Overview
Current SHRM members pursuing a college degree or professional certification are eligible to apply for a scholarship. With generous underwriting from the J.J. Keller Foundation, the SHRM Foundation will award 100 scholarships to HR professionals in 2011, totaling $100,000.
20 academic scholarships ($2,000 each) and 80 certification scholarships ($750 each) will be awarded. Although each scholarship is a one-time award, previous applicants and past scholarship recipients are eligible to re-apply. The application deadline is July 15, 2011.
Volunteer committees in each SHRM region coordinate the judging process and select scholarship recipients. The $100,000 is allocated equally between the following five SHRM domestic regions:
1. Northeast Region.
2. Southeast Region
3. North Central Region.
4. Southwest Central Region.
5. Pacific West Region
Each group has $20,000 in scholarships to distribute annually, which means applicants compete only with other applicants in their own region. Sixteen certification scholarships and four academic scholarships will be awarded in each group.
Barbara Sanchez Scholarship
SHRM members working in the media industry* are eligible for an additional award: the Barbara Sanchez Scholarship. Five Barbara Sanchez Scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to SHRM members pursuing college degrees. For more information, visit the SHRM Foundation Web site (www.shrm.org/foundation) and select “Scholarships & Awards.” Eligible applicants may apply for both the Sanchez scholarship and a Foundation scholarship.
* SHRM members working in the print, publishing, cable & satellite, broadcasting, motion picture, Internet or communications field are eligible for this award.
Who Is Eligible?
• SHRM members* pursuing an undergraduate, masters or doctoral degree in HR or a related field, such as business or psychology. (Both full-time and part-time students are eligible.)
• SHRM members* working toward SPHR, GPHR, PHR or California certification.
• Affiliated SHRM chapters and state councils organizing local certification preparation programs for the SPHR, GPHR, PHR or California certification.
* Includes SHRM professional, general and associate members with active SHRM membership as of July 15, 2011. Student members and local-only members of chapters are not eligible for this program. Click here for information on scholarships for SHRM student members.
Scholarship Criteria
$2,000 Academic Scholarship
Scholarship recipients will be selected primarily on merit. Applicants must be working toward a graduate or undergraduate college degree in an HR-related field (includes business, psychology, industrial relations, etc.). Full-time, part-time, online and distance-learning programs at accredited institutions of higher learning are acceptable. Scholarships are for college degree programs only and may not be used to attend professional development seminars or workshops. Applicants will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• 50%....Work experience/progression (HR involvement and future career plans).
• 30%....Volunteer activity (SHRM experience preferred but not required).
• 20%....Financial need.
To be considered, applicants must submit the following information:
• Scholarship application.
• Response to essay question.
• Current resume.
• List of past volunteer leadership roles (SHRM or other), if any.
• Two letters of reference.
Note: Scholarship recipients will be required to provide a Social Security number or tax ID and evidence of acceptance or enrollment in a degree program.
$750 Certification Scholarship
Individual applicants
Individual recipients will be selected on the strength of their work experience and their commitment to a career in human resources. Scholarship funds may be used to purchase test-preparation materials, attend a certification-preparation seminar and/or pay the exam fee. In addition, individuals who have previously taken a certification exam during the 2011 calendar year are eligible to apply for reimbursement of exam-related expenses.
Award recipients must continue their certification preparation immediately following notification of the award. Individual applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• 40%....Work experience/progression (HR involvement and future career plans).
• 40%....Volunteer activity.
• 20%....Financial need.
To be considered, individual applicants must submit the following information:
• Scholarship application.
• Current resume.
• List of past volunteer leadership roles if any (SHRM or other).
• Brief essay discussing why applicant is seeking SPHR, GPHR, PHR or California certification and how it will enhance the applicant’s HR career. In addition, applicants should explain their financial need for the scholarship. The essay should not exceed two typed, double-spaced pages.
Certification-Chapters and state council applicants
Chapter and state council applications will be evaluated as follows:
• 50%....Plan for use of funds; program depth, reach and impact.
• 30%....Financial need.
• 20%....Matching funds available.
Additional weight will be given to chapters and state councils receiving matching funds or grants. Note: Funds may not be used for chapter or state scholarship programs.
Applications should include a description of the certification program and the following information:
• If an established program, the most current year results.
• Number of times per year the program is/was offered.
• Total cost to participants and approximate attendance.
• Total annual cost to the chapter/state council.
• Where the program is or will be offered.
• Matching funds available for program. (Be specific regarding sources and dollar amounts.)
Timeline
July 15, 2011—Application deadline
October 3, 2011—Applicants notified of results.
Scholarship checks will be distributed to winners in the fall after receipt of tax ID and enrollment verification (where applicable).
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the online application system. You may begin the application process, save your work and then complete the process at a later date. Your application must be completed and submitted by July 15 to be considered for an award. Questions? Contact Maureen Flaherty at (703) 535-6423 or SHRMScholarships@shrm.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am taking a certification exam this spring. Am I eligible for a scholarship?Yes. Scholarships are awarded just once each year, but if you sit for the exam in the same calendar year, you may apply for a certification scholarship to reimburse you for certification expenses. (You must also meet the other eligibility criteria.) For example, if you take the certification exam in May, you may apply for a scholarship in July of the same year.
Are local chapter members eligible to apply for a scholarship?
Regardless of local affiliation, applicants must have a current SHRM membership with a valid membership ID number as of July 15 to be eligible. If individuals have joined the local chapter but not SHRM, they are not eligible to apply.
Can a chapter or state council apply for scholarship funds?
Yes. A chapter or state council may apply for an award to support local SPHR, GPHR, PHR or California certification efforts.
Can I apply for a scholarship to attend a SHRM conference or seminar?
No. Academic scholarships will be awarded only to individuals pursing a graduate or undergraduate college degree. Academic scholarships may not be used to attend conferences, seminars or certificate programs. However, certification scholarships may be used to cover the cost of test preparation, including seminars.
I am attending a community college, but plan to transfer to a 4-year college to complete my degree. Am I eligible for an academic scholarship?
Yes. If you are working towards a 4-year degree, but currently attending a community college, you are eligible to apply. (You must also meet the other eligibility criteria.) Please be sure to explain your situation in your application essay.
I am working on my Ph.D. Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship? Yes, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements, you may apply for an academic scholarship. The SHRM Foundation also offers doctoral dissertation awards. Application information.
Am I required to have SHRM volunteer experience to apply for a scholarship?
No. Experience as a SHRM volunteer leader is preferred but not required. Judges will consider all factors as a whole when evaluating applicants. Strength in one area could outweigh deficits in another.
My degree program is not in human resources. Am I still eligible to apply?
If you meet the other eligibility requirements, yes. HR is a very broad field, so many degrees are related to HR in some way, including management, law, business, psychology, organizational development, industrial and labor relations, leadership, and others.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
Visit this website after April 1 to apply online. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Scholarships are awarded once each year. Application deadline is July 15.
The SHRM Foundation does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, national origin or citizenship in the administration of its grant and scholarship programs.
Employees or board members of SHRM, HRCI or the SHRM Foundation and members of their immediate family are not eligible to apply for SHRM Foundation grants, awards or scholarships.