Scholarships

Samaritan Scholar Award

Maximizing Potential-Advancing Excellence

Established by MSU alumni Jim and Judy DeLapa, the Samaritan Foundation has generously assisted students for more than two decades. In 2003, the Foundation began offering scholarships through the RCPD, providing educational support to sophomores, juniors or seniors with disabilities, and distinguishing itself by offering the first scholarship for MSU undergraduate students with disabilities. The scholarship is presented in the amount of $3,000 and is awarded to five students who are also United States citizens demonstrating financial need. Recipients are encouraged to recognize this program as an investment in ability and are in turn challenged to invest in others by contributing as a donor to this program as they achieve success in a professional career.

This donor-supported program provides awareness and expanded opportunity for persons with disabilities. You can help support this initiative or find out more about other RCPD programs and giving opportunities by visiting the Financial Contributions page.

• Samaritan Scholar Award Application Form (PDF)

Robert L. Decker and Benjamin Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship

The Robert L. Decker and Benjamin Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory and recognition of two Ford Motor Company executives who worked together and, as friends, died together in a small airplane crash in June, 1990. The two men were committed to increasing the productivity of the workforce while enriching the quality of the workplace environment. This scholarship was created through an endowment offered by the wives of Robert and Benjamin to facilitate the continuance for the zest for life, concern for others, and ideals and goals held by the two. It provides graduate study opportunities and recognizes potential contributions of graduate students with disabilities.

The Robert L. Decker and Benjamin Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship is awarded in the spring to a qualified student with a disability enrolled in a graduate degree program at Michigan State University for the following summer, fall or spring semester. Based on endowment performance, the scholarship generally produces two or more scholarships of up to $5,000. Winners are selected by review of applicant achievement in a variety of areas including: academics, quality of references, clear definition of goals, pre-professional achievements including demonstrated leadership ability, demonstrated financial need, and quality and coherence of written essays. Recipients are encouraged to recognize this program as an investment in ability and are in turn challenged to invest in others by contributing as a donor to this program as they achieve success in a professional career.

This donor-supported program provides awareness and expanded opportunity for persons with disabilities. You can help support this initiative or find out more about other RCPD programs and giving opportunities by visiting the Financial Contributions page.

• Friendship Memorial Scholarship application (PDF)

Anita Giampalmi Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship

The Anita Giampalmi Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Scholarship is awarded through the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) in memory and recognition of Anita Giampalmi. Anita received her bachelor degree in Elementary Education from MSU in 1993. Over the next two years, she followed her dream of working with children as a substitute teacher in Lansing and a pre-school teacher in Troy. In April of 1995, Anita died of complications due to cystic fibrosis. Anita’s life symbolized the values of education, hard work in spite of physical challenges, and the pursuit of life goals. She was known for her courage, tenacity, sense of humor, and integrity. The family and friends of Anita have established a scholarship fund to facilitate the continuance of Anita’s ideals, her zest for life, and her concern for others. The scholarship provides a monetary reward as well as recognition of efforts toward the achievement of an educational program at MSU for a student who has cystic fibrosis. Historically, the scholarship fund has produced an award in the amount of up to $1,500. The recipient is chosen after a review of each applicant’s strengths. Criteria include demonstrated academic achievement, academic references, educational and life goals, leadership and other personal qualities, and a written essay.

This donor-supported program provides awareness and expanded opportunity for persons with disabilities. You can help support this initiative or find out more about other RCPD programs and giving opportunities by visiting the Financial Contributions page.

• Anita Giampalmi Scholarship application (PDF)

Edward A. Mellman Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities

This scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to see opportunities to further their progress in spite of the physical disabilities they have experienced in their lives. Undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in Agriculture and Natural Resources who are physically disabled, as defined by the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, are eligible for this scholarship. Students who meet the qualifications for this award will have demonstrated the capacity to overcome their physical disabilities. Preference will be given to students who do not have access to other tuition scholarships. (contact college of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

• Edward A. Mellman Scholarship Detail
  

Tower Guard Scholarship

As MSU’s oldest active student organization, the Tower Guard selects its members from the top 5% of the freshman class. They are among the most scholastically dedicated members of Michigan State University. Tower Guards are consistently active, hard-working students who devote a significant amount of time toward the RCPD mission.

This donor-supported program provides awareness and expanded opportunity for persons with disabilities. You can help support this initiative or find out more about other RCPD programs and giving opportunities by visiting the Financial Contributions page.

• Tower Guard Scholarship Application (coming soon!)
  

Disability in a Diverse Society Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes recipients of the Study Abroad Quality Funds Scholarships for participation in the “Disability in a Diverse Society” study abroad program. This scholarship is funded by a grant from the IFSA Foundation. The grant recognizes that few students with disabilities participate in study abroad programs or international travel, activities that lead to acquisition of important personal skills and knowledge resulting in a more competitive résumé for a future job market. Students participating in the program who are selected to receive this scholarship will be awarded $3,000.

To be eligible for consideration you must:

1. Be a student with a documented disability
2. Have applied to the Disability in a Diverse Society study abroad program
3. Meet the eligibility criteria of a 2.0 cumulative GPA for the above program
4. Have your application with all supporting documentation received no later than 5:00 pm on February 15th

Priority will be given to students with demonstrated financial need. For detailed information on this program go to: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/iredisability.html.

• Disability in a Diverse Society Application Form (PDF)

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