Continuing Education Scholarships
Continuing Education Application Form
The Fairfax Library Foundation’s Scholarship Program was established to enhance the capability of the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) staff and volunteers to deliver high quality public service. Twice a year the Scholarship Committee awards several full or partial scholarships up to $1,000 to support the continuing education of all FCPL employees and volunteers.
All FCPL employees and volunteers are eligible to apply for scholarships. Scholarships are awarded either for advance funding or reimbursement for registration costs, books/materials and travel-related expenses to attend seminars, conferences, lectures, workshops, adult education classes, certificate programs, 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. Applicants may receive a scholarship for only one (1) event occurring within a 12-month period, either on an advance funding or reimbursement basis, but may be considered for an additional scholarship for a subsequent yearly period.
Applications must be submitted by either the June 15 or December 15 deadline. The June 15 deadline covers future events from July of the current year through June of the next year or reimbursement for events which occurred within the previous year (July through June). The December 15 deadline covers future events from January through December of the next year or reimbursement for events which occurred January through December of this calendar year. The application must be postmarked or received by either the June 15 or December 15 closing date by the Foundation Scholarship committee at the address below.
Scholarships are 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. Factors evaluated will include:
Stated value of the scholarship event to the organization and the individual,
Individual’s stated commitment to the FCPL, and
Individual’s length of service with FCPL.
Each applicant will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision within four (4) weeks of the closing date. Scholarship Committee decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient.
For further information, please contact:
info@FairfaxLibraryFoundation.org
703-324-8300
Fairfax Library Foundation
Attn: Continuing Education Scholarships
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 329
Fairfax, VA 22035
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I want to apply for a scholarship. When do I need to submit my application?
Your application must be submitted by either the June 15 or December 15 deadline. The June 15 deadline covers future events from July of the current year through June of the next year or reimbursement for events which occurred within the previous year (July through June). The December 15 deadline covers future events from January through December of the next year or reimbursement for events which occurred January through December of this calendar year.
NOTE: Only one (1) event occurring within a 12-month period, either on an advance funding or reimbursement basis, will be eligible for a scholarship.
2. May I ask for help in completing or reviewing my application?
Yes.
You may ask anyone to help you (for example, your supervisor, a co-worker, etc.).
3. What eligibility criteria will be considered?
The application must be received or postmarked by June 15 or December 15.
The application must be complete.
Work or volunteer within the FCPL System,
4. 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. Specify the relevance of the conference to your work.
5. I'm a Page 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. Specify how the class is related to your work.
6. 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?
Yes. There is no minimum scholarship amount.
7. What documentation of expenses must I attach with my application to verify the costs that I am seeking a scholarship to cover?
If you have already paid for the event, you must include verification of your expenses. Documentation should include sales receipts, payment confirmation receipts, account statements (i.e. hotel accommodations), and similar documents.
For a future event, provide documentation of the total event costs (i.e. relevant portion of an event brochure, course booklet, internet description, a hotel’s accommodation estimate, or similar documents). When your application for a future event is approved, you must submit receipts and other documentation showing your registration and attendance, and the costs you actually paid for the event, within thirty (30) days after the ending date of the event. Failure to submit this information may result in your being ineligible for additional scholarships.
Please note that the application form will ask you to attach documentation where required. Applications received without required documentation are incomplete and will not be considered.
8. I received a scholarship from the Fairfax County Public Library Employees’ Association (FCPLEA), or another source, for an event that costs more. May I apply for a scholarship to help offset the remaining costs?
Yes. Specify the total cost, identify each source and funds received, and the amount you still need. If you have already paid for the event, you must include copies of your receipts.
9. 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 that took place up to one (1) year before the June 15 or December 15 closing dates. Submit a completed application with copies of receipts to verify your expenses.
10. 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. Submit a completed application including a brief description of the event with documentation of the costs to attend (refer to question #7 above).
11. I am enrolled in a formal college/university degree program. Can I receive a scholarship for one of my classes?
No. You may receive a Continuing Education Scholarship for college or university classes only when you are not enrolled in a formal degree program. When a class is part of your formal degree program, one of the academic scholarships may be appropriate.
12. I received a scholarship on the June 15th application date for reimbursement of expenses for an event that I attended during the preceding April. May I apply for a scholarship on the next application date (December 15) for a future event that will occur in the next March?
No. You may receive only one (1) scholarship within a 12-month period, either on an advance funding or reimbursement basis, but may be considered for an additional scholarship for a subsequent yearly period.
13. I did not receive a scholarship. May I reapply?
You may not reapply for the same event if your earlier application was for reimbursement of expenses for the event you attended. You may apply for a different event.
You may reapply for reimbursement of expenses for the same event if your earlier application was for advance funding and the event is within the eligibility period (refer to question #1 above).
14. I did not attend the event for which I received a scholarship. May I keep the scholarship and use it for a different event or other official expenses?
No. You may not keep the scholarship. It can be used only for the event and expenses for which it was approved. You must return the funds to the Foundation no later than thirty (30) days after the scheduled beginning date of the event. Failure to timely return the funds may result in your being ineligible for additional scholarships.
15. 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. Scholarship Committee decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
To view the form below, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To obtain a free Reader, follow this link:
Continuing Education Application Form
Masters of Library Science | Undergraduate | 2009 Awardees