Grange Foundation Ernestine "Ernie" Keiser Memorial Scholarship Application

Scholarship Requirements:

• Applicant must be a Grange member in good standing with a minimum of one year of membership.
• The scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and students enrolled in postsecondary education, including two-year community colleges, four-year colleges/universities, vocational or trade schools, certificate programs, and continuing education programs at accredited institutions.  Students pursuing graduate degrees or advanced vocational certifications are also eligible to apply.
• Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students.
• An applicant is eligible to apply for the scholarship each year; however, if selected, they will only be eligible to receive it a maximum of two times.
• Two (2) - Recommendation Letters are required.
  • 1 – from a member of the applicant’s Community (local) Grange.  It may be an officer or member of the Community Grange.
  • 1 – from a teacher/guidance counselor/mentor.  The letter should be on school    letterhead or organizational letterhead, if applicable.

The writers of the letters of recommendation must be unrelated to the applicant.

To ensure that the application package is complete, we will accept recommendation letters electronically in a PDF format, if the teacher/guidance counselor/mentor desires to send it separately.  It must be received by the deadline of March 1.

• Essay – Applicant may use one of the prompts below for their essay.  The limit is a maximum of 500 words or the equivalent of two pages, typed, double spaced.  The prompts are:
  • How will the furtherance of my education help the Grange or my community?
  • What does Grange membership mean to you?
  • How has the Grange helped to develop me as a person/leader?
• Please include a current headshot with your application, along with the signed Grange Foundation Media Release Form.
• Be sure to send a complete application package.  This is a Grange scholarship, so Grange involvement and activities will be weighted heavily in the selection process.
• The scholarship winner will receive notification of scholarship by April 30.

Grange Foundation Media Release Form

I hereby grant and authorize the Grange Foundation the right to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute and make use of any and all pictures or video provided by or taken of me in the capacity as a scholarship applicant or award winner to be used in and/or for any lawful promotional materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, magazines, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, fundraising letters, annual reports, press kits and submissions to journalists, websites, social networking sites and other communications, print or digital, without payment or any other consideration.

This authorization extends to all languages, media, formats and markets now known or later discovered. 

This authorization shall continue indefinitely unless I otherwise revoke this authorization in writing.

I waive the right to inspect or approve any finished product in which my likeness appears, including written or electronic copy.

I agree that I have agreed to this release without being compensated. I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph.

I understand and agree that these materials shall become the property of the Grange Foundation and will not be returned.

I hereby hold harmless and release the Grange Foundation from all liability, petitions, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons may make while acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate.