NIA Scholarship Fund

In order to encourage growth and public awareness of the insulator hobby through collecting, dealing, and educational endeavors the National Insulator Association, Inc. (NIA) has established the NIA Scholarship Fund. Grants may be awarded as an Academic Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 and/or a Vocational Scholarship in the amount of $500.00. An Academic Scholarship is renewable for one additional year upon re-application by the recipient. A Vocational Scholarship is not renewable.

It is the intention of the NIA and its Board of Directors to award at least one scholarship each year. The number and type of awards given will be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may reduce the amount of the award at any time. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the Scholarship Fund balance.

Scholarship applications will be sent upon request by contacting the NIA Scholarship Committee chairperson by mail (address available on the contacts page) or e-mail at scholarship@nia.org. Applications are available on the NIA web site at:

Applications are submitted to the Scholarship Committee Chairperson. Committee meetings to discuss applicants and make a selection can take place at a location convenient to committee members. The committee will use a rating sheet so as to evaluate each applicant in an objective way. Each of the selection criteria can be given a weighted score so that cumulative scores can be used to compare applicants. Additional materials may also be reviewed as part of the applicant evaluation process.

The NIA has established the following selection criteria as necessary for evaluating applicants.

High school/college transcripts and standardized test scores demonstrate a measure of academic performance and ability to succeed.
Extra-curricular activities indicate the student’s involvement, socialization and community service.
Letters of reference show how others view the student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Volunteer or work experience could indicate the student’s experience in his/her chosen career field.
Clearly stated career and educational goals will show the student’s ability to set goals and objectives for the future.
Unusual circumstances identify any family problems, personal or financial, which may warrant further consideration.
Financial need is demonstrated in the Student Activity Report (SAR), which is the information the student receives when applying for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Completed applications for a Vocational Scholarship must be received by the NIA Scholarship Committee Chairperson no later than February 1^st to be considered. Completed applications for an Academic Scholarship must be received by the NIA Scholarship Committee Chairperson no later than February 1^st to be considered for the following academic year. Applications received that are incomplete or fail to comply with the application instructions will not be considered. Applications will not be returned to the applicant.

Once the Board of Directors approves the recommendations of the Scholarship Committee, letters must be sent to all applicants notifying them of an award or declination.

Scholarship grant payments will be publicly presented at the Awards Banquet during the NIA National Show and Convention generally held in July. Checks will be mailed to the recipient, but the check will be made payable to the educational institution. The payment to the college or university is accompanied by a memorandum explaining the NIA scholarship policies and requesting that the school notify the Association (NIA) if the student does not register or withdraws from school. When a student withdraws, the institution issues a refund check to the NIA. Returned monies are credited to the scholarship fund.

The NIA may make public announcements about awards that have been granted not only to give deserved recognition to the recipient, but also to stimulate additional support for the scholarship program. Press releases to local publications or trade and hobby magazines may, when appropriate, result in a short article or news brief.

Academic Scholarship

The NIA offers an academic scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 per academic year.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
Applicants must be in their senior year of high school or have graduated from high school.
Applicants must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled in an eligible educational institution.
Applicants must complete all elements of the Scholarship Application.
The student’s undergraduate study may be in any academic area.
The scholarship is renewable for one additional academic year based on the student’s maintaining a “B” (3.0) average, or better, as documented through transcripts. The student must reapply.
Applicants must be a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution, and the scholarship must be used to pay qualified education expenses.
You are a candidate for a degree if you attend a secondary school or are pursuing a degree at a college or university, or you attend an accredited educational institution that is authorized to provide a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s or higher degree.
An eligible educational institution is one that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.
Qualified education expenses are for tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution. They also include course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required of all students in your course of instruction.

Applications for academic scholarships must be completed and received by the NIA Scholarship Committee no later than February 1^st to be considered for the following academic year. Applications received that are incomplete or fail to comply with the application instructions will not be considered. Applications will not be returned to the applicant.

Vocational Scholarship

The NIA offers a vocational scholarship in the amount of $500.00.
The scholarship is not renewable.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicants must have graduated from high school.
Applicants must complete all applicable elements of the Scholarship Application.
Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a course of instruction leading to a career related to the generation, distribution or application of electrical energy.
Applicants must be a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution, and the scholarship must be used to pay qualified education expenses.
You are a candidate for a degree if you attend an accredited educational institution that is authorized to provide a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
An eligible educational institution is one that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.
Qualified education expenses are for tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution. They also include course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required of all students in your course of instruction.

Applications for vocational scholarships must be completed and received by the NIA Scholarship Committee no later than February 1^st to be considered. Applications received that are incomplete or fail to comply with the application instructions will not be considered. Applications will not be returned to the applicant.

The following PDF documents provide an application and scholarship guide:

Scholarship Application Guide

Scholarship Application