The Pine Tree Chapter awards Pam Pelletier Scholarship moneys to members to be used for educational purposes.  These include seminar and meeting registrations and travel expenses, dues for professional organizations and the purchase of study and reference materials.  In order to divide the available scholarship funds in a fair manner, awards are made according to a point system.  Participation in the program is voluntary.  Points are earned in different categories according to criteria developed by the scholarship committee.

Funds are awarded on a profit sharing basis.  Each year the funds available are divided by the sum of the points earned on all applications submitted for that year.  The resulting figure is the per point amount for that year.  A member’s scholarship is calculated by multiplying the per point amount by the total points earned that year by that member.  The Chapter will attempt to maintain a minimum scholarship point fund of $500 each year.  Additional funds will be added to the fund if available.  The system works according to the following rules:

1.    Points are accrued from May 1 to April 30 each year.

2.    Scholarship forms will be distributed during March for the coming scholarship year.

3.    Completed forms are to be submitted to the chairperson of the Pam Pelletier Scholarship
      Point System Committee by June 30th.  Scholarships will be awarded at the September
      Pine Tree Chapter meeting.  The chapter treasurer will disburse funds by a check made
      out to the member.

4.    Incomplete forms cannot be considered. Members should keep a copy of submitted
      application forms for their records.

5.   Points cannot be carried over from one year to the next; however, members are encouraged 
     to participate every year.

6.    Applicants must be members of the Pine Tree Chapter of INS during the entire year points
      are accrued and attend at least half of the meetings during that scholarship year.

7.    All scholarship moneys are awarded with the understanding that they will be accepted to
      further the member’s professional endeavors.  Members should state the intended use(s) 
      of the funds on the application form; however, since funds are awarded solely upon the point
      system, they may be used for any qualifying purpose that year.  Members should notify the
      committee of the ultimate use of the funds for record keeping purposes.

8.    Pam Pelletier Scholarships must be used during the scholarship year after they are awarded.

9.    The entire system will be reviewed annually to keep the criteria current and usable.  Members
      are encouraged to submit in writing to the committee suggestions for new point categories.

           10.  The current Chapter President may participate in point accrual.

           11.  Time will be set aside at each Chapter Meeting for updating Scholarship Point Forms.

           12.   All decisions of the scholarship committee are final.

           13.  All documentation (CE certificates, receipts, copies of checks, registration forms, letters
                 from employers, etc.) supporting each scholarship point claimed, along with a copy of the
                 application form, must be kept on file for the applicant for a period of at least two years
                 from the date submitted.  The scholarship committee reserves the right to audit any or all
                 applicants during this two year period, and applicants may be asked to furnish the
                 committee with the above documentation. Click below for application.