Scholarship Fund

I. Purpose

The purpose of the Vision Forum Scholarship Fund is to provide financially subsidized educational and training opportunities at Vision Forum Ministries events for qualified applicants:

II. Qualified Events

The Vision Forum Scholarship Fund Program is applicable for the following Vision Forum events:

1. The Christian Filmmakers Academy
2. The Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy
3. San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
4. The Father and Son Discipleship Retreat
5. The Father and Daughter Discipleship Retreat
6. The Faith and Freedom Tour

III. Qualified Applicants:

1. Character and Community Service: Qualified applicants who demonstrate merit and unusual character qualities through service in the area of family, community or church service.
2. Financial Need: Qualified applicants who will be benefited by the program and who demonstrate financial need.

IV. Scholarship Awards

1. The Vision Forum Scholarship Fund is maintained and subsidized by direct grants of our donors to the program. Additional funding comes from Vision Forum Ministries general fund.
2. Funds permitting, Vision Forum Ministries seeks to make partial or full scholarships available to a minimum of fifty individuals a year.

V. Application Process

1. Review Board: All applications for Vision Forum Scholarship Fund are reviewed by the Vision Forum Scholarship Review Board.
2. Timely Submission: Applicants must submit their requests for scholarship in a timely manner. Normally this means that the Review Board is in receipt of the application for scholarship no later than three months prior to the event. Exceptions to the deadline are granted for exceptional circumstances.
3. Application Process: Scholarships are offered to students on either the basis of financial need or merit. Applicants for a scholarship must submit the following:
1. Financial Need Applicant: Applicant must submit an essay, not to exceed three typed, double-spaced pages, which explains:
1. The financial need of the applicant; and
2. Their reason for wanting to attend the specific event.
2. Merit Applicant: Applicants must submit an essay not to exceed two typed, double spaced pages which explains his desire for attending the event, and three letters of recommendation including at least one from a pastor, employer or community leader, which indicate the length of time they have known the candidate, the circumstances of their relationship and outline specific ways in which the scholarship candidate:
1. Has demonstrated strong character qualities;
2. Has served his family, his community or his church.
3. Review Board Discretion: The scholarship review board reserves the right to waive specific requirements in the application process in consideration of special circumstances.
4. Notification: The Review Board will make their decision known to qualified applicants no later than one month prior to the event.

VI. Special Category: Public Officials

1. In the case of the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, and the Faith and Freedom Tour, a limited number of scholarships are available to judges, state representatives, and other elected office holders who want to advance their legal education.
2. Where permitted by statute or regulation, and where applicable to the candidate, the event may be used for continuing legal education purposes.
3. Applicants must submit a document not to exceed two double-spaced, typed pages which explains their position and reason for wanting to attend the event.
4. There is no discrimination based on political affiliation.