Scholarships

“Rainbow gets girls ready for life.” Rainbow strives to instill high moral and ethical standards in its members, while providing opportunities to gain self-confidence and develop leadership skills. Additionally, Nevada Rainbow believes it is important to extend this readiness by supporting scholarships to assist members with their post-high school education and career endeavors.

The number of scholarships awarded each year may vary, based on the fundraising efforts of Nevada Grand Assembly and those individuals who generously choose to privately fund specific scholarships. Not all scholarship awards listed on the NV IORG website are available each year. In the event the scholarship funds and/or awards are limited, Nevada Rainbow members in good standing will be given preference over Majority members,.


			2022 Scholarship Application Guideline
			2022 Scholarship Application for Graduating High School Students
			2022 Scholarship Application for Post Secondary Training and Education
			2022 Scholarship Evaluation Guidelines- Completing HS
			2022 Scholarship Evaluation Guidelines- Post Secondary

Our Youth Scholarships include:

Mimi Ruff Memorial Scholarship is funded in memory and honor of Mrs. Ruff who served Nevada Rainbow for many years.
Margaret Kofoed Memorial Scholarship- is a continuing scholarship program in memory of our Past Supreme Worthy Advisor- it is awarded to a girl who will take her Majority at Grand Assembly.
Rebecca Koscik Memorial Scholarship- Rebecca was the daughter of Grand Deputy Timaree Koscik who passed away just months after she joined Tonopah Assembly #15.
Kaylene Meyer Struemph Memorial Scholarship- Kaylene was Grand Faith, and the daughter of Grand Deputy Bill Meyer, Fernley Assembly #26. The scholarship is funded in her memory by her parents who continue to support Nevada Rainbow.
Tickled Pink- Tickled Pink is funded by Past Grand Deputy Terry Tholl to support girls' educational endeavors. Mrs. Tholl is a firm believer in continuing education, exploring dreams, and having fun.... she is Tickled Pink about life, Rainbow, and helping girls succeed.
Joyce Shelver Thornhill Memorial Scholarship- Funded in honor of their Mother by daughters Candi and Tami- past Nevada Grand Officers, and in part by Mr. Brett Ruff.
Craig Harms Memorial- Craig was the father of PGWA Vanessa Harms Nelson and husband of Sylvia Harms, Director of Grand Representatives.
David Guinan Memorial Scholarship- in honor of Mr. Guinan who served Nevada Rainbow on an Advisory Board, as Rainbow Dad and on our Executive Board for many years. Mr. Guinan was also as Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nevada.
Sherman Gonce Scholarship- in honor of a 49 year member of Las Vegas Lodge #32, father of majority members and a relativeof Mr. Ruff.
June Davidek Memorial Scholarship- Mrs. Davidek was a MA and Grand Deputy for Sparks #3 and a vital part of that assembly during her tenure.
Supreme Officer’s Scholarship- is funded by Nevada's 2 Supreme Officers- Mrs. Jacka and Mrs. Haartz.
Bart Jacka Memorial Scholarship- is funded through generous donations from Nevada Rainbow adults.
Masonic Family Scholarship- is funded through donations received from our Rainbow Assemblies.
Nevada Grand Assembly Scholarships

Application Process

Who may apply for a scholarship?

The following are eligible to apply for a Nevada Grand Assembly scholarship:

Active Nevada Rainbow members in good standing: dues paid; not cohabitating (Not living with someone whom you are in a relationship with), including:
o Members graduating from high school or earning high school equivalency in the current academic year
o High school graduates or equivalent who have decided to continue their career training and/or education during the upcoming academic year
o Those currently enrolled in an accredited training program or institution
Nevada Majority members who plan to be or are currently enrolled in an accredited institution.

What academic programs are eligible?

The Scholarship Committee will consider applications from students attending accredited training programs and institutions, including community colleges, state colleges, universities, and post-graduate programs, as well as less traditional programs, such as trade schools.

