The Utah Phillips/J. David Singer

Chapter 93 of Veterans For Peace

Peace Scholarship Application

 

From the Statement of Purpose for Veterans For Peace found at www.veteransforpeace.org:

 

We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace and justice. Americans will be secure at home only when there is peace and justice abroad.  To this end, we will work, with others:

 

• Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war,

 

• To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations,

 

• To end the arms race and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons,

 

• To abolish war as an instrument of international policy.

 

• To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is democratic.

 

It is with this statement that The Utah Phillips/J. David Singer Chapter 93 of Veterans For Peace offers our Peace Scholarships where since 2006 we have awarded $30,000 in grants (click here for a complete list). To raise funds for the Peace  Scholarships, the thought was given to having an annual concert on John Lennon's October birthday. We wrote John's widow Yoko Ono and just asked her if this was fine with her. A few week later we received a check for $10,000 to start our program! Since that time, our major fundraiser has been an annual John Lennon concert which could only happen with the work of local musician and yearly concert emcee, Chris Buhalis. We also appreciate all the local musicians that Chris lines up for these concerts and urge everyone to take in their concerts and buy their recordings (see https://www.vfp93.org/john-lennon-concert).

 

It is our intent to award a Michigan resident or someone enrolled in a Michigan institute of higher education, who will pursue studies in a Peace Studies program or other program that actively promotes the study of global conflict resolution or issues of peace and justice, a scholarship ranging from $250 to $5000.  You do not need to be a military veteran to apply for the scholarship. It is our hope that the recipient will align their studies with the principles of the Veterans For Peace and propagate the message of peace well beyond their educational endeavors.

 

Interested applicants should assemble the following materials and either send as attached email forms (preferred) to billshea@umich.edu (add “VFP Scholarship” in subject line) or send via US mail four compiled hard copies to Bill Shea, 803 John A. Wood Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734-662-0818). Applications will be acknowledged and reviewed as they are received with no scholarship deadline dates at the present time. Scholarship award information is released shortly after the award.  

 

• Name,

 

• Address,

 

• Email address,

 

• Phone number,

 

• Proof of Veteran Status, if applicable (copy of DD214, VA Papers, or any governmental agency that shows Veteran status),

 

• Proof of Enrollment in Learning Institution and a declaration of the program which you plan to study including either a program pamphlet or e-link to the program,

 

• A roster and explanation of Community and Service Activities relevant to Peace Studies, or other program that actively promotes the study of global conflict resolution or issues of peace and justice,

 

• Statement of Personal Philosophy (300 words maximum),

 

• Personal Comments—Other things that you’d like us to know about your history, life and activities (300 words maximum),

 

• At least one letter of reference from an academic affiliated with the program of study or a high school teacher/advisor; Additional letters from community leaders, clergy, activists or VFP members are encouraged. 

 

The Utah Phillips/J. David Singer Chapter 93 of Veterans For Peace specifically encourages veterans to apply.  All applicants should contact Bill Shea (billshea@umich.edu) about any questions with the application process. 

 

For a PDF copy of this application, click here

 

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For a list of Peace Scholarships VFP Chapter 93 has awarded, click here

 

VFP Chapter 93 Peace Scholarship Awardee's Thank-You Notes - click here

 

PhD dissertation (Political Soldiers: Sources of Iraq War Veteran Support & Opposition To War) of David Flores that was aided by a VFP 93 Peace Scholarship award - click here