Who Is Eligible?

Only high school students who are sons and daughters of UWUA active members can compete for these scholarships. Such students also must meet all requirements for participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program that are published in the PSAT/NMSQT Official Student Guide, which is updated annually and distributed to students through their high schools.

To participate in the program, students must take the qualifying test, the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT) during the proper high school year. In general, students who spend the usual four years in grades 9 through 12 must take the PSAT/ NMSQT when they are in their third year (grade 11/junior year). Students who plan to leave high school a year (or more) early to enroll in college full time should refer to the PSAT/NMSQT Official Student Guide (or contact NMSC) about when to take the test. A participant also must be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent U.S. resident (or have applied for permanent residency, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. The PSAT/NMSQT Official Student Guide explains these and other requirements for the competition, gives detailed information about the test (including sample questions and a complete practice test), and describes the scholarship programs NMSC administers.

How Does A Student Enter The 2013 UWUA Scholarship Program?

To enter the competition for UWUA Scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2013, children of members who will complete high school and enroll full time in college in 2013 must take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 2011, on the date their school chooses for the administration — either Wednesday, October 12 or Saturday, October 15, 2011. (At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, the student should obtain a copy of the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT Official Student Guide from the high school counselor and make arrangements with the school to take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.)

The student also must file an entry form directly with UWUA by December 31, 2011 (see form on next page). The entry form for the 2013 competition must be completed and mailed to: Utility Workers Union of America Scholarship Program, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

How Are Winners Selected?

All UWUA Scholarship winners in 2013 will be chosen from a group of candidates who (1) score high on the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT and (2) are notified by NMSC in the fall of 2012 that they may receive further consideration for a scholarship by meeting several academic and other requirements set by NMSC. Scores from the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT will be used by NMSC as an initial screen of applicants in the 2013 UWUA Scholarship Program. Entrants who advance in the competition will be contacted by NMSC on or before December 31, 2012. (Only those entrants who advance in the competition will be notified and receive materials from NMSC.) These students and their high school principals will complete applications that include biographical and academic information that must be filed with NMSC. Scholarship winners will be chosen

on a competitive basis and without regard to family financial circumstances, gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. An NMSC committee of professionals trained in selection will choose the winners by evaluating several factors about each eligible candidate; these include academic record throughout high school, significant activities and contributions to the school and community, test scores, the school’s recommendation of the candidate, and the student’s essay about personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals. In most cases, winners will be notified by NMSC in March of 2013. All winners are notified directly, prior to any public announcement that may be made about recipients.

What Is The Amount Of The Award?

The stipend for each UWUA Scholarship winner is determined individually by NMSC and can range from $500 to a maximum of $2,000 per year for up to four years of college undergraduate study or until baccalaureate degree requirements are completed, whichever occurs first. The amount of the stipend takes into account both educational costs of the college to be attended and family financial circumstances. NMSC may increase or decrease the winner’s annual stipend, within the minimum and maximum limits set for the scholarship, after considering other scholarship aid the winner receives, any change in college to be attended, and/or significant changes in family finances.

Are There Requirements That Scholarship Winners Must Meet?

Yes. The formal offer of a UWUA Scholarship that NMSC sends to each winner specifies terms for acceptance and continuation of the award. A winner must enter college in the fall term following selection and must enroll as a full-time undergraduate in a college or university in the United States that holds accredited status with a regional accrediting commission on higher education. (Scholarship stipends are not payable for attendance at service academies, virtual universities, and certain institutions that are limited in their purposes or training.) Also, the winner must attend college during the day, enroll in a course of study leading to one of the traditional baccalaureate degrees, and remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Who Handles Scholarship Procedures?

All phases of the competition, including the selection of winners and payment of scholarship stipends are handled for Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

NOTE: A student who does not take the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT because of illness, an emergency or other extenuating circumstances (but meets all other participation requirements), may still be able to enter the 2013 competition. To request information about possible arrangements for alternate testing after the October 2011 PSAT/NMSQT administration, the student must write directly to NMSC as soon as possible but no later than March 1, 2012. The student should not delay; the earlier the student writes, the more options there are for scheduling test dates. The letter must be postmarked on or before March 1, 2012, for the request to be considered. Write to National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Attn: Educational Services, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200, Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897; telephone 847/866-5100.