Every year, SCELC offers scholarships to library science students on the staff of SCELC Member libraries. The SCELC Program/Professional Development Committee reviews and evaluates all applications. Strong applicants will also be awarded additional scholarship funding in the form of either the:

• $1,500 Locke Morrisey Scholarship, named in January 2011 in memory and honor of SCELC's colleague from the University of San Francisco
• $2,000 Rick Burke Scholarship, named in honor of SCELC's founding Executive Director who retired July 2021

To be eligible for an award, applicants:

• must be currently employed as professional or support staff at aSCELC member library
• must be currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited graduate library science program and have not yet applied to graduate
• must have completed at least six credit hours or units at the time of application
• must have a least one semester remaining prior to graduation (must still be enrolled at time of award)

You will need to submit:

1. The completed application form via the link below
2. A personal statement, no longer than one typed page, explaining your purpose for pursuing an MLIS and your future professional aspirations. Your statement will be evaluated based on the following (link to full rubric):
   • your contribution to the profession in programs or initiatives at your SCELC Member library
   • your involvement in early career professional activities, service to your school, and/or participation in professional organizations
   • your career goals
3. One letter of recommendation. Please have them address the criteria in the full rubric linked above.
4. Your program transcripts (official copy preferred, but unofficial accepted). (NOTE: If you are awarded a scholarship, we will need a copy of your official transcripts.)
5. Contact information for the financial aid office of your graduate program (name of the program, office address, postal address, phone number, email contact)

Application Timeline

• Applications are accepted annually, opening in the third Monday of January until the last Friday of the following March
• Applicants will be notified of award decisions within four weeks after application deadline, unless otherwise stated by PPDC members or SCELC Staff
• Award decisions are at the discretion of SCELC's available budget

If you have any questions about the application process or your submitted application, please contact PPDC Liaison, Eric Chao, at eric@scelc.org.

Scholarships are sent directly to the Financial Aid Office of your program's institution and disbursed by your institution. You must maintain active student status at the time of disbursement. If you have been awarded a scholarship and have questions about the award process, please contact officemanager@scelc.org.

Library Science Student Scholarship Application