ERNEST “DEAN” MENARD SCHOLARSHIPS A major part of NCMA’s mission is education. The San Diego Chapter awards scholarships to assist and encourage individuals interested in a career in contracts management.
The Chapter’s scholarship program is named in honor of Dean Menard. In 1962, the San Diego Chapter became the second chartered NCMA chapter in the United States; Dean was one of the Charter Members.
Throughout his years of service to NCMA, Dean received several NCMA national awards including two Pony Express Awards. In 1982, the National Education Award honored his efforts in establishing the Contract Management Certificate Program at SDSU College of Extended Studies. The Certificate Progam was one of Dean's many contributions to the contracts community and embodies his dedication to mentoring up-and-coming contracts professionals.
Scholarship Award Amounts & Financial Considerations
Scholarship awards to successful applicants range from $200 to $1,000, depending on the strength of the application and the scholarship funds available at the time. If your application is successful, you will be awarded a scholarship to reimburse you, up to the scholarship amount, for: (i) contracts management-related courses that you complete at a regionally accredited institution; or (ii) NCMA certification designation(s) that you obtain. Scholarships for both purposes are for work completed after the date of the application. Notification of the award will be made upon approval by the Chapter Board. Successful completion of the course or proof of certification designation achievement will be required before disbursement of award.
Financial need is not a basis of award. However, scholarships are awarded only to students that do not have full funding available from their employer or from other scholarships, grants, etc.
What must be included with the Scholarship Application?
Your scholarship application package MUST INCLUDE the following:
COVER LETTER which includes: (i) your contact information and the name of your current employer (if any); (ii) the specifics of your intended use of scholarship funds (e.g., the course, when and where you will take the course and approximate total costs); (iii) whether any other reimbursement is available to you; (iv) whether you are currently an NCMA member; (v) the statement demonstrating your commitment or interest in contracts management; (vi) identification of any prior scholarships received from NCMA, including but not limited to, the San Diego Chapter; and (vii) statement of permission to make public your name, amount of scholarship received, and use made of scholarship funds [which may include completion date and where the course was taken].
CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT ESSAY(Double-spaced)
LETTER OF REFERENCE - At least ONE letter of reference must be included with scholarship application. Additional information that demonstrates work or academic achievement is optional.
How are Scholarship Applications Evaluated?
How are Scholarship Applications Evaluated?
Scholarship applications are evaluated in four areas:
1.Essay on a subject in the field of contracts management.
2.Applicant’s commitment to, or demonstrated interest in, the field of contracts management.
3.Applicability of the course(s) for which the scholarship is requested to the field of contracts management.
4.General qualities and accomplishments of the applicant, such as character, work performance and/or academic achievement.
**Each application must be complete in each of these four areas in order to be considered. Please view the following guidance regarding each area:
1.Essay on Contracts Management For academic courses:Write an essay, not exceeding 1,000 words, on any topic of your choice relating to contracts management. Topics might include such subjects as professionalism, a technical topic in contracts management, a summary of an article or paper, etc.
For NCMA certifications:Write an essay, not exceeding 1,000 words, on a topic of your choice relating to the emphasis area of the specific certification (e.g., an application for CCCM should relate to commercial, not government, contracting).
2.Commitment or Interest in Field of Contracts Management Write, as part of your application cover letter, a brief statement that demonstrates your commitment or interest in a career in contracts management. You might include such things as your professional aspirations or academic goals, your participation in NCMA or similar activities, or your work in the field of contracts management. Provide any information that you wish to address this topic.
3.Applicability to the Field of Contracts Management Identify how the academic course, or courses, for which a scholarship is requested, relate(s) to the field of contracts management. This could be as simple as stating that the course leads to a certificate in contracts management or is a course in contracts law. Or, identify the NCMA certification for which anapplication has been submitted and approved (note: approval is for examinations taken within one (1) year after the date of approval).
4.Character, Work Ethic and Performance, Academic Achievement Applications for reimbursement of course costs:Provide a letter of reference from someone who knows well your character, work and/or study ethic. You may provide up to two additional letters of reference and any other information that demonstrates work or academic achievement, such as a resume, transcript of grades or a statement of work achievements (not necessarily in the field of contracts management).
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Applications for reimbursement of NCMA certification costs:Provide a copy of the communication from NCMA that notifies you that you are eligible to take the certification examination for which you are seeking reimbursement of costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a deadline to submit a scholarship application?
Scholarships are granted on a first come, first served, basis throughout the NCMA Program Year (September through May). It is recommended that you contact the Chapter’s Education Director before applying to ensure that scholarship funds are still available for the current period. Applications are reviewed at Chapter Board meetings, which normally are the first Wednesday of each month.
How should scholarship application be submitted?
Applications should be submitted by electronic means, via e-mail, to the Education Director. The forwarding letter and any attachments should be files attached to the e-mail. The Education Director will notify the applicant the Chapter Board’s disposition of the scholarship request shortly after the Board meeting during which a decision is made. If not approved, the Education Director will notify the applicant of any deficiencies in their application and provide an opportunity to resubmit the application, if funding remains available.
Announcement of Scholarship Awards
When a scholarship is awarded, the Chapter will include an announcement of the award in the Chapter’s newsletter and on its website, including some information about the applicant, which may be taken from their application. As a minimum, each recipient’s name, the course(s) for which the scholarship was granted, and the institution offering the course will be included in a Chapter newsletter article. Your scholarship application should consent to this publicity.
Award Disbursement
If you receive a scholarship, before disbursement of the award you will be asked to provide a copy of your receipt(s) from the academic institution that conducted the course and documentation of successful completion of the course(s) for which the scholarship was approved.
May individuals apply for scholarship awards more than once?
An individual may apply for scholarships in successive program years. However, if limited funds are available, a qualified individual that previously has not received a scholarship will be given preference over one who has.
Are Scholarships available only to NCMA Members?
Membership in NCMA is not a requirement to apply for scholarship award but is required before grant of award.
Membership for certain full-time students is free; alternatively, an associate membership may be available to you at a reduced rate. Please refer to the NCMA national headquarters website for additional details: www.ncmahq.org.
NCMA-San Diego Chapter | P.O. Box 504255, San Diego, CA 92150-4255 Return to Home Page
