CHARTER

Lao Scholarship Fund (LSF)

Laotian students and professionals in the U.S. and Canada created this fund, with the generous support of donors, in response to our perceived need for a scholarship program that specifically targets the specials needs of Lao youths. We saw a vacuum of programs that directly targets the needs and qualifications of Lao students. Additionally, because we see higher education as a means of progress of our people and preservation of our Lao heritage, we hope to be one tool of many to address the under-representation of Lao students in higher education. Through this fund, we hope to help provide an incentive and capacity for Lao youths to pursue their educational and professional dreams while retaining pride in their heritage and serving as models for future generations. We also hope that the LSF will encourage Lao and non-Lao patrons and organizations to sponsor similar programs that will help promote Lao educational achievement.

The LSF grants scholarships to post-secondary students of Lao descent living in the United States and Canada; those students are not required to study in their respective countries. Donors to the fund will be Lao businesses, individuals, and private corporations. The sources and amounts of donations will be disclosed to the members of LSF on a quarterly basis.

Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit; also considered are personal statements, letters of recommendation, and other factors (i.e. essays and extra-curricular activities) indicating the extent to which the applicants are proud of their Lao heritage. Scholarships are meant as grants paid directly to students or to institutions as funds to offset tuition costs or to supplement the students' income. Scholarship recipients are required to maintain at least full-time status and a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 while on scholarship. Furthermore, recipients are required to dedicate at least five hours per week to tutor/mentor high school and/or junior high school students of Lao descent; this may be accomplished through the recipients' own initiative (that is, the recipients choose their own "tutoree/mentoree") or through an established program (e.g. Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The National Conference).

Applications are reviewed by the Board of Trustees, which makes final selections by majority vote.

Applications are to be received between Jan. 1st and May 1st of the same academic year that the applicants wish to attend school. Final selections shall be made public by July 1st of the same year.

Please send questions to scholars@users.lao.net

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