You are invited to sponsor a scholarship.  With a gift to the Peace Scholarship Fund, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped make college possible for a young person who faced an unfair world. This is your chance to do something tangible and constructive for peace. The goal of these scholarships is to help low income students attend Edmonds Community College to enter careers that will uplift and unite the community.

How does a scholarship promote peace?

"If you want peace, seek justice."  It is unfair when poor students find that the military is their only career choice, whereas students from families of means always have more options. The goal of this program is to lower the barriers to college for ALL students. When a high school graduate has a choice of careers and chooses military service, that is a volunteer army. When a high school graduate’s choices are limited to enlistment for financial reasons, that is a draft - the most unfair kind of all.

What do you mean by community?

"Think globally, act locally." Peace is more than the absence of war, and we cannot get peace just by opposing war. We must create onditions where everyone can see that war is inappropriate and preparation for war is unnecesary. Peace is the condition of a community when all elements support each other. We can create that condition locally by supporting those who need it. When the world becomes a community and all support each other, we will have the peace we seek.

Who are elibible to receive Peace Action Scholarships?

Scholarships are awarded to those whose limited financial means might force them to enter the military or drop out of college. Two scholarships are currently offered. Peace Scholars are recent high school graduates (up to two years), preferably from South Snohomish County high schools, who will be or are enrolled at Edmonds CC. PACE (Peace Action Community Enrichment) Scholars are at-risk Edmonds CC adult high school diploma graduate/GED students who plan to transition into college degree/certificate programs at Edmonds CC.  These students have already dropped out of high school once and have returned to Edmonds CC to complete their education. In all cases, students must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA while receiving scholarship support.

What are scholarships used for?

Scholarships for students are only available for tuition, books and fees while the student is enrolled at Edmonds Community College. For a typical full-time student, the annual cost to attend the college is approximately $4,000 (excluding living expenses).

Who sponsors scholarships?

Inidividuals, families, organizations, in memory of ....Anyone who cares about peace.

How do I participate?

Your tax deductible check can be written to the Edmonds Community College Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. With a gift of $500 or more, you have the option to name and customize your own scholarship. Many are established in memory or in honor of a loved one or community leader. Personalized scholarships may be designated for students pursuing specific degrees or certificates – check the college’s website for a full list of areas of study. Named endowed scholarships that provide a lasting source of scholarship funding may also be established for $25,000.  Alternatively, you might want to make the contribution through your favorite tax deductible peace-oriented organization (with the organization's concurrence, of course).  You would still get the deduction, the organization would get the publicity, and bridges would be built  and strengthened within the peace community.

What is the time frame for scholarships?

Students begin their college planning in January, so for your scholarship to be listed in our presentation to them, Snohomish County Peace Action must have your commitment by November 30. Scholarships are awarded in late spring 2011 for the 2011-12 academic year. Donors to the scholarship fund receive a thank you letter from the student and will be invited to an annual reception for the scholarship students.

Why should I bother?

It's been said in lots of ways. If you don't vote, don't complain. (Bumper sticker)

It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter. (Martin Luther King, Jr)

Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only. (Saint James)

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. (US Air Force)

Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage. (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

In Germany, they first came for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak up. (Rev. Martin Niemöller)

If we don't work for big change now, we'll be working for small change later. (Jim Eachus)

More information about scholarships can be found at
http://foundation.edcc.edu/scholarships

To sponsor a scholarship, print the donor form and mail it with your check to the address on the form.