GAPPA - The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers

Scholarship Program

Focus: To stimulate further development in the field of facilities management and to advance the purposes of the Association.

Purpose: To provide financial assistance to qualifying Association Members who strive for job enhancement through education and training.

Only persons employed full-time in the field of facilities management for at least 12 months at a GAPPA member institution are eligible. Preference will be given to persons who plan to continue a career in facilities management and who display high motivation and leadership ability.

The GAPPA Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients. Scholarships will be awarded on an individual basis. (Both APPA and SRAPPA offer their own Institute scholarships. See regional criteria for scholarship application requirements.)

The GAPPA Board of Directors will determine the number of scholarships to be awarded annually based on the availability of funds. It is anticipated that up to $16,000 may be available annually.

GAPPA scholarships are typically awarded for attendance at three categories of education and training programs:

Attendance at APPA’s Institute for Facilities Management. The scholarship award will be made for the applicant to attend all four phases of the Institute program. At least one phase should be attended annually. Attendance at consecutive phases to complete the program in two years is encouraged. The scholarship amount will be for up to $2,000 for each phase of the program to cover tuition, travel expenses, lodging, and meals. The sponsoring institution will be responsible for any expenses exceeding $2,000. Once the scholarship award has been made, the recipient should notify the scholarship committee chairman in advance of attending a phase to insure funding for reimbursement is available.
Attendance at APPA’s Leadership Academy. The scholarship amount will be up to $2,000 to cover tuition, travel expenses, lodging, and meals. The sponsoring institution will be responsible for any expenses exceeding $2,000.
Attendance at degree-track courses from accredited educational institutions, job related vocational or technical training, certifications or licenses (i.e. HVAC, EPA, Pesticides, etc.), and professional development seminars. The scholarship amount will be up to $2,000 annually until completion of the course of study to cover tuition, travel expenses, lodging, and meals. The sponsoring institution will be responsible for any expenses exceeding $2,000. The recipient should notify the scholarship committee chairman in advance of attending a second or subsequent year of study to insure funding for reimbursement is available.

Individuals should complete the scholarship application form to include recommendations and signatures from their supervisor and the Director of Physical Plant at the sponsoring institution. Additional weight may be given to applications that are accompanied by letters from their supervisor explaining the benefits the training will bring to the institution Recommendations should be provided on institution letterhead and mailed to the chairman of the GAPPA scholarship committee. Do NOT submit applications by E-mail.

The Scholarship Committee will review the applications with recommendations for award presented to the GAPPA Board. Applications should be submitted by July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15 to insure consideration at the next quarterly GAPPA Board meeting. The sponsoring institution will be notified when the application is approved to allow recipients to register for the course. Recognition of the award will be made at the GAPPA annual meeting.

Scholarship recipients must enroll in the APPA Institute, APPA Leadership Academy, or other selected training within one year following notification that they were awarded the scholarship. Note: Recipient does not have to be in classes by that time, but should at least be enrolled to attend the training.

Recipients must enroll and successfully complete the selected training to qualify for the reimbursement. After the recipient has completed each phase of the training or the specific training course, a request for reimbursement should be submitted by the sponsoring institution to the GAPPA scholarship committee chairman. The request should include copies of tuition receipts, travel expense reports, and grade reports/completion certificates. The institution should indicate how the reimbursement check should be made payable: institution or individual.

Scholarship recipients will be asked to submit an essay report of their APPA Institute or Leadership Academy or other training experiences once they have completed the program. The recipient may be asked to present the essay at the GAPPA annual meeting.