General Information

On October 3, 2003, the Southern Illinois Park and Recreation Association (SIPRA) established and funded an educational grant/scholarship program designed to assist individuals who wish to further their educational endeavors. In October of 2008 SIPRA established the “Otto Rice Memorial” scholarship honoring a fellow park and recreation professional that died unexpectedly leaving a legacy of professional commitment to the Park and Recreation Profession. In the last several years, SIPRA has lost two more intricate members of their community. George Whitehead and Mark Badasch have been added to the memorial scholarship program.

Annually hereafter, once the money has been earmarked and set aside, and whenever a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received, three scholarships of $1,000.00 each shall be awarded to undergraduate (juniors/seniors) or graduate students enrolled in a four year university level recreation, sport management, forestry, or outdoor education curriculum.

Payment of the awards will be made in late spring of 2019.

Applications must be postmarked by April 19th, 2019.

Eligibility

• Have an academic and professional interest in the area of park, recreation, conservation, therapeutic recreation or other local community based leisure services such as park districts, park and recreation departments and special recreation associations.
• Be in attendance and enrolled at a four year university-level or masters level park, recreation or leisure studies curriculum.
• Have a minimum overall 2.5 out of a 4.0 grade point average for all courses of study.
• Have a minimum 3.25 grade point average out of a 4.0 scale in their required recreation major courses of study.

Downloads

• Download the SIPRA Student Scholarship Application here.

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