The MARSP Foundation Board determined in 1995 that one area of education in which there seems to be a void was financial assistance for the public school employees. “Some time ago I enthusiastically supported the idea that the Foundation provide scholarships to working members of the retirement system who wanted to improve their position in the workforce through continuing education,” said Foundation Past Chairman Richard J. Smith. The first scholarships were awarded in 1996. The scholarship is available for all public school employees, no matter what their current position is, as long as they are furthering their education in an area that will be beneficial to working in the public school arena. The scholarship grants are disbursed in July, and are usually for the fall semester for the year in which the scholarship is awarded. To date, the MARSP Foundation has awarded 30 scholarships, in amounts ranging from $300 to $1000.

Funds for the scholarships come from the contributions of MARSP members and supporters, and the profits from the Foundation-sponsored Annual Golf Outing. Checks or credit card payments can be mailed to the MARSP Foundation directly, and come in various amounts from $1.00 to $1,000. If you would like to make a contribution to this worthwhile project, you may send a check or money order, or make a credit card payment using the contribution form linked below.

Because the Foundation Scholarship Fund is a designated fund, it cannot be used for any other purpose. Also, contributions to the fund are tax-deductible for those who itemize.

If you who would like to apply for the scholarship, or know of someone who would, please complete, or give to another applicant, the scholarship application form included on this website. Applications are accepted only from January 1 to March 1 of the year in which the scholarship will be awarded. If you have a question regarding the dates, please contact the MARSP office. Following are the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility: Any current employee of any public school system which reports to MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System) may receive a scholarship grant for any and all educational endeavors available from, but not limited to, a four-year degree granting institution of higher learning, a community college, a technical or vocational institution within the state of Michigan, or seminars/workshops offered by any legally established professional organization from within the state of Michigan. It is expected that the recipient will agree to continue to work in a Michigan public sector educational institution for at least one year following the date of the completion of the training. Withdrawal from the program prior to completion may result in a loss of funding. The grant shall not exceed $1,000.00. Disbursement of all scholarship funds (tuition and materials) shall be made directly to the institution or professional organization up to the amount of the scholarship award. IRS requires the recipient’s social security number to receive this grant. Applications are posted in the January - February issue of the VANGUARD.

MARSP Foundation Scholarship Committee
Janice Knox, Ingham Greater Lansing Area Chapter, Chairman
Jason Flower, Ingham Greater Lansing Area Chapter
Tom Schopmeyer, Jackson County Chapter
Tom Nyquist, Manistee County Chapter

MARSP Foundation Scholarship Fund Recipients

2007
Heidi Aldrich, Breckenridge, MI, Central Michigan University

Dean Gage, Saranac, MI, Ferris State University

Olivier Harminel, Holt, MI, Bureau of Education & Research

Kerry Zylka, South Lyon, MI, Eastern Michigan University

2006 Lisa Bell, Flint, MI, University of Michigan-Flint Campus

Jill Blyveis, Otsego, MI, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Katherine Demorest, Battle Creek, MI, Michigan State University

Cherril Lott, Redford, MI, Eastern Michigan University

Kerry Zylka, South Lyon, MI, Eastern Michigan University

2005 Mark Burton, Cedar Springs, MI, Cornerstone University

Susan Busken, Norton Shores, MI, Grand Valley State University

Linda Fineout, Indian River, MI, Spring Arbor University

Molly Ross, Caseville, MI, Saginaw Valley State University

2004 Sherrieanne Farnsworth, Gregory, MI Eastern Michigan University

Molly Ross, Caseville, MI, Saginaw Valley State University

Rayme Martineau, Autrain, MI, Northern Michigan University

Lori Simpson, Otisville, MI, Eastern Michigan University

2003
Denise A. Cole, Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University

Barbara A. Hoffmeyer, Onaway, MI, Spring Arbor University

Sharon L. Morgan, Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University

Heidi K. Yager, Muskegon, MI, Grand Valley State University

2002 Pamela M. Ackley, Charlotte, MI, Lansing Community College

Brie K. Minshall, Grand Ledge, MI, Central Michigan University

Donna Jean Piper, Ossineke, MI, Alpena Community College

Katie Rondeau-Thomson, Ossineke, MI, Marygrove College

2001 Angela C. Dalton, Muir, MI, Aquinas College

2000 Angela C. Dalton, Muir, MI, Aquinas College

Ellen M. George, Detroit, MI, Madonna University

Pamela L. Hotchkiss, Belding, MI, Spring Arbor College

Cynthia Anne Raymo, Caseville, MI, Oakland University

Wendy J. Schmitz, Montrose, MI, Saginaw Valley State University

1999 No scholarships awarded

1998 Robin Alger, Davison, MI, University of Michigan-Flint

Wendy DeWolfe, Parma, MI, Madonna University

Shelley Freeland, Bailey, MI, Baker College

Joseph A. George, Flint, MI, Computer Data, Inc.

Judy Goldberg, Saginaw, MI, Delta College

Gayle L. Jones, Marysville, MI, University of Michigan-Flint

Curtis A. Krohn, Bad Axe, MI, Saginaw Valley State University

Vicki Ellen Pett, Saginaw, MI, Delta College

1997 Bonnie Clark, Grand Valley State University

Gayle L. Jones, Marysville, MI, St. Clair Community College

Dana Mikesell, Western Michigan University

Deborah Schranski, Davenport College

1996 Dorothy Dow Hannum, Saginaw Valley State University

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Lenawee, Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center

Amy Howard, Eastern Michigan University

Carolyn S. O’Neil, University of Michigan-Flint

Scholarship Application