Guin-Standford Scholarship Fund

Tribute: The scholarship award has been established by the Honorable J. Foy Guin, Jr. and his wife, Dorace Guin as tribute to his parents J. Foy Guin, Sr. and Ruby Pace Guin, and his uncle and aunt H. T. and Terrell Pace Stanford. The scholarship guidelines are drafted based on the legacy of these two couples and their contributions.

Awards: The Guin-Stanford Scholarship is exclusively for Alabama teachers who desire to earn a JD (juris doctor degree) on either a full-time or part-time basis at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). If there are not qualified applicants then the scholarship may be awarded to an Alabama teacher who desires to continue their education by attaining a masters or doctorate degree in education. The award is further designated to the University of Alabama School of Law or the College of Education located on the Tuscaloosa campus.

The scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who illustrates a Christian lifestyle by regular affiliation and participation in any Christian church. Moreover, the applicant should show that he or she fosters the values and characteristics of the scholarship honorees. Attached to these guidelines is a tribute to the Guin and Stanford families, which highlights their histories and unwavering dedication to their faith and how these learned and lived beliefs shaped their lives, their careers and ultimately bettered their communities.

The Community Foundation of Calhoun County will annually project and allocate the assets available for scholarship awards depending on the Fund's annual income. Members or relatives of the Guin or Stanford families, and any individual who contributes more than two percent (2%) of the Fund's assets, are ineligible to benefit from the Fund.

Eligibility: Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and must hold a current Teaching Certificate from the State of Alabama in order to qualify. The educator must provide a letter of enrollment from their religious leader attesting to the applicant's participation in any Christian church or denomination. The applicant must be accepted into one of the two graduate programs listed above.

In addition, the following priorities, in the enumerated order, shall be used to evaluate applications: (i) show financial need (ii) reflect strong moral character as attested by two letters of recommendation, (iii) illustrate academic ability through college transcripts and any continuing education credits and (iv) exhibit civic or community service.

Members of the Guin family and all relatives of donors who contribute more than two percent of the Fund's assets, are ineligible to receive a scholarship from the Fund. In addition, the Foundation's Board of Trustees, former trustees, staff and Scholarship Committee members, including their spouses, children, adopted children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are prohibited from applying or receiving any scholarship, grant or financial award from the Foundation. Based on IRS regulations, the disqualifying exclusion exists for five (5) years after concluding volunteer service or employment.


Application: The scholarship award will be announced in the University of Alabama graduate catalogue publications. The Community Foundation will make the guidelines and the application packets available in both print and electronic format.

To be considered for the Guin-Stanford Scholarship, applicants must submit the complete application and supporting documentation to the Community Foundation by March 1 of each year. There are no exceptions to this due date. The Scholarship Committee will only review qualified applications that are complete.

Essay: An essay is required with the application. The applicant is asked to describe his or her career goals and how their Biblically-founded beliefs and values make them a suitable candidate. Moreover, the applicant should provide the reviewers examples of leadership and their capacity for originality and initiative. This composition should be typed and comprise no more than four double-spaced pages. The applicant should conclude the statement with the main reason why the committee should award him or her the scholarship.

Review Committee: The Scholarship Committee shall consist of no less than three persons appointed by elders of the University Church of Christ located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama or the successor church to its assets and mission.

Review Process: Foundation staff will review applications for clarity and completeness; copies of applications and all documentation will be forwarded to the Scholarship Committee who will rank the applications. Committee members will have four weeks to review the applications, conduct interviews, if necessary, and hold a determination meeting. The final ranked recommendations are submitted to the Foundation's Board of Trustees for their acceptance.

Award Distributions: Applicants are required to sign an acceptance agreement before they are named as a recipient. Award payments are made to the student's account after proof of enrollment. Checks are made directly to the financial administration office at the University of Alabama. Students must inform the Community Foundation of any additional educational or financial aid grants or awards immediately upon notification. Failure to do so may result in the termination of this scholarship. Awards shall not reduce scholarships otherwise provided to the recipients by the University of Alabama or affiliated institutions. Since this Fund is renewable, it may not be awarded every year. Pleas check with the Foundation office regarding award status.

In addition, the scholarship recipient must provide the Community Foundation with an official copy of their transcript at the end of each academic semester should the award extend for more than one term. A 2.8 average on a 4.0 scale is acceptable in the first semester of graduate studies; however, failure in any subsequent single term to maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale will result in the termination of the scholarship award.

The Foundation will make scholarship payment at the beginning of each academic semester. Distributions will not be made until the Foundation receives the (i) signed letter of acceptance provided by the Foundation, (ii) certified proof of enrollment from the institution and (iii) confirmation that the recipient is enrolled. Checks are made directly to the financial administration office at the college or institution. No distribution will be made to any individual for any reason.

Responsibility of Recipient: Each scholarship recipient is responsible for fulfilling requirements for admission to the University of Alabama. The scholarship recipient must enter the University either in the fall or the winter term following their selection; otherwise, the award is forfeited. No award shall be carried over beyond twelve months from the date of acceptance. Recipients not completing the full academic term must request that the University of Alabama reimburse the Community Foundation of Calhoun County for any funds eligible for refund.

Assumptions: The Guin-Stanford Scholarship Guidelines are not a contract. No obligation or liability of any kind will be imposed upon a scholarship recipient; nor will any obligation or liability be assumed by the Community Foundation of Calhoun County, except as expressly stated in this document.

These guidelines are subject to change; therefore, applicants should inquire if revised guidelines have been issued. Changes may impact the due date of the application documents.

The Community Foundation will not (i) accept applications that are presented after the due date; (ii) contact students to locate missing documents such as letters of recommendation (iii) contact students to return the Letter of Acceptance form and (iv) contact students to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive payment.



Revised: February 7, 2006