Staff Scholarship Program

Mission

The System Offices Staff Council Scholarship Programs provide financial assistance to System Office budgeted employees pursuing a degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

History

The Staff Scholarship Program was created by the System Offices Staff Council in 2000 with a gift from Chancellor Howard Graves. The fund is supported by private gifts and various fundraising activities hosted by Staff Council. The number of graduate degree awards and level of funding will be based on the resources available, as determined by the Staff Council Scholarship Committee.

The Barry B. and Sandra Thompson ‘Brass Ring’ Endowed System Administrative and General Office Employee Scholarship was created to support employees in the continuation of their undergraduate degree educational achievement. The scholarship honors Chancellor Barry B. Thompson, and his wife Sandra, for years of dedicated service to higher education in the State of Texas.

Administrative

• The application window will open on the 1st Monday in October for Fall semester and the 1st Monday in March for Spring semester.
• All applications must be submitted no later than close of business on the 4th Monday of the specified month.
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Summer program will be offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters. In addition to the 3 program Fall and Spring application windows, the Summer TAP window will begin the 1st Monday of June and close the 4th Monday of June.

Applicant and Program Eligibility / Requirements

The Staff Scholarship Requirements

1. Budgeted System Office employees / regardless of percent effort or length of employment with the System Offices
2. Enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education / include documentation indicating the employee is enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education and enrollment verification dated no earlier than the application open date.
3. Staff Scholarship Essay / One typed page. Attach as a pdf.
   • Describe your employment history with the System Offices or its members. (Years of service, positions, etc.)
   • Describe your higher education experience including your major, hours completed towards degree and expected graduation date.
   • Discuss your career goals upon completion of your education.
   • Any other information you feel would be important to the committee’s consideration of your request.
4. Applications must be reviewed and approved by the applicant’s department head.

The Barry B Thompson Requirements

1. Budgeted employee of the System Offices
2. Enrolled in an institution of higher education pursuing a first-time associate or bachelor’s degree (Enrollment verification is required from the applicant)
3. Previous recipients will receive priority.
4. Years of service to the System or its Members
5. Progress towards the attainment of a degree
6. Completion of ‘Brass Ring’ Essay / One typed page. Attach as a pdf.
   • Describe your employment history with the System Offices or its members. (Years of service, positions, etc.)
   • Describe your higher education experience including your major, hours completed towards degree and expected graduation date.
   • Discuss your career goals upon completion of your education.
   • Any other information you feel would be important to the committee’s consideration of your request.
7. Applications must be reviewed and approved by the applicant’s department head.

The Tuition Assistance Program Requirements

1. Be admitted to a degree‐seeking program at any A&M System university and enrolled in courses pertaining to that degree (graduate or undergraduate)
   • Be employed in a full‐time position adloc’d to System Offices / Have a minimum of 12 months of service within System Offices prior to the end of the semester in which they are enrolled and would be receiving tuition assistance.
2. Be employed with System Offices through the 12th class day of the semester in which the tuition assistance benefit is received.
   • Payment is not made until after the 12th day of class, so student will need to plan accordingly based on the school’s payment requirements.
3. Be in good academic standing and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate courses.
   • Tuition assistance program does not apply to any position/title where student status is a requirement.
   • Tuition assistance program applies to the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
4. Class attendance will not interfere with the accomplishments of duties or the work of the department.

Application Process

Program applications must be submitted to the Staff Council Scholarship Committee via the following: