RSA SCHOLARSHIPS

The Ridgewood Soccer Association grants scholarships to graduating high school seniors each year. Information contained herein will give background and procedures used to direct the scholarship award program.

The Ridgewood Soccer Association runs a soccer program within the Village of Ridgewood that involves a significant number of Village youth. Youth involvement includes not just learning and playing the sport but also includes training for and working as a soccer official (referee) or participating as a volunteer coach with younger players or with our Special Needs soccer program. As a consequence of youth participating in soccer and learning not just skills, but the values of teamwork, community service and positive effort, the RSA grants two scholarships (one boy and one girl) each year.

We recognize that some of our youth are enrolled in schools other than Ridgewood High School, and others have had to leave the community as their families have moved on. However, it is our feeling that as these youth have served and/or participated in our program, they should not be excluded from the opportunity to apply for a scholarship.

The current criteria establishing eligibility for our Scholarships and the procedures to be followed by applicants seeking the scholarships available. Two procedures are described depending upon whether the applicant is graduating from Ridgewood High School (procedure "A") or is graduating from a school other than Ridgewood High School (procedure "B"). Each procedure states the deadlines for application.

 GENERAL INFORMATION

Two scholarships available – generally one each to a graduating senior boy and a graduating senior girl. Consideration will be made based on:

1. Prior participation in the Ridgewood Soccer Association Program
2. Participation in Interscholastic Freshman, JV and/or Varsity Soccer Program.
3. College bound or other post-graduate educational program.
4. Local Scholarship Common Application required by January 31.
5. Accompanying one page letter on value of "teamwork" and educational plans upon graduation from high school.

 PROCEDURE AND TIMELINES

1. Seniors graduating from Ridgewood High School (RHS)

Please note that there is a deadline imposed by the Ridgewood High School Guidance Department for the return of the "Common Application".  Generally, this is around January 31 each year and we urge you to verify the exact due date from the RHS Guidance Department. As we are closely involved with the high school soccer programs and are aware of the players in the programs, there is no requirement of a letter from a coach. Scholarship recipients will be notified in June at the RHS Senior Awards convocation.

1. Items "a", "b" and "c" above are the criteria used to establish eligibility. Note that "Ridgewood" means and is synonymous with Ridgewood, New Jersey, and no other community by the same name.
2. Please note item "d" above. The Local Scholarship Common Application is a single page (2 sided) document contained within a larger package available from the Guidance Department at Ridgewood High School. All RHS seniors are given a copy of the "Common Application" package along with appropriate instructions. Distribution is usually in late November or early December during a general meeting on post-secondary educational opportunities.
3. The applicant must fill out the Local Scholarship Common Application Form completely.
4. DO NOT attempt to mail directly to the RSA. Completed applications will only be accepted from the RHS Guidance Department. The Common Application Form and the applicant's letter are to be returned to the RHS Guidance Department on or before the deadline specified by the department. Failure to submit the application through the Guidance Department prior to their deadline will disqualify the applicant

Please note that there is a deadline of January 31 to apply for the scholarships, and a requirement for a letter from a coach. Scholarship recipients will be notified in June.   If an applicant does not hear from the RSA by June 30^th, the applicant was not selected to receive a scholarship.

1. Items "a", "b" and "c" above are the criteria used to establish eligibility. Note that "Ridgewood" means and is synonymous with Ridgewood, New Jersey, and no other community by the same name.
2. Please note item "d" above. The Local Scholarship Common Application is a single page (2 sided) document contained within a larger package available from the Guidance Department at Ridgewood High School. The applicant (or parent/guardian) must pick up a copy of the ‘Common Application’ from the Guidance Office between December 15 and January 15. Please note that the Ridgewood High School Guidance department controls availability of this document, so a call to the department to assure its availability may be appropriate.
3. The applicant must fill out the Local Scholarship Common Application Form completelyThe applicant must fill out the Local Scholarship Common Application Form completely. All other items in the package may be discarded.
4. If the applicant is or has had experience in Interscholastic Soccer as required in item "b" above, and this experience is not in the Ridgewood High School, then a letter from the coach at the highest level participated must also accompany the application. The letter should state contribution, the number of years participated, and any other item that the coach may wish to offer. This letter must be in a sealed school envelope with the coach’s signature, as contained on the letter, written across the sealed flap. The coach may provide the applicant with a copy if s/he so chooses. Failure to provide this letter will disqualify the applicant as it is the basis upon which item "b" above is verified. The letter should state contribution, the number of years participated, and any other item that the coach may wish to offer. This letter must be in a sealed school envelope with the coach’s signature, as contained on the letter, written across the sealed flap. The coach may provide the applicant with a copy if s/he so chooses. Failure to provide this letter will disqualify the applicant as it is the basis upon which item "b" above is verified.
5. The Common Application Form, the applicant’s letter and the coach’s letter must be mailed to the Ridgewood Soccer Association with a postmark not later than January 31. The Common Application Form, the applicant’s letter and the coach’s letter must be mailed to the Ridgewood Soccer Association with a postmark not later than January 31. A postmark later than January 31 will disqualify the applicant.