FARMERS-MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK OF PAXTON SCHOLARSHIP

Administered by
The Paxton-Buckley-Loda Education Foundation

 

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MAIL WITH A POSTMARK DATED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2008, TO:

PBL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
FMNB Scholarship
P.O. Box 192
Paxton, Illinois 60957

Background

The Farmers-Merchants National Bank, with offices in Paxton and Melvin, has provided financial services to the area since 1914. In keeping with its tradition of community service and commitment to the education of future civic and business leaders, the Farmers-Merchants National Bank of Paxton established an educational scholarship to be given annually beginning in the 1999-2000 school year.  The award is established to assist a graduating high school senior living within the Paxton-Buckley-Loda or Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school districts to continue his/her education beyond high school at a university, college, or trade/vocational school. The Paxton-Buckley-Loda Education Foundation will administer the application and selection process for the award of one $8,000.00 scholarship, which will consist of up to four $2,000 annual award payments made to the institution of higher education where the student is enrolled.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Eligible applicants include graduating high school senior students who are residents of either the Paxton-Buckley-Loda or Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school districts, regardless of where they attend school.

Applicants must have maintained a minimum of a 3.0 (based on 4.0) grade point average through the seventh semester of high school.

Applicants must plan to enroll full time at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or trade/vocational school. (Proof of enrollment will be required for release of scholarship payment after the award is announced.)

The recipient will be selected on the basis of three equally-weighted selection criteria:
1. Academic achievement as evidenced by grade point average (seventh semester), class rank, and test scores.
2. Participation and leadership in community, school, and work experience activities.
3. Written narrative essay.
Financial need will not be a criteria for selection.

To continue to receive annual $2,000 scholarship installments, award winners must supply proof of "C" average or better while maintaining full-time student status and proof of continuing enrollment.

Application Procedures and Timeline

Applicants must submit a typed application form, consisting of four parts: Cover Sheet/Student Information; Academic Information; Extra-Curricular Activities; and Essay.
NOTE: Student's name should appear ONLY in the first section (Cover Page/Student Information).
A student identification number will be assigned by the Foundation Scholarship Committee.

Applications should be MAILED WITH A POSTMARK DATED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2008, to:

PBL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
P.O. BOX 192
PAXTON, IL  60957

The PBL Education Foundation Scholarship Committee (including four members appointed by and representing the PBL Education Foundation and GCMS Education Foundation) will evaluate finalist applications. The PBL Education Foundation Board will announce and make the scholarship award during May at a public presentation.