What is being awarded?
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a candidate pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree in the mental health field.

How long will the scholarship last?
The scholarship will be awarded to a candidate for one year.
Candidates may reapply for additional years.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Currently enrolled or accepted into a graduate program majoring in the mental health field in the United States. Programs must be accredited by the credentialing agency appropriate to the field of study. 
2. Provide evidence of past involvement in extracurricular, volunteer, research, and/or career-related activities.
3. Demonstrate experience and interest in one or more of the ideals to which Melanie Merola O’Donnell committed herself.  

What are the application requirements?

• Curriculum vitae and cover letter. Please include e-mail address.
• Official undergraduate transcripts and/or official graduate transcripts.
• Three letters of reference supporting the candidate’s application from adults who have known the candidate for more than 1 year (at least one from a professional in the mental health field, another from an individual who has known the candidate either personally or professionally for 5 years or more). Letters of reference should be sent with the applicant's completed application packet. Each letter should be in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal.
• A typed (double-spaced) essay of no more than 2-3 pages on how your experiences in the mental health profession have shaped your life and how you will use your college and graduate education to assist communities in a manner consistent with Melanie Merola O’Donnell’s values of compassion, generosity, respect, and honesty.
• Please mail all application documents together.
• As an option you may choose one of the following quotes to incorporate into your statement:
• Amelia Earhart - "Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn't be done."
• Yogi Berra - "If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be."
• Robert Frost - "The best way out is always through."
• C.S. Lewis - "Failures are the fingerposts on the road to achievement."

Deadline

• Deadline for receipt of the 2009 completed scholarship application is February 8, 2010.
• Scholarship recipient will be personally notified and publicly announced by June 15, 2010. All other applicants will be notified electronically.
• The Melanie Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, Vietnam-era or disabled veteran status in its selection process. 

If you have questions, please contact Kara Waters (kwatkk@aol.com or 518-587-2119) or Colleen Sanita (csanita@nycap.rr.com or 518-928-4623).
  
Mail Complete Application Package to:
The Melanie Foundation Committee
Mrs. Kara Waters
34 Wedgewood Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866