Only 12 days left to apply for an ASTRA Scholarship this year. The deadline for applications is August 1st and applications are rolling in daily. Apply online TODAY! Contact Tina Andres at (800) 264-5242 with questions.

More information about the ASTRA Scholarship Program

Scholarship Purpose

There is a growing demand for aging services. The ability to provide quality services to older Kansans in a compassionate and supportive environment is highly dependent on a committed and dedicated work force. ASTRA provides scholarships for the purpose of attracting and retaining talent in the field of not-for- profit aging services.
Funding

Funding for the scholarship program comes from the generous support of our members, valued business partners and any other individual or organization interested in advancing the health and wellbeing of older Kansans.

Scholarships/Deadline

ASTRA is awarding up to five scholarships from $500-$1000 each this year to individuals seeking to expand their education to support aging services. We are specifically interested in providing scholarships to individuals seeking to advance their learning in the areas including but not limited to: CMA, SS/AD, CDM, Social Work, AIT, Adult Care Home Operator, or other forms of post-secondary education. The deadline for applications is August 1st.

Eligibility

Applicant must be employed by a LeadingAge Kansas member and agree to/meet the criteria below:

  • Employed at least one year
  • Either full-time or part-time (not PRN)
  • Demonstrated commitment to servicing older Kansans
  • Enrolled in a recognized or accredited school or program
  • Person cannot be excluded from employment at a LeadingAge Kansas member organization under state or federal law.
  • Employed for at least 1 uninterrupted year at a LeadingAge Kansas member following notification of scholarship. (Note: if an applicant chooses employment with a non-LeadingAge Kansas member, ASTRA must be reimbursed the full cost of the scholarship by the applicant)

Restrictions

All applicants must be employees of LeadingAge Kansas members. We will not fund applications seeking to reimburse their employer for education they would otherwise pay for.

Application

Individuals may apply online or send in a hard copy application by August 1st. Application components must be included for scholarship consideration:

Online

  • Online form filled out completely
  • Essay questions are uploaded to system (you will need to answer the questions in a separate document and upload the file into the application form)
  • Support documentation about program, degree or certificate you are attaining is uploaded to the system (you will need to save the supporting documentation in a PDF and upload into the application form)
  • Two letters of recommendation. One must be from your Administrator/CEO.

Hard Copy

  • Application Cover Page
  • Essay questions
  • Support documentation about program, degree or certificate you are attaining
  • Two letters of recommendation. One must be from your Administrator/CEO.
  • Scholarship Determination Information and Selection Committee
  • The scholarship recipients are determined by a selection committee appointed by the ASTRA Board of Directors.
  • Scholarship recipients will be notified within 90 days of the application deadline and will be highlighted at our Fall Conference.
  • Disbursement of scholarship funds will be made directly to the selected school or program.
  • Recipients are responsible for returning scholarship funds if they do not attempt to take the coursework scholarship is designated for.

Tips for Successful Applications

  1. Completed form
  2. Answer each essay question fully. One paragraph answers are not recommended. We are interested in learning about you and how you would like to further your education as well as how the funds will be helpful for you.
  3. Include all application components (see above)
  4. Provide brochures, online information or other supporting documentation about the course of study you hope to obtain with the help of this scholarship.
  5. We are interested in the education and entity providing the education. Providing a short paragraph about the education you are seeking is not appropriate supporting documentation.

The review committee will rate applicants on the following equally weighted criteria:

  • Description of previous education/training
  • Did the applicant provide an adequate overview of their employment history?
  • Does the applicant perform any outside volunteer activities or hobbies?
  • Did the applicant adequately portray why he/she wanted the scholarship?
  • Did the applicant provide their Career/employment goal?
  • Did the applicant provide adequate information/documentation about the education they are seeking to receive?
  • Overall impression of the application
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Tina Andres
Tina Andres is the Director of Administrative Operations. Since joining LeadingAge Kansas in 2001, Tina has held many different roles during her time at the association. Her current focus is overseeing accounting, human resources, and office management. Having attended Kansas State University and Pratt Business College with an emphasis in accounting, Tina utilizes her education and work experience to provide accounting functions for LeadingAge Kansas, LeadingAge Kansas Employee Benefits, Inc. (EBI), LeadingAge Kansas Foundation and KING. Tina is passionate about being a team player and is willing to help others in all capacities. Outside of LeadingAge Kansas, Tina’s hobbies include all kinds of sports, spending time with her family, and most of all, being a grandma. You can reach Tina directly at 785.670.8045.

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