How many scholarships will be awarded?

The number of scholarships awarded each year may vary, based on the fundraising efforts of Nevada Grand Assembly and the generous individuals who privately fund specific scholarships. Not all scholarship awards listed on the NV IORG website are available each year. In the event scholarship funds and/or awards are limited, Nevada Rainbow members in good standing will be given preference over Majority members.

When are Scholarship Applications due?

In 2022, Scholarship Application Packages submitted by students graduating from high school or earning a high school equivalency during the current academic year must be submitted to the Scholarship Committee Chairman by February 15th. Scholarship recipients (from this group) will be announced during Rainbow Sunday, in mid-March.

Scholarship Application Packages submitted by all other applicants (active and Majority members who are previous high school graduates or equivalent or members currently enrolled accredited training programs or post-secondary education programs) must be submitted to the Scholarship Committee Chairman by February 15th. Scholarship recipients will be announced during Nevada Grand Assembly, in June.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The deadlines are FIRM; extensions will NOT be granted.

What is included in the Application Package?

The Application Package from a current high school student anticipating graduation or equivalency this year must include:

The Application form
The applicant's most recent high school transcript or grades
Letter/s of Admission from her chosen/preferred school/s
A Personal Letter of Recommendation

The Application Package from all other applicants must include:

The Application form
The applicant's most recent transcript
Proof of enrollmentin the chosen school
A Personal Letter of Recommendation

What should be included in a letter of recommendation?

The applicant should write a letter, addressed to the Scholarship Committee Chairman, recommending herself for a scholarship. This letter of recommendation should include the following:

The applicant should briefly discuss her career goals and her personal plan for attaining those goals. The applicant should also discuss her financial plan for attaining her career training and educational goals and how this award would assist that plan. (Has the applicant received other scholarships or grants? Has the applicant been approved for financial aid? How will the scholarship be used – to pay for books, to help with transportation or housing costs?)

If the applicant believes her grades are not an accurate reflection of her academic potential, the applicant should briefly discuss this, identifying why she believes her grades are not an accurate measure of her potential and how she plans to strengthen her academic performance during the upcoming year.

Next, the applicant should briefly discuss her involvement in extra-curricular and/or or community events/activities during the current academic year.

The applicant should briefly discuss her current level of involvement in Rainbow and how, or if, she plans to continue to support Nevada Rainbow during the upcoming academic year.

Finally, the applicant should describe how her involvement in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls has assisted in preparing her to pursue and attain her career goals.

How are applications submitted?

The completed Application Package should be scanned and emailed to the Scholarship Committee Chairman (as one complete document) by the applicable deadline. The package should include the following:

Scholarship Application Form
Personal Letter of Recommendation
Most recent transcripts
Proof of enrollment for the fall semester (letter of admission or class schedule)

How are Scholarship Recipients selected?

The Scholarship Selection Committee will be appointed by the Committee Chairperson and approved by the Supreme Officer. The Scholarship Selection Committee will be comprised of an odd number of no less than three individuals that are not currently active in Nevada Rainbow. The committee members may be Majority members or previous adult volunteers who have no bias toward possible applicants or community members. The Committee members will remain anonymous to all Rainbow members and adult volunteers, with the exception of the Committee Chairperson and the Supreme Officer, or her appointed designee.

Each member of the Scholarship Selection Committee will review each Application Package, evaluating the information provided by applicant. Additionally, the Scholarship Committee will assign points to applications submitted by active members based on the number of service hours reported and points earned during the current year. More information on the scoring criteria can be found in the Scholarship Selection Committee Guidelines. Applications that are illegible or incomplete will not be considered.

In the event of a tie score between active member applicants, preference will be given to the applicant that is completing high school and/or the applicant that is beginning her college studies for the first time. In the event of any further or other tie score, the Committee Chairperson will appoint a Special Committee Member that has not previously reviewed the tied Application Packages to review and score only the tied Application Packages. The Special Committee Member’s score will serve as the tie breaking score. The Special Committee Member will review each Application package based on its own merits and not against the others.

