Scholarship

STEVEN P. VANN SCHOLARSHIP

The Steven P. Vann Foundation was established in 2009 to provide scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors wishing to continue their education who are children of deceased National Passenger Railroad Corporation employees. More than ninety-percent of the donations to the foundation will be awarded to eligible high school seniors who exhibit excellence in their academic endeavors, are enrolling in an accredited post-secondary institution or university - this includes four-year or two-year degree granting institutions (copy of acceptance letter must be provided) - and have completed community service during their last year of high school. The scholarship is presented each year in memory of Steven P. Vann (1968-2007) who passed away from a disease known as Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome (or CAPS). Steve was a respected employee with Amtrak for over 13 years. He was a locomotive engineer providing train service from Washington, D.C. to New York City. He is survived by a beautiful wife, Edith, and three wonderful children, Imani, Cameron, and Bacari. Outside of spending quality time with his family, Steve also enjoyed listening to music, swimming, and skiing. Steve also appreciated the art of education. He graduated from North Carolina A&T with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. Moreover, he understood the influence a humanitarian could have on the community. His spirit embraced a passion for helping others as he often spent time volunteering with the Habitat for Humanity aiding in the construction of homes for under-privileged families.

Purpose of Scholarship

The Steven P. Vann Foundation was established to provide scholarships  to outstanding graduating high school seniors wishing to continue their  education who are children of deceased National Passenger Railroad  Corporation employees. The Foundation and its financial assistance  shall be administered and provided without regard to race, religion,  age, creed, or ancestry. 

Financial assistance provided by the Foundation will be provided based  on outright scholarship grants that need not be repaid.  

Recipients of financial assistance from the Foundation shall be  encouraged to recognize their responsibility as citizens and encouraged  to perform services of a civic and humanitarian nature. However, in  providing financial assistance, the Foundation shall give preference in  consideration and selection to those worthy persons who, or whose  families, have insufficient finances or resources to pay the costs of  higher education. 

The Fund desires to provide financial assistance for promising persons  who lack the resources to pursue higher education.

 

Scholarship CRITERIA

Candidate status for the Steven P. Vann Scholarship is awarded to those who satisfy the application requirements. Scholarships will be awarded based on demonstrated need and evidence of academic performance or leadership- Recipients must:

  • Be a graduating high school senior wishing to continue his/her  education and child of a deceased National Passenger Railroad  Corporation employee.  

  • Be attending an accredited post-secondary institution or university  - this includes four-year or two-year degree granting institutions  (copy of acceptance letter must be provided). 

  • Complete the required application form, essays, and one letter of  recommendation and include your most recent official grade  transcript.

  • Submit forms and materials by TBD to be considered for a  scholarship award on TBD.

  • Have enrolled fulltime (minimum of 6 semester hours/3 quarter  hours). 

  • Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA). • Have demonstrated leadership in community activities and/or  professional organizations. 

  • Scholarship application later date

Scholarships awarded each year will be based on the funds available  and the number of eligible candidates. Funds are raised through  fundraising, sponsorships, and contributions. All candidates must  submit the complete package no later than TBD. 

Selection of Recipients: The Board of Directors will make the final  selections and approve all recipients for scholarships. 

Administration of Scholarship Funds awarded to a student will be  issued in the name of the institution the recipient indicates he/she will  attend. If a recipient of financial assistance determines that he/she  cannot enroll as intended, he/she must provide a written notice to the  Foundation no later than l0 calendar days after the semester or quarter  begins.