NIA Scholarship Fund

In order to encourage growth and public awareness of the insulator hobby through collecting, dealing, and educational endeavors, the National Insulator Association, Inc. (NIA) has established the NIA Scholarship Fund. The minimum amount awarded each year for the academic scholarship is $1000.00. This may be increased at the discretion of the scholarship committee. The minimum amount awarded each year for the vocational scholarship is $500.00. This may be increased at the discretion of the scholarship committee.

It is the intention of the NIA and its Board of Directors to award at least one scholarship each year. The number and type of awards given will be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adjust the amount of the award at any time. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the financial balance in the Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are not renewable and no single scholarship award shall exceed $2000.00.

Applicants must be related to a National Insulator Association (NIA) member or be an insulator collector or have a personal knowledge of the insulator collecting hobby. Applicant is not required to be a member of the NIA.

Essay requirements: Applicants are to submit an essay of 300-500 words describing their experiences with collecting insulators and the fellowship of collectors. Applicants may also include how they would benefit from receiving this scholarship.

The Scholarship Application is available on line at:

Scholarship Application

All applications are to be completed and forwarded electronically or by mail to the Scholarship Committee Chairperson.

Email: scholarship@nia.org

The NIA Scholarship Committee Chairperson must receive completed applications for Vocational Scholarships no later than March 1st with enrollment at an eligible educational institution. Applications for Academic Scholarships must be received no later than March 1^st in order to be considered for the following academic year. Applications received that are incomplete or fail to comply with the application instructions will not be considered. Applications will not be returned to the applicant.

Scholarship grant payments will be publicly presented at the Awards Banquet during the NIA National Show and Convention generally held in July. Checks will be mailed to the recipient, but the check will be made payable to the recipient and the educational institution. The payment to the college or university is accompanied by a memorandum explaining the NIA scholarship policies and requesting that the school notify the Association (NIA) if the student does not register or withdraws from school. When a student withdraws, the institution issues a refund check to the NIA. Returned monies are credited to the scholarship fund.

The NIA may make public announcements about awards that have been granted not only to give deserved recognition to the recipient, but also to stimulate additional support for the scholarship program. Press releases to local publications or trade and hobby magazines may, when appropriate, result in a short article or news brief.

The NIA offers an academic scholarship. The scholarship is NOT renewable.

Applicants must complete all elements of the Scholarship Application.
The student’s undergraduate study may be in any academic area.
Applicants must be enrolled full time and be a candidate for a bachelor's or an associate's degree at an eligible accredited educational institution, and the scholarship must be used to pay qualified education expenses.
You are a candidate for a degree if you attend a secondary school or are pursuing a degree at a college or university, or you attend an accredited educational institution that is authorized to provide a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s or higher degree.
You are a candidate for a degree if you attend a junior college or online program through an accredited institution, are pursuing a degree at a college or university, or you attend an accredited educational institution that is authorized to provide a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a degree.
An eligible educational institution is one that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.
Qualified education expenses are for tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution. They also include course related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required of all students in your course of instruction.

The NIA offers a vocational scholarship. The scholarship is not renewable.

Applicants must complete all applicable elements of the Scholarship Application
Eligible candidates must be enrolled full time in a course of instruction in any vocational field of study.
Applicants must be a candidate for a degree at an eligible educational institution, and the scholarship must be used to pay qualified education expenses.
You are a candidate for a degree if you attend an accredited educational institution that is authorized to provide a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
An eligible educational institution is one that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.
Qualified education expenses are for tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible educational institution. They also include course related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required of all students in your course of instruction.

Applications for scholarships must be completed and received by the NIA Scholarship Committee no later than March 1st with the enrollment at an eligible educational institution to be considered. Applications received that are incomplete or fail to comply with the application instructions will not be considered. Applications will not be returned to the applicant. Winners will be notified by June 1.

The following PDF documents provide an application and scholarship guide:

Scholarship Application