Scholarships

2009 Scholarship Applications Process is now closed. It ran May 1-June 6, 2009.

 

History of United’s Scholarship Program

United Cooperative Services created a scholarship award program to encourage and assist in the educational pursuits of United Cooperative Services members and their families.

More than 20 years ago, United Cooperative Services awarded its first scholarships to local high school students and returning college students.  United made the funds available with the idea in mind to reinvest into the communities it serves.  In those first years, United awarded one scholarship to one student at each high school in its service area. 

In 1997, new funds were made available by House Bill 3203, which allows not-for-profit electric cooperatives like United to put unclaimed funds to use for student scholarships.  This change in the law allowed United to take advantage of money previously lost in the state’s general revenue fund and reinvest it locally with a greater and broader impact.  That year, United awarded $500 scholarships to 10 students and the next year, 29 scholarships worth $1,000 each were awarded.

In 2009, United will award $50,000 in scholarships broken down as follows: 10 $2,500 scholarships, three $5,000 college scholarships and one fortunate student will win a $10,000 college scholarship!

To date, more than 780 students have received United scholarships totaling more than $820,000 in award money. Winners are chosen from numerous applicants area-wide based on financial need, leadership, community involvement and school activities.  Applicants must live at the residence of their parents or legal guardians who are active United members at their principle residence. 

Scholarship Criteria

Graduating high school seniors must:

  • Be an active member of United or be claimed as a dependent of parents or legal guardians who are active United members at their principle residence.
  • Graduate high school with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  High school counselors must certify the accuracy of the GPA by signature and date. Home school students must provide a copy of their transcript from high school level coursework.
  • Meet the general entrance requirements at an accredited four-year university, junior college or TEA approved trade school of their choice.
  • One-page typed personal essay explaining community and school service, financial need and seriousness of purpose
  • Applicant must have one letter of recommendation sent to the cooperative (eg. from a teacher, administrator, etc.).

Current college students must:

  • Be an active member of United or be claimed as a dependent of parents or legal guardians who are active United members at their principle residence.
  • Provide proof of 2.0 post-secondary grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student (12 semester hours minimum) at an accredited four-year university, junior college, or TEA approved trade school.
  • One-page typed personal essay explaining community and school service, financial need and seriousness of purpose
  • Applicant must have one letter of recommendation sent to the cooperative (eg. from a teacher, administrator, etc.).

After receiving a United Energy Scholarship, students must: 

  • Be enrolled as a full-time college student (12 semester hours minimum).
  • Provide proof of enrollment and coursework at the beginning of each semester and proof of grades at the end of each semester in order to receive next scholarship disbursement.
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA.
  • Apply the scholarship money toward tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies or equipment required for coursework.

Scholarship Award Information

  • Award is based on financial need (60 percent weight) and leadership, community service and school activities (40 percent weight).
  • United will award 14 scholarships in 2009.
  • United will award 10 scholarships valued at $2,500 each. 
  • United will award 3 scholarships valued at $5,000 each. 
  • One additional scholarship will be awarded valued at $10,000.

§         The students with the 4 highest accumulated point totals, as determined by the committee, who plan to attend an accredited four-year university will win the $5,000 and $10,000 awards.

§         Students who attend a junior college or trade school will not be eligible for these larger awards.  

§         Any ties in grading will be broken according to the grade given for financial need.

§         These students (or their legal guardians) must maintain membership with United at principle residence. 

  • Applications will be submitted to the selection committee in an anonymous format and graded on the listed criteria.
  • Scholarship money must be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies and/or equipment required for coursework at an accredited or TEA approved educational institution.  Scholarship money may not be used for housing or living expenses.
  • Recipient is required to submit proof of previous semester’s coursework and cumulative minimum 2.5 high school or 2.0 college GPA.
  • If recipient’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, or if the recipient fails to register as a full-time student for the spring semester, the scholarship recipient will be placed on probationary status and United reserves the right to withhold the scholarship payment until probationary issues are resolved.  If probationary issues continue beyond one semester, any unpaid scholarship funds will be revoked.  If a student fails to register for coursework or submit documentation to United, the scholarship for that semester will be revoked.

Financial Information

  • Each $2,500 scholarship is paid in two $1,250 installments, for a total per student per lifetime of $2,500.
  • United will award the first installment of $1,250, payable to the school’s financial aid or business office, at an awards dinner in August 2009.  The second installment will be mailed directly to the recipient’s school of choice.
  • Recipient is required to submit proof of spring enrollment and sustained 2.0 GPA from fall semester to qualify for the second installment of $1,250.  Payment will be made to the school’s financial aid or business office after all documentation is provided to United.
  • United will award to the $5,000 recipients the first installment of $2,500, payable to the school’s financial aid or business office, at the the August 2009 awards dinner. The second installment will be mailed directly to the recipient’s school of choice.
  • Recipient is required to submit proof of spring enrollment and sustained 2.0 GPA from fall semester to qualify for the second installment of $2,500.  Payment will be made to the school’s financial aid or business office after all documentation is provided to United.
  • The winner of the $10,000 scholarship will be paid in disbursements of $2,500 over the course of four long semesters (fall and spring) in which they are full-time students after appropriate documentation is provided.  The two winners of the $5,000 scholarship will be paid in disbursements of $2,500 over the course of two long semesters in which they are full-time students after appropriate documentation is provided. 

 Other Scholarship Criteria

  • All scholarship applications must be submitted electronically through United’s Web site at www.united-cs.com.  Any additional documentation (as outlined in the application) that cannot be submitted electronically must be mailed to the address below or delivered in person to any United office.
  • United’s Board of Directors, employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicant may apply as often as desired, but may only receive a United scholarship once.
  • Applicant must have one letter of recommendation sent to the cooperative (eg. from a teacher, administrator, etc.).
  • Applications will be submitted to the selection committee in an anonymous format and graded on the criteria mentioned above.
  • All items submitted become the property of United Cooperative Services.
  • Applicants may call (817) 556-4000 or e-mail scholarships@united-cs.com to verify the online application and supporting documents were received. 
  • Electronic applications will be accepted from May 1 through June 6, 2009.  Students will not be able to submit an application before or after these dates.  Supplemental documents as required and outlined in the application may be delivered in person to any United office or sent by mail to: 

United Energy Scholarship
P.O. Box 16
Cleburne, TX 76033