The Jean Emerson Scholarship provides financial assistance for higher education to Schoharie County residents enrolled in the human services fields.
Two scholarships of up to $1,000 per calendar year will be available annually to individuals who plan to pursue or continue their career in providing care, education or assistance to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
Eligible candidates must be accepted or enrolled into an accredited college, university, or accredited online college program. The scholarship will be prorated for students who are enrolled part time. Fulltime students are defined as those students enrolled in 15 or more credit hours per semester. Recipient are eligible to reapply for the scholarship annually.
How to Apply:
The completed application form, which is available from the Guidance Office, MUST be accompanied by:
– Two letters of recommendation (one personal and one educational/professional)
– An essay of no more than 1,000 words stating your reasons for pursuing a career working with people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities as well as your professional goals.
Deadline for Application
Applications must be received by the Schoharie Arc by Friday, May 3, 2019. The address is on the application form and below.
Awarding of Funds
The Schoharie Arc will award up to $500 to full-time scholarship recipients at the end of each successfully completed semester. (The scholarship will be prorated for students who are enrolled part time.)
In order to receive funds, recipients must submit the registrar’s notification that they have successfully completed the course work at the completion of each semester to:
Schoharie Arc Foundation,
PO Box 307
Schoharie, NY 12157
About Jean Emerson
The Jean Emerson Scholarship Award honors Jean Emerson and her outstanding and dedicated service to the Schoharie Arc and the field of education.
Jean was a pioneer in the field of education and higher learning. During her career, Jean was chair of the Early Childhood Department at SUNY Cobleskill. Under her direction, SUNY Cobleskill developed one of the first successful Head Start Programs, which became a national model.
Jean often stated that the key to knowledge is in the pursuit of education. She was a fierce advocate for the human and civil rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
A member of the Schoharie Arc Board of Directors from 1975 to 1993, Jean served as a active member on many committees. Jean also was a Board of Governor Representative for NYSARC, Inc. from 1982 to 1987, serving on a number of NYSARC committees as well.