Guistwhite Scholarship Program

Eligibility | Application | Disbursements | 2013 Recipients | Contact

The purpose of this merit-based program is to recognize the scholarly achievements of Phi Theta Kappa members and enhance members' attainment of baccalaureate degrees. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership accomplishment and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs.

Up to 20 members will receive scholarships of $5,000 each, for completion of baccalaureate degrees, awards totaling $100,000. To be eligible, a student must post a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and transfer to a college or university upon completion of coursework at a community college. In addition, certain criteria will be required in order to maintain the scholarship (see the disbursements section below).

The awards are named in honor of Dr. Jack Guistwhite and his wife, Margaret. Dr. Guistwhite developed the first transfer scholarship designated exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant must be enrolled at community college through December 2013.
  • Applicant must be an active member of Phi Theta Kappa.
  • Applicant must be on track to earn a bachelor's degree. Students need to have a minimum of 45 semester (or 60 quarter) college-level credits completed at or transferred to a community college by December 31, 2013 and 53 semester college-level credits (or 79.5 quarter credits) by August 31, 2014. (Courses must be college-level. Developmental or remedial coursework, such as pre-algebra or basic writing, will be removed when determining number of credits as well as cumulative GPA.)
  • Applicant must have a minimum of 30 semester college level credits (or 45 quarter credits) completed at a community college in the last five years (fall 2007 - present).
  • Applicant must hold a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all college-level coursework completed in the last five years (fall 2007 - present), regardless of institution attended. If the student has attended more than one school, transcripts may be recalculated to determine the cumulative GPA for all college-level coursework taken. GPA is evaluated at the point of application and the student must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA through the fall 2013 semester to remain eligible.
  • The applicant should expect to transfer to a four-year institution in 2014. At the time of transfer to a regionally accredited four-year institution, the student must be admitted with junior-level status in his/her major program of study and be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester. If selected as a scholar, proof of enrollment at a senior institution will be requested.
  • The student must hold temporary or permanent residency in the country of the community college the student is attending or possess a visa considered appropriate by the college. Please see the student application for acceptable documents verifying proof of citizenship.
  • Must have a community college record free of suspension, probation or other serious disciplinary action. Nominee must not have a criminal record, and if a convicted felon must have all conditions of sentencing, including probation, completed.

Application

Completed applications should be submitted through the Fall Common Application available online between October 1 and December 2. Late applications will not be considered. The application and all supporting documentation will only be accepted online.

Disbursements

  • The awards are disbursed in four equal payments of $1,250 per semester for full-time students.
  • Awards for part-time students will be disbursed in payments of $625 per semester for Scholars taking 6-8 hours and $925 per semester for Scholars taking 9-11 hours.
  • These amounts will be awarded until the total amount of the scholarship has been disbursed.
  • If the student attends an institution that operates on other than a semester basis, the equivalent institutional definitions will prevail.
  • Certain criteria will be required in order to maintain the scholarship (e.g. 3.0 GPA, no incomplete coursework, minimum enrollment of 6 credit hours, etc.). If selected as a scholar, full details will be provided with winner notification materials.

Contact

For more information about the Guistwhite Scholarship Program, contact scholarship.programs@ptk.org or 601.987.5741.