Mike Nash Memorial Scholarship Fund

Click here for a SCholarship application

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) was founded in 1978. In 1986 the organization received it’s congressional charter and it remains the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization devoted exclusively to improving the lives of those who served in uniform during this nation’s longest and most divisive war.

As the leading advocate for Vietnam veterans, VVA provides support and assistance in securing earned benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs; plays an active role in government relations advocacy at the national and state levels to improve benefits and services available to our nation’s veterans; and extends a helping hand to members, dependents and orphans and widows of deceased Vietnam veterans.

The Mike Nash Scholarship Fund was established in 1991. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) established a scholarship program to provide financial assistance to: Vietnam era veterans, dependent children, grandchildren, and orphans and widows of deceased Vietnam veterans, for costs associated with undergraduate studies at accredited educational/technical institutions.

WHO WAS MIKE NASH?

Mike Nash
At-Large member of the
VVA National Board of Directors - 1997

On May 24, 1997, Mike Nash died unexpectedly at his home computer while putting some final touches on his preparations for an upcoming Veterans Initiative Task Force trip to Vietnam. Both within and out of VVA, he was often referred to as “The Gentle Lion”, a big round man with a ready room-lighting smile and a hearty laugh, a leprechaun’s twinkle in his eyes, and a full bushy gray beard that made you think of Santa Claus or Bert Lahr playing the lion in the Wizard of Oz.

He was especially committed to addressing the POW/MIA issue to help obtain a proper resolution of this very complex issue. But Mike was not a single-issue kind of guy. He held a vast array of officer and committee positions at all levels of VVA since joining VVA Chapter 154 (Mt. Clemens, MI) in 1988 and becoming a VVA Life Member in 1990. At the time of his death he was completing his first term as an At-Large member of the VVA National Board of Directors. He chaired both the POW/MIA Committee and the National Scholarship Program. He came from the heartland of America and prided himself on simply being part of, and a fervent representative of, VVA’s grass roots.

SCHOLARSHIP YEAR

All scholarships awarded will be awarded for one scholarship year only and recipients must resubmit to be considered for a subsequent year.

The Scholarship year is considered the school year, fall through spring (generally September through May). The years coincide with the scholastic years, Freshman through Senior.

EVALUATION of APPLICATIONS

Applications will be reviewed in early July of each year with the results being announced at the biennial VVA National Convention or the Leadership Conference. Shortly thereafter, letters will be sent to all applicants notifying them of the results with checks also being sent to the winners.

Applicants will be evaluated based upon completeness of their application, demonstrated need and finally their grade point average. They, obviously, must demonstrate the potential ability for completing post high school education.

DISBURSEMENT of SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Scholarship funds will be disbursed at the decision of the applicant - either to the applicant himself/herself or to the educational institution. It should be noted that if funds are disbursed directly to the student, VVA is required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, to complete an IRS form 1099 indicating that the student has received a specific amount of money, send one copy to the student, and one copy to the IRS.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicant must:

• Be a Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) member; a spouse, child, stepchild or grandchild of a VVA member; or a spouse, child, stepchild or grandchild of an MIA, KIA or deceased Vietnam veteran.
• Be registered to attend a minimum of half time (as determined by the institution), an accredited educational/technical college or university or post-secondary institution.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must submit the following by May 31st (of each year):

• A completed application form.
• High school or college transcripts.
• Photocopy of SAT, ACT, or other acknowledged testing source results.
• Letter of acceptance from a college, university or post-secondary training institution.
• Copy of form DD-214 and death certificate from the related Vietnam era veteran, if the veteran is deceased.
• Academic standing for the year prior to application for the scholarship.
• Statement describing financial need to include copy of parent and applicant’s most current year personal Income Tax form (IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040ES, etc.). This statement of need should include a budget reflecting all costs such as tuition, books, fees, room and board (if away from home), etc. Then indicate how these costs will be met such as scholarships, grants, savings, parents, etc.
• Two letters of reference from current or former teachers, academic advisors, employers, ministers, etc., attesting to applicants character.
• A letter in the applicant’s own words, expressing current educational goals and objectives, individual accomplishments and any other personal information that may assist in the selection process.

CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence and questions concerning the Mike Nash Scholarship Program should be directed to:

MIKE NASH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
c/o VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA
8605 CAMERON STREET, SUITE 400
SILVER SPRING, MD 20910-3710
301-585-4000
E-mail: finance@vva.org