-effective option for their path of continued trade or vocational education.

Personal accountability. The applicant must demonstrate that they are committed to developing themselves and becoming
contributors to society. This can include but is not limited to a life plan and goals; and specifically, how their training/education will contribute to that life plan.

Past achievements. The applicant must demonstrate any exceptional achievements they have made so far in life. This can
include but is not limited to (1) development of their trade/vocational expertise (2) academic success (3) involvement in
extracurricular activities/community and (4) contributions in the home.

Application Components:

This application includes two major sections:

Section 1: Student Applicant Profile (page 2)
Section 2: Financial and Household Information (page 4)
Application deliverables:
1. Completed application form [Section 1 and 2]
2. Cover letter, Resume, Professional Photo
3. Two Letters of Recommendation
4. Transcript Certifying Academic Performance
5. Single document listing experience, awards, and certifications in the trade/vocation being submitted
6. A PowerPoint presentation about you and your life plan

Application Process:

Accepting Applications: Ongoing [Submit to Team@leadaz.org for evaluation by the Selection Committee]
• Freeze time period: Applications will not be processed from 5/15/2025 – 7/31/2025

Evaluation:
• Once the application is received, the applicant will be scheduled to meet with the Leadership Society of Arizona (LSA) for an initial interview. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

• If an applicant passes the interview, LSA will schedule a time for them to come to its home office and help them put their financial plan together based on their needs.

• Once complete, LSA will submit their plan to the Selection Committee for evaluation and their determination.

• Next, the Selection Committee will complete their evaluation, and select candidates will be invited to virtually meet the full Selection Committee for a personal presentation and interview. Each presentation/interview is expected to be around 20 minutes.

• Finally, the Selection Committee will identify if the applicant was selected and LSA will begin the onboarding process.

Award Announcement: Ongoing
• Students accepted will be invited to virtually meet with the Selection Committee to receive the awarded scholarship.

First and Last Name

Email

example@example.com

Phone

Address (address, city, state, zip code)

Gender

Ethnicity

Birthdate / Age

Date

Job

Monthly Income

Please give a short description to help us better get to know you (strengths/limitations, what you love, your vision and how you feel the scholarship will help you

Please provide a simple plan on the education and training needed to achieve your goals below. Plan should include a timeline.

High School

Designation [Public, Private, Etc.]

School Address [city, state, zip]

Current GPA

SAT/ACT Score

AP or IB Courses/Exam Score (if available)

Expected Graduation Date from High School

Date

Are you in an existing Valley Guardians supported program?

YesNo

Have you successfully graduated from a Valley Guardians supported program?

YesNo

Which Valley Guardians or Valley Guardians Associate is nominating you?

Total Internships:

Total Hours

Have you completed a Resume?

YesNo

Community Services Hours

Gave a Presentation on Yourself

YesNo

Won a Valley Guardians supported program award:

YesNo

1.

(MM/YY)

2.

(MM/YY)

3.

(MM/YY)

4.

(MM/YY)

1.

2. (MM/YY)

2.

(MM/YY)

3.

(MM/YY)

4.

(MM/YY)

5.

(MM/YY)

6.

(MM/YY)

7.

Total Cost of Program Choice

Total Personal Income

Total Personal Expenses

Difference (Support Needed)

Program Applying To

Trade/Vocation Interest (if other)

Acceptance Notice (MM/YY)

# of Years/Months to Complete Program

Expected Start Date (MM/YY)

Date

Expected Graduation Date (MM/YY)

Date

First Generation College Student

Yes:No:

Cost of Program Tuition per Year

Cost of Program Books per Year

Cost of Program Materials/Equipment Per Year:

Cost

Transportation Mode

Total Cost of Transportation

	Type (Job, FAFSA Etc.)	Frequency of Payment [One Time, Monthly, Yearly, etc.]	Income
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Submitted for FAFSA

YesNo

If FAFSA was not submitted, are you planning on submitting

YesNo

Total Income

$ Per Semester

$ Per Year

Housing (rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc.):

Utility (gas, electric, water, etc.):

Telephone and internet:

Medical (insurance, medication, visits, etc.):

Transportation (car mortgage, bus fare, gas, etc.):

What are your monthly essential personal costs (food, clothes, supplies)?

Item 1 details:

Item 1 Expenses ($) :

Item 2 details:

Item 2 Expenses ($) :

Item 3 details:

Item 3 Expenses ($) :

Item 4 details:

Item 4 Expenses ($) :

Total Personal Expenses:

Total Personal Expenses (Monthly):

List steps taken below, to help support yourself financially over the life of the program:

Household size (# of people living in household). Please list all household members below in order:

	# of People in Household	Household Names	Ages	Relation to Applicant
1
2
3
4
5
6

Please list any household members who are currently employed or receive income:

	Household member Name:	Employer Company and Contact Name:	Employer Phone	Member Position:	Monthly Income
1
2
3
4

Please mark the answer that best fits your current housing situation:

Total Household Monthly Income

Are you receiving government nutrition assistance (SNAP)?

YesNo

Are you receiving government healthcare assistance? (AHCCCS)

YesNo

List other sources of financial assistance or income you are receiving (unemployment, alimony, social security, etc.):

Housing (rent, mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc.):

Utility (gas, electric, water, etc.):

Telephone and internet:

Medical (insurance, medication, visits, etc.): $

Transportation (car mortgage, bus fare, gas, etc.): $

What are your monthly essential personal costs (food, clothes, supplies)?

Item 1 details:

Item 1 Expenses ($) :

Item 2 details:

Item 2 Expenses ($) :

Item 3 details:

Item 3 Expenses ($) :

Item 4 details:

Item 4 Expenses ($) :

Total Monthly Household Expenses:

FINAL SIGNATURE

I swear under penalty of perjury that the statements and documents provided about myself and persons in my home including information about school GPA, household financial information and the child applicant information are true
and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I have not withheld information.

I, the undersigned parent, guardian, or legal representative, indicate that I have read this document and provide my consent for the application into the Valley Guardians’ Executive Leadership Program for the aforementioned child and I
represent that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and am fully competent to sign this Release, and all household and financial information is accurate and can be verified.

Print Parent/Guardian/Representative

Student Applicant

Parent/Guardian/Representative Signature

Student Applicant Signature

Date

Type a question

VALLEY GUARDIANS TRADE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship Overview

Selection Criteria

Application Components:

Application Process:

Section 1: Student Applicant Profile

General Information

High School Information:

Leadership Experience:

Employment History: please list below

Awards / Trade&Vocational Certifications / Trade&Vocational Classes / Extracurriculars / Community Service:

Section 2: Financial Information

Program of Choice Information:

Mode of Transportation and Cost Per Year

Income [Employment, FAFSA Awards, Parent Support, Donors, Scholarships, etc.

Estimated Breakout of Monthly Personal Expenses When Attending Your Continued Trade/Vocational Education

Please list any other major monthly expenses:

Breakout of Monthly Household Expenses (Must be filled out by parent/guardian)Heading

Please list any other major monthly expenses:

FINAL SIGNATURE