Exploring Scholarships and Awards

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Any young adult is eligible for the Young American Award and all youth participating in the high school Learning for Life or Exploring program can apply for an array of the following awards.

ANY YOUNG ADULT

Lifesaving or Meritorious Award

Young American Award - [DOC] (5/$7,500 National Award): First presented in 1968, the award is given to students who have started freshman year in college through age 25 who have achieved excellence in the fields of art, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, literature, music, math, religion, science, or service and have been involved in service to their community, state, or country that adds to the quality of life. Each council selects and submits their best nominees for consideration for the five national awards.

Congressional Award: An adult advisor, whom you choose, helps you set challenging but a achievable goals in the four program areas. Once you've achieved your goals, you summarize them on a Recommendation Form. You'll receive a letter, which will let you know when your Senator and /or member of Congress will present you with your medal and certificate.

Career Achievement Award Program: The Learning for Life Career Achievement Award program allows young people to be recognized for community service and to acquire and be recognized for career proficiency achievement in either arts & humanities, aviation, business, communications, engineering, fire & emergency service, health, law & government, law enforcement, science, skilled trades, social services, or all 12 career clusters. It gives Explorers and student participants distinguished credentials for their resume.

Leadership Award Program: Leadership Award is given to youth and adults who have given exceptional dedication and leadership to the youth participants in either the Learning for Life or Exploring Program.

ADULT LEADERS AND PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

William H. Spurgeon, III Award: The William H. Spurgeon, III Award was developed in 1971 in honor of the man who is regarded as the major leader in the development of special interest Exploring. Mr. Spurgeon was a business executive at the Irvine Company in Southern California who personally organized many special interest posts in the 1960's. Mr. Spurgeon served for many years as a member of the National Council Executive Board and national Exploring Committee. His pioneering efforts led to the present contemporary Exploring Program. He devoted much of the late 1960's to promoting Exploring and is particularly remembered as a dynamic speaker for Exploring Impact Plan luncheons across America. Mr. Spurgeon passed away in 1970.

Russell C. Hill Award: The Russell C. Hill Award was established in 1999 to honor Hill's outstanding achievement in the character education field. Russell Chilton Hill was a prominent San Antonio, Texas businessman who spent much of his time and fortune in promoting Character Education based on his "Freedoms Code" which earned him the Freedom Foundation's Honor Medal. Hill made a pledge to fight for public support in the development of character in the youth of our nation. Learning for Life establishes this award to honor Hill's outstanding achievement in the character education field.

EXPLORING SCHOLARSHIPS

Youth participating in the Exploring program may apply for the following scholarships:

AVIATION EXPLORING

National Aviation Explorer Scholarships (10/$3,000 to $10,000): The National Aviation Exploring Committee awards individual scholarships between $3,000 and $10,000 annually to aviation Explorers pursuing a career in the aviation industry. The intent of these scholarships is to identify and reward those individuals who best exemplify the qualities that lead to success in the aviation industry. Type of aviation Explorer scholarships: degree leading to an aviation profession, avionics repair program, recreational or pilot certificate, maintenance aircraft repair program, and aviation management program to include design, engineering, airport management, etc.

FIRE SERVICE EXPLORING

IAFCF Scholarship (Fire Service, $500): The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation coordinates a yearly $500 scholarship program to assist Explorers in pursuing a career in the fire sciences.

LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORING

National Youth Representative Scholarship: Law Enforcement Exploring will provide a scholarship to the outgoing National Youth Representative at the National Law Enforcement Conference.

ATFAR Scholarship (Law Enforcement, $1,000): The retiree's association of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) offers scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Scholarships are presented every year to Law Enforcement Explorers

Capt. James J. Regan Scholarship (Law Enforcement, $1,000): The National Technical Investigators Association presents two one-time $500 scholarships annually. Criteria include academic record, leadership, extracurricular activities, and a personal statement.

DEA Drug Abuse Prevention Service Award (Law Enforcement, $1,000): The DEA Drug Abuse Prevention Service Award consists of an engraved plaque and a $1,000 award, which will be presented in recognition of "an act or actions representing a contribution of outstanding service in drug abuse prevention." For more information, see the workbook (PDF - 3.7MB) for this award.

Federal Criminal Investigators' Service Award (Law Enforcement, $500): Federal Criminal Investigators Association recognizes Explorers who render outstanding service to law enforcement agencies with a $500 U.S. Savings bond and plaque.

Sheryl A. Horak Memorial Scholarship (Law Enforcement, $1,000): This merit-based award involves a $1,000, one-time scholarship. The award also includes a plaque and pin.

Law Enforcement Exploring Community Crime Prevention Award: The International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners provides an annual recognition of Explorer posts that exhibit outstanding support of their communities. Includes a plaque and pin.

Law Enforcement Exploring Proficiency Awards: Provides an opportunity for posts and their Explorers to earn recognition in community service, crime prevention, law enforcement service, law enforcement training, firearms training, emergency preparedness, tenure and Explorer of the Year.

SKILLED TRADES EXPLORING

AFL-CIO Skill Trades Scholarship (Skill Trades, 2/$1,000): The AFL-CIO presents two $1,000 scholarships annually to Explorers to help them support their education toward a career in skilled trades.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES

The United States Department of Education's Web site on Federal Student Aid (studentaid.ed.gov) provides a wealth of information about grants, loans, and other forms of support available from the United States government.