SHS Teacher Scholarships

THE THOMAS F. ROUSH SCHOLARSHIP FOR SHAWNEE EDUCATORS (2025-26)

Dr. Thomas F. Roush is a 1993 graduate of Lima Shawnee High School and was selected as a Shawnee High School Distinguished Alumnus in 2019. He elected to pursue a career in medicine and has achieved recognition and success as an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Roush credits his career success in part to the educational foundation he received at Shawnee. In addition, his immediate family includes career educators and he recognizes and appreciates the daily challenges to be met by teachers, as well as the financial obstacles to their career professional development. To assist Shawnee High School educators in their pursuit of further professional development, Dr. Roush has generously established and funded the Thomas F. Roush Scholarship for Shawnee Educators.

The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund has been designated as the oversight group for the scholarship and is tasked with thoughtfully selecting recipients and awarding scholarships. A scholarship recipient must be 1) employed as a teacher at Lima Shawnee High School; and 2) seeking to pursue and obtain an advanced degree (Masters or doctorate) in education or an education-related field of study. A teacher- applicant seeking to pursue an advanced degree in guidance counseling or school administration will also be considered to be eligible for consideration for an award from the scholarship fund. Scholarships will be awarded two times each year. Scholarships may be awarded to more than one recipient during each scholarship award cycle.

The Thomas F. Roush Scholarship for Shawnee Educators is established as a reimbursement scholarship payable to the recipient after the successful completion of a particular class toward completion of the degree being pursued. An applicant awarded a scholarship from the fund will be notified in writing that the scholarship has been awarded and of the maximum amount approved for the scholarship. The maximum annual scholarship award amount will be $5,000.00 per recipient. The recipient will thereafter be reimbursed the amount expended by the recipient for tuition and fees up to the previously approved amount of the award. Reimbursement will be made to the recipient upon written documentation submitted by the recipient to the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund establishing 1) successful completion of the classwork for which reimbursement is being sought by the recipient; and 2) a billing statement from the educational institution establishing the amount to be reimbursed to the recipient.

FAQs for the Teacher Scholarship

1. What are the qualifications to apply for a Scholarship? A scholarship recipient must be 1) employed as a full-time teacher at Lima Shawnee High School and 2) seeking to pursue and obtain an advanced degree (Master’s or doctorate) in education or an education-related field of study. A teacher-applicant seeking to pursue an advanced degree in guidance counseling or school administration will also be considered to be eligible for consideration for an award from the scholarship graduate program.

2. What is the deadline for the Scholarship application? There are two scholarship award cycles each year. Application submissions received between April 1 and June 30 in each calendar year will be considered for approval on or after July 1 of that year. Application submissions received between October 1 and December 31 will be considered on or after January 1 of the following calendar year.

3. Can I apply more than once per year? Yes, applicants may apply for a scholarship in each award cycle. Scholarships may be awarded to more than one recipient during each scholarship award cycle.

4. How are completed applications submitted? The application must be submitted by scanning and emailing the completed application to info@limashawneescholarshipfund.org. Please state “Attention: Teacher Scholarship” in the subject line. Only fully completed applications will be considered for a reimbursement scholarship.

5. When will applicants know if they have been awarded a scholarship? The scholarship committee will endeavor to make decisions regarding scholarship applications within 90 days after the end of the applicable application period. Successful applicants will thereafter be notified of the maximum amount of the scholarship they have been awarded. Notification of the award will be made by email. Please make sure that you have provided your best and most recent email address.

6. How will the scholarship funds be distributed/disbursed for each recipient? The Shawnee Teacher’s Scholarships are reimbursement awards given after the successful completion of class work in a graduate degree program and submission of the charges and official bill for completed coursework. This means that the recipient of the scholarship will be reimbursed for their education related expenses up to the maximum amount awarded that recipient upon submission of 1) proof of acceptance into a graduate degree program, 2) the required documentation of the expenses for which reimbursement is being sought, and 3) proof of successful completion of the class or classes which had been submitted by the applicant in the scholarship application and approved for payment by the scholarship committee.

7. What is the process for receiving scholarship funds, reimbursement after completing the coursework? Two documents must be submitted to receive the scholarship funds that have been awarded: 1) a copy of the transcript or official record showing successful completion of the particular class, and 2) a copy of an official bill from the academic institution for accompanying tuition and fees. Submit these documents to: info@limashawneescholarshipfund.org “Attention: Teacher Scholarship” in the subject line.

Sample application follows this page. To download a PDF application, click here.

Roush Educator Scholarship Application

Please fully complete each section of the application. If there are still questions that have not been addressed please, submit any further inquiries to info@limashawneescholarshipfund.org.

Applicant Information

Full Name: _________________________________________________________________

Primary Email: _________________________________________________________________

(Please make sure that this email is the one you use most often. Most of our communication will be by email).

Phone Number: _________________________________________________________________

Personal Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

School Information

What position do you currently hold at Shawnee High School? __________________________________

How long have you held this position? _______________________________________________________

What other professional positions have you previously held within the Shawnee Local School District? __________________________________________________________________

What classes are you currently teaching? _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Do you have any other extracurricular responsibilities within the Lima Shawnee Local School District? (Specify)

__________________________________________________________________

Please list any committees within the school district on which you have previously served, or on which you are currently serving.

__________________________________________________________________

Please list any other professional or community activities in which you have served outside Shawnee High School.

__________________________________________________________________

Please list any awards which you have received or otherwise been recognized in connection to your work as an educator.

__________________________________________________________________

Principal’s Name: __________________________________________________________________

Principal’s Phone Number: __________________________________________________________________

Principal’s E-Mail Address: __________________________________________________________________

Coursework Information

Please select the certification or level of higher education that the applicant is applying for:

Master’s PhD Other: ____________________________

Please indicate the Major or Subject Area: ____________________________________________________

Please list the name and address of the Institution from which you will be pursuing this degree and the college or department where you will be enrolled. For example: University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art and Architecture, Degree in Urban Planning.

College/University Name: ___________________________________________________________________

College/University Address: _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

College/Department: ___________________________________________________________________

If applicable, degree: ___________________________________________________________________

Have you been accepted to this program? If yes, please attach information indicating your acceptance. If not, please indicate where you are in the process of being accepted.

YES
NO ___________________________________________________________________

Please list any classes you have already successfully completed toward the advanced degree.

___________________________________________________________________

When do you anticipate completion of the advanced degree program and the award of your degree?

___________________________________________________________________

Educational Expenses

Please provide your best estimate of the anticipated expenses related to the completion of the advanced degree requirements for the degree which you are pursuing. (We realize and understand that this is only an estimate.)

Tuition and Fees: ___________________________________________________________________

Books and Supplies: __________________________________________________________________

Transportation: ___________________________________________________________________

Other (please list): ___________________________________________________________________

Total Cost: ____________________________________________________________________

Short Essay Questions

Please submit as a separate attached document. Maximum 200 words per answer.

1) Describe the competencies, skills and new knowledge that you will gain from this educational development opportunity and how this will provide you with those skills and information.

2) Describe the impact that the educational opportunity will have on your classroom, career, and school community. Include how you plan to implement and incorporate the new knowledge and skills you will gain.

3) What have you done to continue the legacy of Shawnee excellence?

Additional information for consideration by the review committee

Please share as a separate attached document any additional information you would like the review committee to know or consider concerning your application.

To the best of my knowledge, this information is accurate and up to date.

___________________________________________ _________________

Signature Date