ACTION KARATE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Action Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Philadelphia, PA.
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There are two main ways that the fund is used.
The fund is set up to be able to offer larger group programs in underserved communities. The programs range from ongoing weekly classes during the school day to immersive after school classes to build confidence and give kids opportunities to reduce violence. Money for these programs is provided through fundraising, individual donations and grants. The Action Scholarship Funds brings high quality character-based martial arts to city neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
The Action Scholarship Fund (ASF) also provides financial assistance to students that are at risk of not being able to continue their karate instruction due to the inability to pay.
The goal is to help kids and families at a time in their lives when they most need the benefits of a martial arts education to fill in the gaps for what they’re not getting in school.
ASF awards the scholarships through qualifying martial arts schools. Both the karate school and the student must demonstrate a commitment to the program as well as a reasonable financial need. The vast majority of scholarships are awarded for martial arts students who are already enrolled, but experienced a life change that makes it hard to continue training.
Things to consider before applying:
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Full scholarships are rarely available. Families are expected to maintain responsibility for a portion of the tuition.
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Students must have good attendance and communicate frequently and reliably with the karate school about any unexpected absences.
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Students must be respectful and follow the expectations of the program.
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Families do not need to share detailed personal financial information. The application includes several ways to demonstrate proof of need. This is done so that families don’t have a huge hurdle to apply.
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Students do not have to demonstrate high grades in school. However, the child’s teachers may be asked to recommend whether the child is a good candidate for this opportunity. Feedback from the child’s school teacher and karate teacher will be major contributing factors in whether the scholarship will be awarded.
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Scholarships are available in 3-month increments, with a review every quarter to determine whether to renew/adjust/expire the scholarship.
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The child does not have to demonstrate any particular skill or ability level in martial arts, but does need to show an acceptable level of effort.
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The longer the student receives a scholarship, the more responsibility they have to show leadership and responsibility. The student is expected to demonstrate they are benefitting from the scholarship. This is done through reaching goals, good grades and investing time in helping other students at karate.
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Situations that might reasonably result in financial need include a disruption in family status, job loss or medical bills.
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Situations that are highly unlikely to warrant scholarships include the burden of paying for private school, buying a new car, paying for college, choosing to be a one-income family, getting a new pet, paying for another sport or wanting spending cash from a non-profit (scholarship recipients won’t receive the money -- it will go directly to the karate school.)
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This scholarship is not intended for amateur and professional sports competitions.
Note: Even if all qualifications are met, scholarship awards are limited and not guaranteed to anyone for any reason.
KARATE SCHOOL CERTIFICATION
Students at the following martial arts schools are qualified to apply for scholarship funds:
Pennsylvania
Action Karate
New Jersey
Action Karate
Dinoto
This form is to be filled out by karate schools to receive applicants for the Action Scholarship Fund. Once a karate school is accepted, the eligibility is maintained for a year and renewed on a yearly basis.
STUDENT APPLICATION
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Your scholarship application must include the following found below:
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Completed Application Form
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Form of approval/recommendation from your instructor.
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Once approved, Sign Award Letter and Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
All of these requirements must be included to complete the process. You are responsible for requesting the required letters and signatures from your instructor and school owner.
Questions? Please email: ASF at mtairy@actionkarate.net
Terms and Conditions
There are certain requirements that must be met in order to maintain ASF scholarship funding.
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The scholarship recipient must actively participate in the karate program. This is evidenced by appropriate progression of belt rank and documentation of good attendance (minimum two classes per week). Student participation is to be verified quarterly. Insufficient attendance will result in a probationary period. Unavoidable absences will be excused with reasonable communication. (Ex: Johnny is in the school play tonight. He will be back tomorrow. Or Johnny has a doctor’s appointment or his grandmother is in town. Frequent communication that shows Johnny is maintaining a positive schedule and not home playing video games will help but the more he attends class the better.)
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The student must demonstrate improvement in physical and mental development and will display a positive attitude while participating in the karate program. This will be monitored by the owner/operator of the karate school and will be part of the quarterly reporting required by ASF.
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Financial need must be present to continue to receive ASF scholarship funds. If this need is no longer present, it is the student/parent/guardian’s responsibility to notify ASF. In the absence of such notification of change, financial need is to be reviewed quarterly.
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Schools receiving ASF scholarship funds are expected to host, participate or at least promote ASF fundraisers throughout the year. Requirements of karate school certification must be maintained. ASF reserves the right to monitor these requirements.
If it is determined by ASF that any of the above terms and conditions are not being met, the
student or school owner/operator will have a 30-day probationary period to rectify the situation. If the terms and conditions are still not met at the end of this time, ASF will terminate scholarship funding.
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PART 1
Student Application
To be completed by responsible family member of student.
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PART 2
Community Member Referral
(Optional)
To be completed by community member (example: teacher, social worker, police officer, involved adult) who believes this applicant would benefit from karate instruction.
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PART 3
Karate Instructor Referral
Instructions: To be completed by the owner/instructor of the certified karate studio.
RENEWAL
Students and instructors must reapply every 3 months
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