Dave Obey Young Adult Civic Engagement Award Application

One $2,000, non-renewable scholarship will be awarded to a young person who demonstrates leadership abilities including initiative, integrity and service to others. The review committee will also be looking for demonstration of a commitment to civic engagement through building relationships throughout the community and working toward positive change.

The scholarship is in honor of former Wisconsin Congressman David R. Obey, who served central and northern Wisconsin as a representative from 1969 to 2011. Eligibility for the scholarship requires that the recipient be a resident of or be enrolled in an educational institution located within the district that Congressman Obey served. (See below for specific counties.)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered, the applicant must:

1. Be a college, technical college or university student, aged 18 to 25, either residing in or attending an educational institution within one of the following Wisconsin counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor,
Vilas, Washburn, Wood

2. Must already have earned a high school diploma.

3. Be enrolled in an Associate degree or Bachelor degree program during the 2024-2025 academic year, earning at least six credits each semester of the year.

4. Demonstrate leadership abilities including initiative, integrity and service to others, as well as a commitment to civic engagement through building relationships throughout their community.

5. Submit an essay of no more than 500 words explaining why they deserve this scholarship.

6. Submit a letter of recommendation from an adult (a non-family member).

7. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Transcripts should NOT be submitted with the application. The selected applicant will be asked to submit a school transcript which includes information on coursework during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Application deadline is 11:59PM on March 31, 2025
For any questions, email info@wipps.org.
*Employees, board members, interns or fellows of WIPPS and their family members are not eligible for this award.