Branch Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2008 Branch Scholarship recipients!!

Kayvan Mahramzadeh - USC
Petter Jonna - UCLA
Joy Park - UCLA

Look for our 2009 scholarship application coming October 2008

PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are presented by the Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch (“Branch”) through the Student Activities Committee (SAC).  The policies and procedures for awarding the Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch Scholarship(s) are as follows:

• Student Eligibility:
• National Student Members of ASCE who are also members of the ASCE Student Chapters located in the Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch assigned area.  Presently the following schools are the responsibility of the Branch.
• California State University, Los Angeles
• California State University, Northridge
• Loyola Marymount University
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Southern California
• Full-time students, with a declared major in Civil Engineering, with one year or less remaining until graduation at the time of submitting an application will be considered.  The respective ASCE Student Chapter Faculty Advisor approves all applications.
• Procedure for Submitting Application
• The SAC will supply application forms to the Faculty Advisor during October of each year.  An additional copy of the notice will be mailed to the Student Chapter presidents at the same time.  The Branch Scholarship and its application will also be available online at www.metrolabranch.com
• The Faculty Advisor will be requested in writing to distribute the forms among aspiring students.  The top right corner of the forms will indicate the deadline for submittal of the forms (normally, late January or early February but left to the discretion of the SAC).
• The student will submit the completed application form and essay to the Faculty Advisor.  The Faculty Advisor will ensure the student’s eligibility, check for completeness and accuracy of the forms, sign the form, and forward to SAC by the deadline.
• A maximum of three applicants from each University, approved by the Faculty Advisor, may apply.  Past recipients of this Scholarship will not be eligible to apply.
• Action by the Branch and the SAC
• The SAC Chair may designate a special Sub-Committee for the processing and evaluation of the applications.
• The Committee shall evaluate all submitted applications within a time specified after consideration of the application due date and the date of the schedule of the awarding of the scholarship(s). 
• Candidates short-listed from the evaluation will be informed in writing by the Committee Chair, and asked to appear for an interview, possibly in mid March.  The time and date will be arranged in consultation with the student applicant based on the time frame of the award of the scholarship(s).  Typically, each student should be interviewed for about 30 minutes.
• Prior to conducting the interviews, the Committee Chair will contact the Branch Treasurer to determine the funds available.
• Eligible candidates will be selected based on the completed application and the interview.  The intent of the scholarship is to recognize the educational excellence, leadership qualities and the student’s activities outside of the engineering curriculum.  The following criteria shall be used in the evaluation:
• 30 %            Academic Achievement
• 30 %            Participation in ASCE Activities
• 30 %            Indicated Interest in Civil Engineering as a Profession
• 10 %            Potential for Leadership
• After the interview, the Committee will deliberate on the recipients and the amount for each award.  Considerable weight will be given to any applicant who has written and submitted a Mead Essay under the criteria and guidelines determined by the Committee on Student Activities.  The Committee Chair will then write to the Branch Board of Directors (Board) prior to the Spring Student Night of each year, notifying them of the Committee’s recommendations.
• The Board will review the recommendations of the Committee as to the scholarship recipients and the amount of the awards.  The Board will notify the recipients of the scholarships after the selection.  This notification will invite the recipient to the annual Younger Member Forum (YMF) Student Night/Job Fair in the spring and include the amount of the award.  The actual amount of the award will be sent as a check to the recipient, in the following Fall Semester/Quarter, after the recipient provides proof of enrollment for the Fall Semester/Quarter for undergraduates and proof of graduation for those receiving their degree that spring to the Branch Treasurer.
• The scholarship recipients will receive certificates of commendation at the time of the award announcement at the annual YMF Student Night/Job Fair in the spring.