Background

Mr. Riehl graduated from the University of Louisville with an MS degree in organic chemistry.  He spent his professional career in a laboratory environment and derived pleasure and satisfaction experiencing science’s ability to solve a variety of problems.

Mr. and Mrs. Riehl are keen supporters of higher education.  They also believe residents of a community should give back to their community if they are in a position to do so.  Further, they believe higher education not only benefits individuals who receive it, but it also enriches the community since some college graduates remain in, and contribute to their community.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must live in or be a graduate of an accredited public or private high school in the 21 counties in central Georgia served by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia — currently Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Coffee, Crawford, Dodge, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Spalding, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson, and Wilkinson counties.
• Applicants must be seeking a Bachelor’s Degree of Science with a major in chemistry, biology, physics, or geology, and must maintain one of the major fields of study in college to remain eligible.
• Applicants must be completing their first undergraduate degree. The scholarship is not for those pursuing additional undergraduate degrees, a Master’s degree or a PhD.
• Applicants must be planning to enroll at an accredited college or university within the United States. Online or for-profit schools are not acceptable academic destinations for applicants.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average in high school and must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average in college to remain eligible.
• The applicant’s high school coursework must have included advanced science and math courses*, and a student must not have a grade lower than a B in any math or science courses. A diversity of science and math courses would be beneficial for the applicant.
• Preference will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.

*Advanced Science and Math Courses are described below, using the definition set forth by the HOPE Scholarship:

• Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;
• Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; or
• Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Credit Enrollment courses in Core subjects.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected based on the following:

• Academic performance, especially in math and science coursework
• Rationale for selecting their given major, based on their short answer response and teacher recommendation.
• Financial need

Additional Short Answer Questions and Attachments

On the last page, you will select the Riehl Science Scholarship Fund and complete the following additional information:

• Provide the name and email address of one reference who has agreed to submit a letter of recommendation for you. This person 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 experiences.
• 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:          $1,000 per year

Number of Awards:        One new recipient selected annually, up to four concurrent awards.

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 at the end of each fall and spring semester for which he/she receives the scholarship.
• Maintain full-time enrollment, completing 12 or more credit hours each fall and spring semester he/she receives the scholarship.
• Maintain the eligibility criteria as defined in the scholarship’s guidelines.

Recipients are required to submit a transcript for each semester that they receive the scholarship.  A recipient may continue to receive the award if their cumulative GPA drops below the required 3.0 for one semester.  If their GPA is below 3.0 for more than one semester, they will forfeit their scholarship award until their cumulative GPA exceeds the 3.0 requirement again.

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.