The American Sign Language Project, NFP

The American Sign Language Project Scholarship
Posted deadline: June 15th, 2009

The goal of the American Sign Language Project Scholarship is to encourage full-time college students in the State of Illinois to engage in research leading to noninvasive technologies that will improve communication between Deaf and hearing people.

Amount of Award

$1000

Number of Winners

One

What scholarship funds may cover

Any portion of tuition, fees, books or expenses relating to research.

Scheduled distribution

$500 at the beginning of the Fall term. For the Fall, payment to the recipient’s school will be sent once verification of enrollment is received. The first payment will go directly to the winner’s account at their Financial Aid Office. The remaining $500 will be sent to the recipient once the recipient’s final project report is received. The recipient must remain enrolled as a full-time student and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

Scholarship program guidelines

To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a full-time undergraduate or full-time graduate student in the State of Illinois
• Be actively pursuing a major or minor in some area of Information Technology
• Have permanent U.S. residency
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)
• Be engaged in a research project involving noninvasive technology that will improve communication between Deaf and hearing people
• Complete the entire application packet

The American Sign Language Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or gender.

Relatives of current or former members of The American Sign Language Project are not eligible for the scholarship. Relatives of major contributors to The American Sign Language Project are not eligible for the scholarship.

Application materials must include

• Completed application form, typed or printed
• Official college transcript
• A letter of recommendation (500-1000 words) from a teacher who is familiar with your academic record, skills and abilities
• Proof of permanent residency, if not a U.S. citizen
• A 3-5 page description of a proposed research project, including project goals and time line. Explain how the project fills a need not previously addressed. Include an explanation of how the research will create noninvasive technology that will facilitate better communication between Deaf and hearing people.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated for the following:

• Academic achievement
• Quality of research proposal, including
• Organization
• Writing
• Feasibility of completing the proposed research within the timeline given
• Potential of the proposed research
• Qualifications to complete the research
• Commitment to facilitating better Deaf / hearing communication

A screening committee established by The American Sign Language Project will choose the scholarship recipient.

The winner agrees to allow The American Sign Language Project to use his or her name and photo, image or likeness on the corporation’s website and in public announcements and press releases about the scholarship.

Scholarship application forms

Download and print the scholarship application form by clicking on the following link:

Scholarship Application.

Forms may be reproduced if additional copies are required. Applications on clearly reproduced forms are acceptable.

Application materials will not be returned. Please do not send originals of important documents.

Application Period and Deadline

Application materials must be postmarked no earlier than 30 days before the posted deadlineand must be received by The American Sign Language Project no later than the posted deadline. Applications postmarked earlier than 30 days before the posted deadline or received after the posted deadline, as well as incomplete packets, will not be accepted. Please send in only one application. Applications delivered by overnight mail, FedEx, courier, fax or e-mail will not be accepted. Please make sure you allow enough time for the packet to be delivered before the deadline.

The American Sign Language Project is not responsible for lost, delayed or misdelivered applications.

Scholarship winner

 The winner of The American Sign Language Project Scholarship will be announced on the website (www.aslproject.com) six weeks after the posted deadline.

Checklist (Print out and cross off each item as you complete your application packet)

• Completed application form
• Official college transcript
• A letter of recommendation
• Proof of permanent residency, if not a U.S. citizen
• Description of proposed research project

Send to

Scholarship Committee
The American Sign Language Project
600 W. Roosevelt Road, Suite A-1
Wheaton, IL 60187

The American Sign Language Project reserves the right to announce that no winner has been chosen if none of the applications meet its selection criteria.