Scholarship Rules

A. This scholarship is established to award students planning to obtain higher education. It is funded by income generated by association members.
B. Applications must be received or postmarked on or before January 15, 2027. No exceptions will be made.
C. Applicants must be:
  • An Active or Associate Member in good standing of the Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association for 2 years or more; OR
  • A family member or employee of a WOWRA member that has been in good standing with the WOWRA for 2 years or more; OR
  • Sponsored by a WOWRA member who has been in good standing with the WOWRA for 2 years or more.
D. Scholarships will be awarded at the annual conference. WOWRA will notify the recipients in writing immediately thereafter and issue a check in the amount of the award in August of the year awarded, after your college enrollment is verified.

E. No person may receive more than one award.

F. Applicants must be a member of the senior high school class or graduate of a secondary school, including those who are older than high school age desiring to continue their education. This award is also available to past or current college students.

G. Instructions for applying for a WOWRA scholarship:
Submit your application, (2) reference letters and essay to the WOWRA Scholarship Committee

NOTE: Applications will be invalid if not filled out completely or not accompanied by two reference letters and the essay.
  • Scholarship Application form;
  • Reference letters from two persons unrelated to the applicant (teachers, employers, coaches, clergy, etc.) who can attest to the applicant’s character and assess academic ability.
  • 500-word essay on a topic related to wastewater and/or water quality. Caution: Do NOT use AI to prepare your essay.

H. The following scholarships may be awarded in any year at the discretion of the WOWRA Board of Directors: The Robert Lindner Memorial Scholarship and/or the Gretchen McQuestion Memorial Scholarship. The amounts may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The minimum amount of any scholarship awarded will be $500.00. The amount may be higher at the discretion of the WOWRA Board of Directors. Additional scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Board.


SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION PROCEDURE
  1. All applications are scanned and kept on file at the WOWRA office.
  2. Winning essay(s) may be printed in the WOWRA newsletter.
  3. The original applications, letters of reference and essays are sent to the selection committee composed of qualified scholarship judge(s) not affiliated with any of the applicants.
  4. The scholarship judge(s) will rate applications and essays using a numerical scale.
  5. The WOWRA Board will conduct a blind review of the winning essays for content and make the final decision on the winning applicants.
  6. The winners, if any, will be announced during the annual conference.

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