“Eligible Persons” are (1) Employees, children of Employees, spouses of Employees, or grandchildren of Employees, and (2) meet the minimum standards for admission to a post-secondary educational institution. An Eligible Person will be in the group of potential Fund scholarship grantees without regard to the position or duties of the Employee. An “Employee” is defined in the Fund as every active, retired, or deceased individual who has worked an average of at least 1,000 hours per year in any port in Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana during the last three years of active employment for an Employer. An “Employer” is defined in the Fund as a regular or affiliate member of the West Gulf Maritime Association that employs I.L.A. labor pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, the Port of Houston Authority, or the South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO or any of its local union affiliates that provide labor to a regular or affiliate member of the West Gulf Maritime Association that employs I.L.A. labor pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.

Thank you for your participation in the J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund for this cycle. Your contribution will help students to achieve their higher academic goals more affordably. As an introduction, there are thirty (30) academic scholarships awarded. They include:

• • Eighteen (18) academic scholarships to any institution
  • Up to 9 vocational or trade scholarships
    • If there are not enough vocational applicants, these revert to academic scholarships
  • One Scardasis maritime award given to an applicant that
    • 1) Meets the qualifications of the J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund and
    • 2) Applied to a maritime academy or entered into maritime studies.
    • If there is no qualifying applicant, then given to the second highest scorer.

SCORING

For those sections with 0‐5 ratings, please use the following as a guide when evaluating the applications:

5‐Outstanding: All of the applicant’s application materials exemplify superior or exceptional characteristics that contribute to the specific criterion.

4‐Excellent:‐The applicant’s application materials illustrate extremely strong, but not exceptional, characteristics contributing to the standard. The reviewer may have a reservation, but there are redeeming features to compensate for or outweigh the reservation.

3‐Strong: The applicant’s application materials demonstrate strong characteristics; however, the reviewer may have reservations.

2‐Average: While the applicant’s application materials are satisfactory, the reviewer may have major reservations. Certain evaluation characteristics related to the criterion are not present.

1‐Below Average: The applicant’s application lacks certain requested materials. The materials present are not satisfactory.

0‐Weak: The applicant’s application is considerably incomplete with inadequate materials present.

1. Academic Rating ‐50.0 Maximum Points

Part A: National Test Scores‐25.0 Points (high school applicants applying to a higher education institution only)  

Standardized test submission is optional. If not submitted, GPA will be weighted.

Table 1: Test Scores

Part B: Academic Achievement Points 5 X 5 = 25 Maximum Points for current high school students (for continuing higher ed or trade applicants the maximum is 50 pts [GPA X 10])

Academic Achievement ‐ Refer to the applicant’s transcript. Unofficial transcripts are allowed.

Grade Point Average (GPA) use actual GPA

• Less than 2.0 = 0
• 0 to 2.5 = 1
• 6 to 3.0 = 2
• 1 to 3.4 = 3
• 5 to 3.9 = 4
• 0 and above = 5

2. Essay Rating- 25 Maximum Points

Rate the applicant based on the mechanics, style, and content of the essay. Essays should be clearly written and well organized and should sustain a well‐focused discussion. The essay should enable you to get to know the applicant better.

3. Extracurricular/Volunteer Activities- 10 Maximum Points

Part A: Extracurricular Activities Points School Related and office held: 5 points max

When evaluating this section, please consider the following:

• Participated in one or more extracurricular activities
• Leadership role in one extracurricular activity
• Leadership role in more than one extracurricular activity

Part B: Volunteer/Community Services and office held: 5 points max

When evaluating this section, please consider the following:

• Participant in one or more community services
• Leadership role in a community service activity
• Leadership role in more than one community service

4. Letters of Recommendation- 15 Maximum Points

The rater should consider the following when determining point allocations:

• The extent to which the writer provided specific examples of the student’s attributes
• The depth and breadth of the qualities being described
• Evidence of unusual or remarkably distinctive qualities or attributes
• Clarity of relationship
• The extent to which the writer knows the applicant well enough to make the claims being made

Total Score- 100 Maximum Points

Each member of the panel will score the application. After each member has scored the application, you must average the scores of the entire panel to get the final score for the applicant.