Background

Alvin V. Palmer was born in Greshamville, Greene County, Georgia, on March 29, 1919, to Robert Rowell and Tassie Berrong Palmer. He died on March 30, 2001, in Bibb County, Georgia, the day after his 82nd birthday. His childhood years were during the Great Depression, and at an early age he worked in many ways to help his family. During the years that he normally would have been in high school, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and furnished needed financial support to his family. Upon returning to Greene County, he enlisted in the US Army (May 1941) where he attained the rank of Sergeant prior to his medical discharge in March 1944.

Soon after his discharge from the Army, Mr. Palmer began work at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia, where he remained until his retirement. During more than thirty years of faithful Federal service, he achieved many awards for superior performance including Supervisor of the Year. As a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Palmer founded and operated businesses involved in NASCAR automobile racing, construction and landscape, and real estate. Even though he was unable to pursue a formal education, Mr. Palmer had a life-long interest in supporting educational activities for young people. This longstanding interest led to the establishment of this memorial scholarship fund, intended to support the educational pursuits of students from Mr. Palmer’s boyhood home, Greene County, Georgia.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include current and former residents of Greene County, Georgia, and those who attended or graduated from high school in that county.
• Enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited two or four-year college, or a degree-granting technical or vocational school is required.
• Students who have begun their post-secondary education when applying must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher to be considered.
• Students who have not attended any post-secondary school are not subject to a grade point average minimum to qualify.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected based on the following:

• Scholastic Merit
• Personal Character
• Financial Need
• Potential to succeed – indicators include grades, evidence of having overcome adversity, and participation in school, community, or religious organizations.
• Preference will be given to a prior recipient who requests renewal.

Additional Short Answer Questions and Attachments

On the last page, you will select the Alvin V. Palmer Scholarship Fund and complete the following additional information:

• Provide the names and email addresses of two references who have agreed to submit a letter of recommendation for you. One must come from a teacher, school personnel, or other adult who can attest to your community spirit. These people will receive an email from our system allowing them to submit your recommendation. Please ask them before submitting their email address and let them know when you have submitted your application because that is when they will receive the email.
• A resume listing your school and community activities, athletics, awards, offices held, and other relevant experience.
• Your most recent high school or college transcript – you must request this from your current school.
• A current, submitted FAFSA Student Aid Report that indicates the value of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in the upper right hand corner. If this value is not shown, your application will be considered incomplete.

Awards

Amount of Award: Varies.

Number of Awards:  One per year, preference is given to renewal applicants

Renewal for Prior Recipients:  A prior recipient of this scholarship fund is eligible to renew the award each subsequent year of his/her undergraduate education career for up to four years. In order to renew, he/she must:

• Complete the online renewal application by March 15th of each year.
• Submit an unofficial transcript to CFCG at the end of each fall and spring semester for which he/she receives the scholarship.
• Maintain the eligibility criteria as defined in the scholarship’s guidelines.

If a prior recipient does not maintain the eligibility criteria or faces unique circumstances that require him/her to take time off or take a reduced course load for a semester, the student should contact the Community Foundation to determine if he/she is eligible for continued funding.