CMA Scholarship Program Description

The following description is drawn from the Spring 2019 CMA Newsletter about the Clan McAlister of America Scholarship Fund, with additional information regarding the scholarship process based on Frank McAlister’s experience on the Committee.

CMA was organized in 1990 to encourage interest in McAlister family history and genealogy, to get to know other McAlisters, foster family unity, and to encourage young McAs to continue an interest in family and in this organization.

In 2005, a scholarship program was instituted to heighten the interest of our youth in education and perhaps in the CMA. Beginning in 2006, we began awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors or college freshmen. Twenty students, either children or grandchildren of members, have received a total of $11,650 as of 2019. Many are now college graduates working all over the country.

The CMA Scholarship Fund is solely funded by donations. Some members contribute to the fund in memory of or in honor of someone. Donations should be so designated and are to be sent to the Treasurer, either by check made out to Clan McAlister of America and indicating the name of the person being remembered or honored, or by using the donation link through PayPal on the CMA website.

CMA scholarships have been in the amount of $500, with a few exceptions. They were initiated when the CMA general funds were growing steadily at the peak of our membership. When our bank account stopped growing, the Board decided that scholarships should only be funded from donations, not from our general fund.

Applicants are asked to submit personal information, a narrative autobiographical sketch along with a resume, three letters of reference (one must be from a current or former teacher, counselor, administrator, etc.), and an official transcript with optional SAT/ACT scores included. The applicants are rated on grades, test scores, autobiographical sketch, extracurricular activities, community and religious activities, work experiences, and references.

The Scholarship Committee members independently evaluate each application and rank them, awarding up to five points for each criterion: grades, test scores, essay, extra-curricular activities, community activities, work experiences, and references. The Chairperson aggregates the scores and presents the winner(s).

All scholarship awardees can be found on the CMA Website at: CMA Scholarships Awarded.