How are recipients notified of their selection for an award?

Scholarship recipients will be announced in two groups. Scholarships for girls who are completing high school in the current year will be announced at Rainbow Camp and again during Grand Assembly. Scholarship recipients for those who have already completed high school or an equivalency will be announced at Grand Assembly. Following Nevada Grand Assembly, all recipients will be formally notified in writing by the Supreme Officer or her appointed designee.

How are awards distributed?

Scholarship funds will be distributed as follows: one half (1/2) of the total award of $1,000 will be issued upon verification of registration in at least twelve (12) credits for the fall semester (generally receipt of a paid registration notice) and receipt of a transcript for the most recent grading period by the Supreme Officer or her appointed designee.

Scholarship award recipients will be required, prior to issuance of the first half of the award, to send to the scholarship chairperson a copy of the previous semester’s grades as well as a copy of the courses to be taken for the upcoming semester.

Scholarship distribution amounts may vary for non-traditional educational pursuits. For instance, a real estate program may cost $750, in which case that becomes the total amount to be disbursed by Nevada Grand Assembly to a scholarship recipient. At no time will a total annual distribution to any recipient exceed $1,000.

It will be the responsibility of the recipient to notify the scholarship chairman by email where the scholarship check is to be mailed. If the check must be canceled and reissued then the bank fees associated with this transaction will be deducted from the amount awarded.

To maintain eligibility for the second/spring semester, each recipient must provide the Supreme Officer or her appointed designee with:

A transcript reflecting at least a 2.5 GPA for the previous semester,
Proof of registration (a paid receipt for the second semester) demonstrating enrollment in at least twelve (12) credits for that semester,
Affirmation of her continued commitment to personal conduct (not cohabitating -Not living with someone whom you are in a relationship with), which is essential for a Rainbow member.

Recipients will not be reminded to submit fall or spring registration, transcripts, etc. If a recipient fails to request her scholarship distribution check by September 15 for fall semester or February 15 for the spring semester, the funds will be returned to the Nevada Grand Assembly Scholarship Fund. Exceptions to these deadlines will be made for educational institutions that operate on quarter versus semester academic periods, by the Supreme Officer or her appointed designee upon request of the selected recipient (prior to the established September 15 and February 15 deadlines).

What if a recipient’s enrollment status changes?

On occasion, it becomes necessary for a student to reduce her credit load or to withdraw from school altogether. If this occurs, the following will apply:

If the recipient maintains at least twelve (12) credits but does not meet the required 2.5 GPA for that semester, she will not receive the scholarship stipend for the next semester, and she will need to complete one semester without a stipend before being eligible to receive any future scholarship awards from Nevada Grand Assembly.
If the recipient reduces her credits to less than twelve (12) credits, the next semester’s award will be reduced by an equivalent amount. This in essence re-pays Nevada Grand Assembly for the dropped credits.
If the recipient drops out of school after she has received her scholarship stipend, she will need to repay that amount to Nevada Grand Assembly to restore her eligibility or she will need to continue her studies for one semester without a stipend.

If the recipient continues her education, taking the appropriate number of credits and earning at least a 2.5 GPA, she may apply in the spring for a future scholarship award.

If a Scholarship recipient is appointed to serve as Grand Worthy Advisor during the award period, she will be given the opportunity to reduce the minimum number of credit hours per semester and/or minimum GPA requirement. She may also request to defer her award for one year. These accommodations must be approved by the Supreme Officer or her appointed designee prior to the start of each semester.

More questions?

Any questions regarding this Scholarship Application process should be directed to the Nevada Grand Assembly Scholarship Committee Chairperson: Mr. John Tocco, via email at: safari_dad@aol.com.

Scholarship Recipients

Many girls and adults have benefited from the Nevada Rainbow Scholarship Program. To view a partial list of recipients click here.