Naureen F. Collazo Scholarship

Introduction
This scholarship has been established to honor Naureen F. Collazo, a deaf woman who believed in the importance of education. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide $1,000 each year to a deaf or hard of hearing high school student graduating from a school in the specified DHCC service area who is enrolled full time in a college or university of his or her choice.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Student is deaf or hard of hearing
  • Student is graduating from high school and entering college or university in the summer or fall after graduation.
  • Student must submit proof of acceptance into a college or universit
  • Student attends school in DHCC service area as follows: PA Counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia and NJ Counties of Burlington, Camden, and Mercer.

Application requirement are as follows:

  • Student must submit an essay on the subject of “How to advocate for oneself to obtain preferred communication access”. The essay must be one page or less.
  • Essay may be submitted in writing or in ASL. The ASL version must include a written translation into English for publication purposes.
  • Applicants must agree that the submitted essays become the property of DHCC to publish in DHCC newsletter, NJ Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) newsletter and/or any other appropriate publications.
  • Applicant may be asked to present essay information to his or her school and other venues within close geographic proximity to applicants home. This is optional and can be declined.
  • Student must submit a cover letter which includes his or her name, home address, phone number, email address, name of high school, name of college or university attending, date of admission, reason for attending college or university, and acceptance of terms about the essay.
  • Student must submit two letters of reference from individuals not related to the student such as teacher, camp counselor, or employer. The reference shall attest to the applicant’s character and commitment to higher education.
  • Submit application, which consists of cover letter, reference letters and essay to “The Naureen F. Collazo Scholarship Committee”, DHCC, 630 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Swarthmore, PA 19081. Applications must be postmarked by April 30th of the current school year.

Scholarship Decision and Award

  • The Executive Director will screen the applications and forward all that meet the requirements to the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee decides the recipient of the scholarship.
  • The scholarship recipient will be announced by May 31st. Funds will be disbursed to the student as soon as proof of registration and start of college or university is provided. Proof needs to be an official letter from the college or university.
  • Funds must be spent on expenses related to attending college or university such as books, tuition, room and board, or travel to the college or university.

back to top

 


Arlene Long Memorial Fund
The Arlene Long Memorial Fund (ALMEF) was established in early 1994 to honor the life and memory of Arlene Long, a founding member of DHCC’s Interpreter Referral Service. Arlene valued education and believed that through education we could become empowered to make the world a better place. Therefore, ALMEF supports the continuing education and advancement of ASL teachers and ASL/English interpreters.

Individual Eligibility
An individual is eligible to apply for the ALMEF fund if he/she is a current DHCC member, has not received funding from DHCC in the past year and meets one or more of the following criteria:

  • Is current working interpreter for DHCC
  • Is current working ASL instructor for DHCC
  • Would like to be an ASL instructor for DHCC and needs additional training
  • Would like to be an interpreter for DHCC and needs additional training

Program Eligibility
Workshops and seminars with recognized trainers are eligible for funding if they are:

  • Non-credit classes
  • College classes

Reciprocity
Any individual who receives an ALMEF scholarship is committed to give back to DHCC and/or the Deaf community. He/she may choose to contribute in one of the following ways.

  • Volunteering at DHCC
  • Working for the DHCC Emergency Service or CIP
  • Joining a DHCC committee
  • Volunteering with PSAD
  • Volunteering with a similar agency or consumer organization approved by DHCC.

Scholarship
The scholarship amount will be 50 percent of the cost of the training to a maximum of $600. The maximum is for one person over a 12-month period. The person can apply for more than one scholarship as long as the total amount is no higher than $600. The Committee will use its discretion when granting multiple scholarships in a 12-month period.

Selection Process
The DHCC Executive Director and the Executive Committee of the DHCC Board select all award recipients. DHCC screens all applications and selects the most appropriate candidates. The Executive Committee of the DHCC Board reviews all candidates’ applications.

The Executive Director will notify applicants if their application is accepted and if so, include the amount awarded.

Application Procedure
Please complete the following Web form if you wish to apply for a ALMEF scholarship.

Interpreter Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State
Zip:
Telephone:
E-mail:
DHCC Member Number:
Describe your goal and how this additional training will help you achieve it?

Total Years of Experience:
Number of Years as an Interpreter:
Number of Years as an Sign Language Teacher:

Category of Funding:
Interpreter     Sign Language Teacher     Additional Training

If you receive this funding, how do you plan to give back to DHCC and the Deaf community?

Specific Training requested:
Title:
Cost:
Location:
Instructor:
Date(s) of class or workshop:

back to top