Continuing Education Scholarships
Continuing Education Application Form
The Friends Scholarship Fund was established to enhance the capability of the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) staff and volunteers to deliver high quality service to the citizens of Fairfax County by assisting in their development. Twice a year the Friends Scholarship Fund provides several full and/or partial scholarships ranging from $150 to $1,000 to support the continuing education of individuals within the FCPL System. All FCPL employees and volunteers are eligible to apply for scholarships. Please consider applying for a scholarship.
Scholarship money may be used to pay or reimburse registration costs and travel and related expenses to attend seminars, conferences, lectures, meetings, adult education classes, or college and university classes when not enrolled in a formal degree program. Attendance at such events must benefit the FCPL in a demonstrable fashion.
Applications should be submitted for a training event which took place up to six (6) months before either the June 15 or December 15 closing date. If you are applying for prior approval of a scholarship for an upcoming event, the event must take place during the six (6) month period following your application closing date. Each application must be postmarked or received by either the June 15 or December 15 closing date. The application should be sent to the address below.
Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis without regard to race,
gender, religion, age, physical disability,
or sexual orientation. The Scholarship Committee considers the
merit of each application carefully, and factors
evaluated will include:
Stated
value of the scholarship event to the organization and the individual,
Stated
commitment to the FCPL, and
Length
of service.
Each applicant will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision within four (4) weeks of the closing date. Funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient with the stipulation that copies of receipts of scholarship-related expenditures will be submitted to the Friends Scholarship Fund, if they were not provided with the application. Applicants may receive only one (1) such scholarship a year, but may be considered for additional scholarships in future years.
For further information, please write or call 703-324-8300
Fairfax Library Foundation
Friends Scholarship Fund
Attn: Continuing Education Scholarships
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 329
Fairfax, VA 22035
Frequently Asked Questions
1. May I ask for help in completing or reviewing my application?
Yes.
You may ask your supervisor for assistance. Your Branch or Department may have
a person designated to help you.
2. I'm a volunteer at one of the branches and would like to
learn more about libraries by attending a nearby conference. Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?
Yes.
3. I'm a Page and am interested in improving my language skills
to communicate more efficiently with others at the Library. May I apply for a scholarship to take
an English (or other language) class?
Yes.
Be sure to identify how the class is related to your work.
4. I conduct children’s programs and would like to attend
a story-telling workshop to pick up some new ideas. It is local and costs $125. May I apply for a scholarship?
No.
Since our minimum scholarship is $150, you should seek assistance from
another source such as the
Fairfax County Public Library Employees’ Association (FCPLEA).
5. I received a $150 scholarship from FCPLEA for an event that
cost more. May I apply for a scholarship to help offset the remaining cost?
Yes.
Your request should specify the total cost and identify all other sources
and amounts of funds received.
6. I paid for a seminar about two (2) months ago. May I apply
for a scholarship after the training event?
Yes.
You may apply for a scholarship for an event which took place up to
six (6) months before either the
June 15 or December 15 closing dates. You will need to submit copies
of receipts for verification of your
expenses.
7. The event I wish to attend is on December 16. Which
deadline should I use to apply for a scholarship for that event?
You
would probably need to pay for the event yourself and apply for a scholarship
by the December 15
closing date. You will need to submit copies of receipts for verification
of your expenses.
8. The event I want to attend is in March, but I need to know
that a scholarship has been approved before I register for it. May
I apply for the scholarship on the December 15 closing date?
Yes.
You should include a brief description of the event and all costs for
attending on your application. Submit proof of your attendance,
such as copies of receipts for expenses, as soon as they are available.
9. When will I be notified whether I will receive a scholarship?
All
applicants will be notified within four (4) weeks of the scholarship
closing date. If you have been selected for a scholarship, you
will receive a check with your notice.
10. I did not receive a scholarship. May I reapply?
Yes.
You may reapply for a scholarship by the next closing date. You
will need to submit a new, complete application and copies of receipts
for verification of your expenses. Please attach a copy of the
letter that notified you that you were not selected for a scholarship.
Only one (1) re-application for an event is allowed.
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Continuing Education Application Form
Masters of Library Science | Baccalaureate | 2009 Awardees