Scholarship Fund

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The purpose of the James R. O'Neil/W. Robert Powers (JRO/WRP) Scholarship Program is to promote the field of fire protection engineering and fire protection engineering technology by providing financial assistance primarily to those individuals not currently employed therein. Students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in any fire protection engineering or a fire protection engineering technology related program approved by the committee are eligible. Preference for the purposes of this scholarship is to be given to those aspiring toward baccalaureate programs and as listed in the order of priority as outlined below.

Scholarships awarded of up to $7,500 each year per full time student in a B.S. fire protection engineering program, up to $5,000 each year per full time student in a graduate fire protection engineering program, and up to $2,000 each year per full time student in a fire protection engineering technology program may be granted by the committee to selected students demonstrating high academic achievement.

Awards would be presented in two 50% portions, on a per semester basis, after the posting of official grades. Upon the committee's review of applicant's grades from the previous semester, awards for the fall semester will be distributed in September and awards for the spring semester will be distributed in February.

Eligibility and Selection

Applicants selected shall have a permanent primary residence (not school address) from one of the following counties:

• New Jersey: Morris, Warren, Hunterdon, Ocean, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Union, Sussex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Mercer.
• New York: Bronx, Dutchess, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Kings, Queens, Nassau, New York, Suffolk.
• Connecticut: Fairfield.

Applicants shall be considered in accordance with the following priority:

• First Priority: Those pursuing a B.S. in fire protection engineering from an accredited academic institution as recognized by the National Council of Engineering Examiners (NCEE).
• Second Priority: Those pursuing a baccalaureate degree in fire protection engineering technology.
• Third Priority: Those pursuing a graduate degree in fire protection engineering.

The evaluation of applicants shall be primarily based on academic performance, as well as an interest and understanding of the field of fire protection engineering. Applicants shall possess and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0), or the fractional equivalent thereof, except in the case of extraordinary circumstance and where specifically exempted by the committee. Applicants not meeting this requirement may have the balance of their scholarship award forfeited.

Applicants shall be required to complete a facsimile of the scholarship application delivering the same to the committee for consideration. The committee shall review all current scholarships and applications as needed.

Awards would be available for each individual academic year up to a total of four years for baccalaureate degrees. Where determined appropriate by the committee, e.g. in the case where a first priority candidate is not available, or where a second priority candidate shows exemplary achievement or potential, awards of up to two years for associate's, master's or advanced degrees, may be considered. Existing award recipients shall be given consideration over new applicants. Recipients shall be required to restate their request and update their application for the scholarship each year providing an update on their associated activities.

Applications received by July 15 will be considered for fall semester. Applications received by January 15 will be considered for the spring semester.